634x258 Dugout Discussion
15 June 2014 3787 comments
Paul Paul
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With three World Cup matches on offer this evening, Fantasy managers have plenty to look forward to. First up, Switzerland take on Ecuador in the 5pm kick-off, with Ottmar Hitzfeld’s side looking to maintain the form that saw them top their qualifying group with an unbeaten record over 10 matches:

Switzerland: Benaglio: Lichtsteiner, Von Bergen, Djourou, Rodriguez: Inler, Behrami; Shaqiri, Xhaka, Stocker; Drmic

Ecuador: Dominguez; Paredes, Guagua, Erazo, W Ayovi; A Valencia, Noboa, Gruezo, Montero; Caicedo, E Valencia

For Switzerland, the highly-rated young left-back Ricardo Rodriguez will add plenty of attacking threat from the back, whilst the likes of Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri are tasked with supplying the creativity behind Josip Drmic, who notched 17 times in 30 starts for German side Nurnberg in 2013/14. The one surprisde from Hitzfeld’s line-up is his decision to opt for Johan Djourou ahead of Fabian Schar in central defence.

Ecuador will be looking for front two Enner Valencia and Felipe Caicedo to grab the goals. The latter was top scorer in qualifying with seven strikes, whilst elsewhere in Reinaldo Rueda’s 4-4-2, Jefferson Montero and United’s Antonio Valencia will also be hoping to make an impact on the flanks.

After that, France square up to Honduras in the other Group E game at 9pm. Despite losing Franck Ribery to injury, Les Bleus are highly-fancied in this one – they’ve won four and drawn one of their last five friendlies, conceding just a single goal in the process. Karim Benzema, Olivier Giroud, Paul Pogba, Antoine Griezmann and Mathieu Valbuena owners have every reason for optimism as Didier Deschamps’ side look to get off to a winning start before a midweek meet with the Swiss.

Our late night viewing sees Group F get underway with a clash of the favourites, as Argentina and Bosnia and Herzegovina go head-to-head. Lionel Messi will surely be sporting the armband for a number of managers for the 11pm kick-off, though there’s no shortage of options on our radars for this clash, with Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di Maria, Edin Dzeko and Miralem Pjanic all looking to catch our attentions before the schedule eases considerably for both sides.

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  1. Goodfella
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Who's gonna start for Iran, Mohini or Montazeri?

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  2. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Don't Pjanic

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    1. Valar(Keith)
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      i paid the premium for him over lulic and that made me settle for vargas instead of sanchez.. so i am pjanickin a bit i must say

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  3. Willis.
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Why isn't Salihovic starting?

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Wasn't picked.

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  4. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Not going to plan this at the moment...Bosnia getting the upper hand.

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Why not to plan?

      Bosnia are a good side. It won't be easy

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      1. Dr Dream
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        My plan..I have three argentines...

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        1. HuttonDressedasLahm
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Who still have Nigeria and Iran to play

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  5. Why Always Me
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    whats gunna happen in the overlap of round 1 and two in mcds?

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    1. SW6
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      I think the world might end like the McMayans predicted

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    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Chaos. Probable and definite chaos!

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    3. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      There's a separate section for round 2.

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      1. Why Always Me
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        how do you know? were is it ? lmao

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        1. Epic Fail
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Well, I'm presuming. Near the top it says '2nd group phase', which looks like it might become a clickable link when the time comes.

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          1. HuttonDressedasLahm
            • 16 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            "Might" "could". Won't

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            1. Epic Fail
              • 15 Years
              11 years, 6 months ago

              Aye, probably not.

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    4. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria

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  6. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    I feel sorry for Phil Neville. His brother is a better player, better pundit, better looking, better career, more caps and Beckham's best mate. Ah well at least he's rich. But not as rich as his brother 🙂

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      First time Gary Neville has been referred to as better looking 😆

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      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Even Chadwick was better looking than Phil! Ok, maybe not

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        1. Shipstontrev
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          😯

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    2. Shipstontrev
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      How did he even get the job? Did he not have to have an audition?

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      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        His better brother works for England? Interesting to see if they use him again 🙂

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        1. Shipstontrev
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          He clearly doesn't know what summariser means, he just didn't shut up,

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    3. The EJJ
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      I don't really know what all the fuss was about, I didn't think he was any worse than the others.

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  7. Willis.
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Why is Messi playing on the wing and dropping so deep? FFS

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    1. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Argentina aren't Barca

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      1. Wilshere Knowledge
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        You're a well informed gentleman.

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        1. teddy.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          I'm a freaking obsessive

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      2. Willis.
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Did Argentina learn nothing from the last WC? Messi needs to play as the main striker

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  8. Pinky and Brain
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Rojo 1 BS 🙂

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      And 1 YC 🙂

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      1. Konig Luther
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        normal. always a YC for him

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  9. dmcqt
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Already a blocked shot for Rojo and two balls into the area for Messi. Nice for McFifa points.

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    1. Wirtzle Gummidge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Spoke too soon.

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  10. Wilshere Knowledge
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    This is crap.

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  11. crystalpalaceRus
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    F you rojo

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  12. Chu Young Ping Pong
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    fu rojo

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    1. FACUPARSE
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Lol@Egypt

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  13. Wirtzle Gummidge
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    I'm starting to be pleased I didn't switch the armband from Neymar to Messi.

    ...Oh...Rojo 🙁

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  14. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    FU rojo

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  15. Les Bleus
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Is Fernandez playing in midfield?

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    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      5 at the back.

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      1. Les Bleus
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Wow. Against Bosnia really? Interesting thanks

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        1. Wilshere Knowledge
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          They wouldn't have played 5 at the back if Higuain was fit.

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        2. Billy Gilmore
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          More down to circumstance than choice.

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  16. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    We're not deducted points for the YC either aren't we? 😀

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  17. Big_Andy_GAWA
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    FU Rojo 🙂

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  18. clockwork
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Lawro is a comedic genius

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  19. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Argentina are definite dodgy at the back

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  20. Chu Young Ping Pong
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Is Messi playing?

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    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Ya, he's the little guy that keeps giving the ball away. Or is that Aguero?

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  21. LewanGOALski
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Lulic OG ?

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    1. Root
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      2-0?

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    2. SW6
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Kolasniac

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    3. Alan The Llama
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Kolasinac

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  22. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Messi is the Argentinian Giggs.. Prefers his club pay packet to International glory 😉

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Wales? Glory?

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      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Well there's the glory of being your counties best ever player

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    2. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Name 5 players who are superstars at club level and also legends for their country?

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      1. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Rooney? 😆

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        1. teddy.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          There really aren't many.

          Ibrahimovic?
          Ronaldinho?
          Cannavaro?
          Maldini?
          Zidane?

          In their day: Cruyff, van Basten, Beckenbauer...

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      2. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Define legend

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      3. Wilshere Knowledge
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Ibra
        Suarez
        Pirlo
        Iniesta
        Lahm

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      4. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        RVP
        Suarez
        Pirlo
        Maldini
        Savage

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        1. teddy.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          The definition of legends.

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      5. MMN
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        RVP Ronaldo Ibra Iniesta and Pirlo

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      6. Mini League Fatigue
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Aguero Balotelli Ronaldo Inesta Ibra

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      7. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        If I had the time or inclination I could name 100. Silly comment

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        1. teddy.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          It's the exception rather than the rule.

          Quite a lot of overlap in the examples given.

          I'd say Brazilian Ronaldo rather than Portuguese Ronaldo. CR7 has underperformed at major international tournaments

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  23. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Messi top goalscorer might not have been the best choice.

    Too much focus on him from other teams, guess I can hope for FKs and Penalties from him.

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Happy with my Brazil/Neymar bet

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  24. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Messi will score right..?

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    1. SW6
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      I was under the impression one goal at least was guaranteed 😐

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      1. Bubz
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Who do we email to complain if he doesn't score? I didn't pay so much for this!

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        1. SW6
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          I presume we can go into any McDonalds and complain

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  25. Mini League Fatigue
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone have the latest points spreadsheet?

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  26. FACUPARSE
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    This game is sending me to sleep

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    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Imagine this with Neville commentary.

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    2. Chu Young Ping Pong
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      You're sending me to sleep.

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      1. FACUPARSE
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Kiss me

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    3. Vote Joke
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Go to bed.

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  27. Gimli son of Gloin
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Pjanic really would be a great buy for any club.
    Looks to be a brilliant player.

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    1. Declan
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      I'm sure Roma might have something to say about that.

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  28. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Why doesn't Aguero have Kun on his International shirt?

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  29. Declan
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Hopefully that might wake Kun up.....

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  30. OCORMCOR
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    I got 8 for sub Osman Chavez, is there any way of adding to spreadsheet?

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    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Write it in yourself.

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