[sbu_large_image] World Cup 2014
12 June 2014 1055 comments
Paul Paul
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Finally, the waiting is almost over. As Fantasy managers continue to fine-tune their squads right up until the last possible minute ahead of Brazil’s clash with Croatia, we thought we’d give you a handy, all-in-one recap of our coverage over the last few weeks:

If you’re stuck for ideas, need a couple of cheap punts to consider or just fancy an extra bit of swatting up, we’ve plenty for you to consume. Listed below is our team-by-team analysis for all 32 contenders for the trophy. We also give you a reminder of the four main games we’re covering over the next month or so before casting an eye over some of the standout articles from our brand new community section.

The Games to Play

There are four games which Fantasy Football Scout will be covering over the summer. The first game we looked at was Fantasy iTeam, a free World Cup game available on a number of mobile devices, including iPhone, iPad, iPodTouch and Android. There’s a £5,000 holiday to be won for the overall winner and a £500 voucher available for the winner of our official Fantasy Football Scout League. Click here for details and here to sign up.

We’ve covered the FantasyiTeam game over a trio of articles. First up was an introduction piece, followed by a Rule Guide and, finally, we took a look at some of the Budget Options available for your starting line-ups.

We are pleased to say we are continuing to support PlayON over the summer. A weekly game that we’ve covered in the previous domestic season, they’ve built a brand new website over at www.playon.co in time for the tournament’s kick-off. We’ve rolled out a trio of pieces – an introduction article and a Rule Guide and a Player Picks piece for Round 1.

The third game we’re looking at is the Fox Sports game. Many managers on site are also involved due to the similarities with the Fantasy Premier League game – little wonder, given that’s it’s made by the same team. We’ve published a Rule Guide and a look at the budget options for this Australian-based game over the last few days.

We’re also covering the official FIFA McDonald’s game. Belatedly launched just a few days ago, it’s been a popular pick around these parts in the previous couple of international tournaments but with the makers still tinkering with the rules, it’s proven to be a somewhat frustrating experience this time around. Nonetheless, the level of interest on site will ensure we keep a keen eye on matters – we’ve rolled out an in-depth Rule Guide and have also taken a look at the Player Price List, offering suggestions for your 23-man squads.

The Scout Leagues

For Fantasy iTeam, the league name is Fantasy Football Scout and the code is 4915.

For the Fox Sports game, the league name is Fantasy Football Scout and the code is 1096-822.

For the official FIFA McDonald’s game, the league name is fantasyfootballscout. Click here to join.

The Articles to Read

Listed below is our guide to every one of the 32 team involved in Brazil 2014, broken down on a group-by-group basis.

Group A – Brazil,Cameroon, Croatia, Mexico

Group B – Australia, Chile, Holland, Spain

Group C – Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast, Japan

Group D – Costa Rica, England, Italy, Uruguay

Group E – Ecuador, France, Honduras, Switzerland

Group F –Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria,

Group G – Germany, Ghana, Portugal, USA

Group H – Algeria, Belgium, Russia, South Korea

The Community Articles

Our newly-launched Community section has been an overwhelming success so far, with a number of impressive articles focussing on the World Cup.

Our very own Jonty has looked at the Predicted Line Ups and formations for all 32 teams, with many of the community helping with our updates over the last few days.

DanielLevy16 has written some extensive articles analysing the Player Prices in the FIFA McDonald’s game. Going through the positions, he’s looked at Goalkeepers, Defenders, Midfielders and Forwards.

Home Run Baker has analysed the Strength of Schedule for all teams over the group stages. Another fine read is The Sarjeant’s Defence and Attack Rating for Group E-H.

One Keano has rolled out an Injuries Round Up and has also hand-picked Five La Liga Stars to Shine over the upcoming tournament.

Balotellis Bib has also been prolific. He’s looked at the Likely Replacements who could benefit from their team-mates’ absence and has also scouted the top four favourites for the tournament. For some extra reading, have a look at his thoughts on Spain, Brazil, Argentina and Germany. For more community articles, click here.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

  1. Canadian Football
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Top Midfielder in the McD's Game.....

    Who do you reckon?

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    1. Canadian Football
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      money no object

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      1. chrisjdgrady
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Di Maria

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      2. The Enlightener
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Oscar

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        1. Total Foot 5
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          oscar risk william will coe 2nd half almost sure and also even get his start spot

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    2. inderjeet xi
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      di maria definitely coz hes cheap and got a good group

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    3. Evs
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      I love Iniesta, so I'm getting him.

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      1. Canadian Football
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Looks like YYT is going to burn me again......i just took him out on account of his injury

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        1. Total Foot 5
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          canada how SURE ru of yaya injury and not startin? i have him also...but now...

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    4. Total Foot 5
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      di maria , muller, and then haz / robben

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  2. System builder
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Have Cillissen [Netherlands] and Kokorin [Russia]

    But need a defender of 4m

    Zeroed on to Daley Blind[Netherlands] and Kombarov[Russia]

    Which of these two defenders should I consider?

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    1. nashi
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      zapata from colombia

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      1. System builder
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        How good is he compared to Blind [who is versatile] and Kombarov [who will have set piece duties]?

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        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          Kombarov. Endov. 😉

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        2. nashi
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          nailed on in very good team, reasonably easy group

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    2. Canadian Football
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Kombarov....on penos

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  3. LewanGOALski
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    7 mln midfielder to go with ?

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    1. The Enlightener
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Take a good look at the French trio of Pogba, Matuidi and Cabaye.

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      1. LewanGOALski
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Already have 3 French - Evra, Valbuena, Benzema

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      2. The Enlightener
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Valbuena not to be overlooked either, and many may laugh at this, but Bradley (USA) is at least worth entertaining. Take it from a USA'er.

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        1. The Enlightener
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          Aha. Wrote this after you responded. Bradley, Marchisio? Just two ideas.

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          1. LewanGOALski
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            no love for Kroos or Xabi Alonso ?

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            1. The Enlightener
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 9 months ago

              Not bad either. Quite a few options to go with indeed.

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              1. LewanGOALski
                • 14 Years
                11 years, 9 months ago

                I think I'm set to go with 1 of those. Which one would you go for if you need to choose only between Kroos and Alonso ?

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                1. The Enlightener
                  • 12 Years
                  11 years, 9 months ago

                  Man, that is a really tough call. Might be the kind that is best decided with a coin flip.

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                  1. LewanGOALski
                    • 14 Years
                    11 years, 9 months ago

                    May be, true..

                    Thanks for the input anyways 🙂

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                    1. The Enlightener
                      • 12 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      If I had to, had to, had to, I would pick Kroos.

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          2. Canadian Football
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            Bradley plays for my home town club....the guys is class....do not let the fact that he plays in MLS fool you

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            1. The Enlightener
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 9 months ago

              Exactly. He is pure class all the way.

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        2. chrisjdgrady
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          Yea Bradley has been great gotta say.

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    2. nashi
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Shaqiri, Switzerland

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  4. Invincibles
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Sorry had to repost

    Need help but have plenty of cash

    Cillessen - mbolhi - lopez
    Evra - alderweireld - rojo - kombarov - balanta - montes - montazeri
    J rodriguez - di maria - paulinho - pogba - KDB - bentaleb
    Messi - Hulk - Dzeko - Heydari

    7m in the bank

    please help!

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    1. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Neymar over Hulk

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  5. crystalpalaceRus
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Why is my only option when trying to join the league 'invite friends' i havent seen a join button at all (mcdonalds)

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    1. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      I think that might mean you've already joined

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  6. Magerost
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Playing a fantasy version with no subs, so need a good team.
      Team value is the factor in this game, no points. Value for assist,goals,cs mainly.

      Barry
      Kompany,D.Alves,Kombarov,Rodriguez
      Valbuena,Di Maria,Oscar
      Messi,Lukaku,Fred

      You are allowed to make as many changes you like between round I think!
      Each transfer cost 1% of the player value.

      How does the team look?

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    • Mini League Fatigue
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      dont see any teams with Drogba...why not?

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      1. Canadian Football
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        no yaya possibly.....better options imho ie Sanchez at a similar price

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      2. Conrad.
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        dont know. i've got him. tho, i'm playing a diff game, where he's very cheap.

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        1. Darth
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          PlayON Player Picks - Round 1 2 hours, 9 mins ago
          @BenDinnery: Didier Drogba has given #CIV an injury scare ahead of their WC opener vs #JPA after limping out of training yesterday with a thigh problem Perhaps this gives Bony an opportunity » Read

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          1. Conrad.
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            ah hell.

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    • The class of 92
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Benzema or Lukaku? First to five. Thanks

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      1. Canadian Football
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        I like having a decent striker on the final day as a last chance (C) option...

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        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          You will have mail ...

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          1. Canadian Football
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            not there....go to UEFA council for email and send againif you please.

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            1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              11 years, 9 months ago

              Eurgh!

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            2. Canadian Football
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              11 years, 9 months ago

              oh found it ......im not playing the mirror game unfortunately ....thanks for thinking of me

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        2. The class of 92
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          I'm playing the mirror game so that doesn't matter for me. Just which will score more?

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      2. nashi
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Benzema x5

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    • Jimbo123
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Thoughts on this lot ???

      Lloris
      Alderweireld, Kolasinac, Daley Blind, Kombarov, Cholevas, Rojo
      Oscar, Angel DI MARIA, Juan Cuadrado, Kevin DE BRUYNE, Mathieu Valbuena, Bentaleb
      Neymar, Higuain, Giroud, Lukaku, Shojaei

      Thanks....

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    • vova
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      If money was no issue, which mid would pick?

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      1. nashi
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        James Rodriguez

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      2. Canadian Football
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        YYT but not sure if he will play the first game.

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    • nashi
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      my midfield in McD is

      de Bruyne, Valbuena, J Rodriguez, Misimovic, Shaqiri + 3 fillers

      i have 1,5 ITB and can afford the likes of Iniesta, di Maria, Ozil, Pirlo, would you replace anyone from my roster?

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      1. chrisjdgrady
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Replace Shaqiri or Misi with one of them definitely

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    • Conrad.
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      can't switch captains in the game i'm playing...Neymar, Di Maria, Muller or Sanchez for the armband?

      (forward goals are 3 pts, midfield goals are 5 pts, assists are 2 pts, shots on target are 1 pt)

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    • cruzex
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Fellaino or KDB? why?!

      Who will play behind lukaku???

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      1. chrisjdgrady
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        kdb cause fellaini is shite

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      2. Ghost Ship
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Question might be whether Felleini will be on the pitch:
        http://www.zonalmarking.net/2014/06/10/belgium-can-they-succeed-without-proper-full-backs/

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    • Wirtzle Gummidge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      .5 to spend, all think of is doing Alderweireld to Vertonghen/Vermalean... but which one?

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      1. chrisjdgrady
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        vert id say

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        1. Wirtzle Gummidge
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          cheers

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    • Ghost Ship
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Is there a match on tonight or something?

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    • Gilbo88
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Now Sagna to City! Bad day for Arsenal!

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      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Good day for Arsenal. Sagna is past his sell-by!

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      2. chrisjdgrady
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        official?

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        1. Open Controls
    • JT's Dog
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Nike ad
        Brilliant

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      • System builder
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        final squad looks like this..
        Vastly different from the squad that I had yesterday.

        Cillessen, Karnezis, Mbohli
        Kombarov, Rojo, Evra, Alderweireld, Cholevas, [2 cheapies]
        Di Maria,Valbuena, Iniesta, Ozil, De Bryune [3 cheapies]
        Messi, Neymar, Kokorin, Cavani, Cheapie

        Not my best team for sure, but is it good enough?

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        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          8 1/2. Yes!

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          1. System builder
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            IMDB rating for my team? Aah, I get it, You balled a Doosra. 😀

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            1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              11 years, 9 months ago

              Hahaha!!!

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              1. System builder
                • 13 Years
                11 years, 9 months ago

                BTW, good luck you and your Italian Stallions. 🙂

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        2. Prime
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          Freakishly close to mine

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          1. System builder
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            Yikes. Captain and VC having very much the similar teams?? Lord help France FFS team. 😀

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            1. Prime
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 9 months ago

              2-0 headstart in every game you mean 😉

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              1. System builder
                • 13 Years
                11 years, 9 months ago

                Yup. 🙂

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        3. Camp No No
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          This looks so god I wonder how it is affordable.

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          1. Camp No No
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            *good, but perhaps that works here too.

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          2. System builder
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            It is affordable. Question is can these players reward me with some good points? 😉

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            1. Camp No No
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 9 months ago

              I was thinking more of massive points, but maybe they'll only produce you good ones. 😉

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              1. System builder
                • 13 Years
                11 years, 9 months ago

                Any thing other than just playing points is good enough for me. I just don't expect to be #1. I just want to be in top 50k out of all those players playing the McD game. 😉

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      • Baby Face Nelson
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        No love for Klose? he's a world cup goal machine

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        1. Give The Todd Some Love
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          If I knew he'd start I'd definitely go for him

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      • 1966 was a great year for E…
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Anyone having problems making transfers on the Mirror site?

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        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          Nope.

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      • Give The Todd Some Love
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Kolasinac or Mena?

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      • Root
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        A) Kroos
        or
        B) Xabi Alonso

        Halp pls.

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        1. Kevin Twine
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          B

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      • good biashara
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Yes, finally happy with my team, I'm done!

        Karnezis - Benaglio - 1
        Alves - Alba - Vertonghen - Rojo - Kombarov - 1 - 1
        Di Maria - Pirlo - Cuadrado - Pjanic - Najar - 1.5 - 1 - 1
        Messi - Hulk - Lukaku - Aboubaker - 1

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      • crystalpalaceRus
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        why is there walking trees on my tv

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      • Ben Mee Over A Table
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Karnezis, Dauda, Mbolhi

        Alderweireld, Kombarov, Blind, Rojo (cheapies)

        Di Maria, Iniesta, Gerrard, JRod De Bruyne (cheapies)

        Messi (c), Neymar, Costa, Drmic (cheapy)

        Thoughts?

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        1. Give The Todd Some Love
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          Gerrard isn't worth it

          Drmic could be an interesting pick

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          1. Ben Mee Over A Table
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            Thanks Todd, up top *high five*

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            1. Give The Todd Some Love
              • 14 Years
              11 years, 9 months ago

              No worries Herbert

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      • banskt
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Last decision:

        A. Messi + Cuadrado
        B. Higuain + James Rodriguez

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        1. Ben Mee Over A Table
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          Gotta have Messi.

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          1. banskt
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            Higuain can return the points as well.

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      • Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Can somebody link me to the UEFA Council Spreadsheet???

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          1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            Thank you - you are a mate! 🙂

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      • Wirtzle Gummidge
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Pretty just sure that tree was wearing glasses.

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        1. The Enlightener
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          As long as the trees don't start eating people, like in Poltergeist.

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      • chrisjdgrady
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        To Alba or not to Alba

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      • Bubz
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        I knew I shouldn't have taken those shrooms

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