[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. iCon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    When do we find out our opponents and can we see their teams?

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    1. Mr Sarcastic
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Is there any mids for 2m who actually plays?

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      1. Mr Sarcastic
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        ups,sorry nothing to see here....

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    2. iCon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Is Zemmamouche definitely starting over Mbohli?

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      1. iCon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Oops, sorry nothing to see here....

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

        Absolutely not!

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        1. iCon
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          Good man Doos; I need to stop worrying and just leave my team alone!

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

            Yep. Having said that, I am keeping an eye on Alba ... 😀

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  2. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    These kids are sick at football. England should get em

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  3. Supernova
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Evening all.

    Anyone got any clarity on captains? Rules say you can change, but can you only change once?

    Or can I go someone from day 1, if they don't do well, switch to someone from day 2, if they don't do well switch.. etc?

    Or is it just if your captain doesn't do well, you can have 1 other chance to choose a good one?

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    1. CABAYE4
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Don't see any reason why you can't change every game.

      That said, I'm covering bases by not captaining Cesar tonight.

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

        no neymar? 😕

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        1. CABAYE4
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          No Neymar indeed.

          Now he's been in Europe, people have worked him out.

          Not saying he won't score goals, but I prefer Benzema and Alexis.

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

        I'm demanding a refund if this is not the case.

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      3. GreenWindmill
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        I took the captaincy off Cesar once they reduced the value of a clean sheet for a goalie 😡

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  4. yash
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone else going with Gerrard?Is it wise to go with him?

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

      I'd say no. He's pretty expensive and England won't score many goals

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

    Can you make subs after every match, rather than after every day?

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

      it's unclear to me

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  6. tw
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    how are you structuring your defense? as in how many budget defs? how many mid range? and how many expensive ones?

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

      I got Belgian, Argentinian, greek, Iranian, French, Honduras and a non playing one, so pretty cheap

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  7. BigManBakar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    @Valar: Are you sure Lukaku is fit enough to start?

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  8. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    FIFA WC Fantasy League-
    en.mcdonalds.fantasy.fifa.com/leagues/invite/18451
    Everybody welcome to join 🙂

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    1. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      en.mcdonalds.fantasy.fifa.com/leagues/18451 *

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  9. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Should I keep De Sciglio if I dont intend on playing him until the Costa Rica match? He has injured his calf apparently.

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    1. CABAYE4
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Surely you'd use him in McD's, or is this a different game?

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

        Fox

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    2. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      He has suffered a calf injury & is at the hospital right now for medical tests.

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

        Thats why Im asking!

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        1. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          As we don't have transfers in group stages, I don't think its worth keeping him in.

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

            Sorry this is for the Fox game

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    3. TheSteady ¤ Wines th…
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      I would get him out, it COULD get worse.

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  10. CABAYE4
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Are we any clearer on if you can change formation with your manager subs?

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

      If you follow what is written - no IMO. But with this game, we actually we can't say anything for sure

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  11. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    I enjoy how nobody seems to know the rules for McDonald's...

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

      not sure the people running the game even know the rules for the mcdonalds game 🙄

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      1. GREENDREAMS11
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        ive been trying to work it out but its a right burger

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

    Team done:

    Cillessen - Karnezis - Zemmamouche
    Evra - Alderweireld - Kombarov - Rojo - 1.5 - 1.0 - 1.0
    Di Maria - Kroos - Cuadrado - KDB - Valbuena - Lulic - 1.5 - 1.0
    Messi - Neymar - Benzema - Lukaku - 1.0

    thoughts? 🙂

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

      Kroos is he a starter?

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

        I will be surprised if he's not

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

          You still have 4 other nailed on mids, so I guess that is not a big problem for you. Team looks good to me.

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    2. TheSteady ¤ Wines th…
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Looks very good,

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    3. Thomass
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Only 3 playing def?

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

        4?

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

          Ahh didn't see do us proud!

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  13. TheSteady ¤ Wines th…
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    RATE MY TEAM FOR THE GROUP STAGES

    Playing a fantasy game(norwegian), where we have such a friendly budget.
    Similar to FPL, ALBEIT:
    ¤ 3 extra points to a player who wins a game
    ¤ No baps or recovered balls awarded
    ¤ 3 transfers each round, in the group stages at least
    + Brazil plays 2 times in the 1st round, and none in the 2nd

    Cesar(5.0)
    Sakho(4.5) ¤ Vertonghen(5.0) ¤ Evra(5.0)
    Oscar(8.0) ¤ KDB(7.0) ¤ Muller(9.0) ¤ Di Maria(8.5)
    Sanchez(8.5) ¤ Neymar(9.5)(C) ¤ Messi(11.0)

    Bench: Cillessen(3.5) - Garay(5.5) - Janmaat(3.5) - cheapie(3.0)

    Plan for 2nd round:
    Neymar, Sanchez, Oscar ➡ Robben/RVP, Ronaldo, and in-form midfielder

    Cheers! 😀

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  14. jasper
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    when will the teams be announced

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  15. Mr Sarcastic
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Any mids for 2m who actually plays?
    (got Bentaleb and Beikzadeh)

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    1. iCon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      If you could get another 0.5m Bedoyah of USA is a good shout

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      1. Mr Sarcastic
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        no chance unless I start everything all over again 🙂

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        1. iCon
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          Lols, not a whole lot else at the 2m mrk

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

    Pitbull with his four quarter lengths

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

      He looks truely awful

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

    Opening ceremony was directed by 2 Belgians BTW.

    Very nice to open and close a WC.

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  18. eckojd
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    R Rodriguez or F. Schär for first game?

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    1. iCon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      I like Schaer for all games; great goal threat

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      1. eckojd
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks.

        Any idea on his booking rate? Compared to Rodriguez

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  19. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Costa and Fabregas for Luiz + £12m 😆 Nice bit of business!

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

      Mental

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  20. Yome
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Jlo is hot

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    1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Shit*

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

        Sound was horrible no wonder the stadium is not completed

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  21. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Croatia have had 6 red cards in their last 9 world cup games, if it starts to unravel for them tonight I expect to see a red at some stage.

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  22. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    What a load of shite

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      But it was directed by 2 Belgiums.

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  23. PKB
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Any good striker under 5m?
    Kokorin seems will be playing on the left, not the no.9

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    1. iCon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Slimani @ 2m and use the 3m to upgrade elsewhere?

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

      Kokorin is damn talented, though.

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

        Yeah, but a bit risky to be used as the 4th striker, right?

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

          Depends on how strong your first 3 are.
          Messi/Neymar.CR7 for me so I hope Kokorin doesn't get into my first 11 🙂

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

      Nearly - Jelavic, 5.5

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

        That extra 0.5 would send me back to the drawing board 😀

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

      Unclear as of now, whether he will start from the left or in the center.
      But he is a guaranteed starter if what I read is true.

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    5. Dr Dream
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      You mean out wide like Hazard, Walcott, Ronaldo..that sort of position ?..mmm...

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    6. Dušan Citizen
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Postiga?

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  24. Demelbrush
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Debuchy fit?

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  25. asquishypotato
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Finally finished and happy(ish) with my teams...I know I'm into my fantasy football, but this is getting ridiculous...

    The Sun
    The Maccy's game
    Fox
    iTeam
    Playon

    I won't even have time to watch any matches!

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    1. GREENDREAMS11
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      lol, thats mad.

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    2. PDM TOP 1,000 any Season rc…
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Where's the rest
      Virtual Sports
      Predictor
      Goalscorer
      Mirror
      Etc etc 😉

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  26. Ed
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Klose gonna start for Germany?

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  27. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    is r rodriguez a good swap for sciglio (who is now apparently injured) ???

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  28. The Mighty Slovenian
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Valbuena or Fayzulin?

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

      Valbuena

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      1. The Mighty Slovenian
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks, your nickname makes your answer very relevant 😀

        Valbuena it is.

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

          😉

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      2. GREENDREAMS11
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        +1

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  29.  ⓖⓐⓩⓩⓐ™
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Any ideas please
    Best mid for
    3.5m in McDonald's

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  30. CarrollEFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    How many transfers do
    You get for the sun game?

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