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

    oscar or rodriguez?

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  2. Nice to Finally Michu
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Is Pjanic the best mid at 6.5? Already have Valbuena and KDB

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  3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Prediction for tonight?

    Going for 2-0 Brazil

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    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Fred and Neymar

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      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Agreed.

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    2. FPL Touches
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Yep, there is a decent chance of Croatia nicking a goal though and I quite fancy Olic to do the deed

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  4. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Last decision!

    A) Pique & Dzeko
    or
    B) Alba & Sanchez

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    1. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      B

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    2. Ten Season Wonder
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      A

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  5. Albert Cole
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Pjanic and Sergio Ramos
    or
    Özil/Oscar/Pirlo and Alderweireld?

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    1. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Oscar And Alderweireld

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

      Id go for Ozil and Alderweireld

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    3. Ten Season Wonder
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Oscar & Toby

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  6. Ten Season Wonder
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Lukaku or Giroud??? need answers now!

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    1. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Lukaku

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      1. Ten Season Wonder
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        why? is it gametime security?

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        1. Nice to Finally Michu
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          Better striker, better team, game time

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          1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            lukaku better than giroud? 😆

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

              yes?

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              1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
                • 15 Years
                11 years, 9 months ago

                in what way?

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                1. Ten Season Wonder
                  • 12 Years
                  11 years, 9 months ago

                  yeah i have lukaks but rate giroud more highly

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

      Just choose one.

      Lukaku.

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    3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      giroud

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      1. Ten Season Wonder
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        this aint helping guys getting mixed replies haha. i wanted a decisive answer lol

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

    A)Gerrard and dimari!
    B)OZIL and alonso

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  8. seanie3
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    best def to get

    a) mertesacker or
    b) alba

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    1. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      B

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

    is alba injured?

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  10. teej
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    REPOST
    Best 5m (or lower) midfielder not named Valbuena?

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

    What bets has everyone got on? I've got

    Brazil -1 @ 10/11
    and
    Neymar first GS and Brazil 3-0 @ 20/1

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    1. FPL Touches
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Kinda goes against yours but...

      Brazil win and under 2.5 (17/10)
      Brazil 2-0 (9/2)

      Then as a hedging bet (3/1) - Brazil win and btts

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  12. Portsmouth Bubblejet
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    After today's German press conference, we know that Lahm will play in midfield, and that it looks likely that he'll go for the four centre-backs against Portugal. Özil looks likely to play after all. Nothing for certain, but I'd guess...

    ------------------------------Neuer--------------------------

    Boateng---Mertesacker---Hummels---Höwedes

    ------------------------------Lahm----------------------------

    ------------------Khedira----------Kroos-------------------

    ------------Özil----------Müller---------Podolski---------

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

      Looks terrible, IMO.

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

      That's Durm bad news...

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

      I quite simply refuse to risk changing my team at this stage.

      Thanks for the scoop though PB 🙂

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    4. FPL Touches
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Not a fan of Boateng RB

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    5. Blue Lion
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Thank You!!!

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    6. Portsmouth Bubblejet
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      It would be a team that's specifically picked to block Ronaldo and shore up the gaps in defensive midfield. Doesn't mean that Löw will play like that for the rest of the tournament. He's spoken of 14 core players, and I'm sure he'll rotate.

      No, that wouldn't be my choice either, but playing Khedira and Schweinsteiger together would have been suicide defensively (along with the achingly slow Mertesacker).

      If Löw doesn't reach the semi-finals, he's going to find it hard to stay in his job, I think.

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

    Corrected CROATIA XI v BRAZIL: Pletikosa - Srna, Ćorluka, Lovren, Šime Vrsaljko - Modrić, Rakitić - Ivan Perišić, Kovačić, Olić, Jelavic

    Kovacic starts

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

      Did you forget the accents the first time? 😉

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

        /

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

          ? *

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

    what time is deadline for the mcdonalds fantasy?

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

      9pm GMT

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

      who knows.

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  15. Saniul
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    I hadn't noticed it before, but my Fox Australia Team ID is 2 😯

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

      Congrats.

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

        Thank you so much. 🙂

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    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Only number 1 counts. sorry.

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

        The creator has that, I guess. 😉

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    3. Blue Lion
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Are you Australian?

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

        Nope. But was the first on this site to announce the game. 😉

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  16. Hazard267
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Guardado anyone 4.5 oop?

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  17. Bambi
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    alba Vs Mertesacker

    First to 5 wins

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

      Alba

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

      Alba

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  18. Eden Eden
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    A) Coentrao + Matuidi/Pogba
    B) Alba/Ramos + Valbuena
    ??

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  19. Lallana_
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Is Thiago Silva always going to start?

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    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      not always, only when brazil play

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  20. isacki: full casual
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Might just want to be prepared for the possibility of McDonalds not working all the way to the deadline...

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

      I'm prepared for McDonalds to change the rules every day of the tourney...

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  21. Heels_Over_Head
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Sudden stress that I don't own Messi...

    but would have to drop Ozil or Rodriguez or Hazard down to a 6 to upgrade Higuain...

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

      Don't tinker. Only fools are messing with their team still.

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

        Or people who've just finished exams...

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

          No.

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

            loll

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

      Rodriguez to Cuardado

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

      It's like not owning Yaya in fpl last year, don't do it.

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  22. Zimppa
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Any news on Cristiano Ronaldo? Is he injured or not?

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      He played last game so probably not.

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

        https://twitter.com/gabbyamado/status/477159264969326592/photo/1 So this is just some asshole on twitter who wound me up?

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        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          Hadn't seen that, no idea then. Just waking up.

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

      Twingey

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

      Not injured, came on against Ireland the other night

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  23. teej
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Is there any OOP list?
    Also best 5m or less midfielder not named Valbuena?

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

      Lulic, Faizulin

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

    *30 minutes to start Klaxon*

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  25. Az
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    What colour shirts are Brazil wearing?

    Took those coral odds! 2/1 on yellow

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  26. Ten Season Wonder
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    anyone rate "Serge Aurier" of Ivory Coast?? i currently own him but are there better options for £5m

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

      Yeah I looking forward to seeing him, he Could easily pick up some assists

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      1. Ten Season Wonder
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        for £5m though... wondering if there's better options in defence...

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  27. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Trying to watch ITV online but their website is currently under maintenance but "should be back up in an hour".

    Well done guys, it's not like there's something millions of people want to watch about to start or anything 🙄

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

    neymar and lukaku or fred and muller

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    1. El Zurdo
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Neyman and Lukaku

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    2. Ten Season Wonder
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      A

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  29. El Zurdo
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Marcelo, Dani Alves or Luiz?

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

      I went with Luiz, but they are all promising picks.

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  30. Eden Eden
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Please someone clear this up for me, is Alba actually injured???
    I've been stressing to swap him out now

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

      He's got some blisters, I hear. While nothing too serious, they could be bad enough to keep him out of Spain's opener. That's what I have gathered, at least. Anyone who has had blisters can understand how painful and limiting they can get.

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