Dugout Discussion

World Cup 2014 – Dugout Discussion

Once again, we have three fixtures on our World Cup Fantasy agendas this evening. Up first, Belgian take on Algeria in the 5pm kick-off – an impressive qualifying campaign has ensured Marc Wilmots’ side are rated as one of the dark horses for the tournament and brought plenty of investment their way for what looks a straightforward passage through Group H. Can they live up to our expectations though?:

Belgium: Courtois; Alderweireld, vBuyten, Kompany, Vertonghen; Witsel, Dembele, Chadli; de Bruyne, Lukaku, Hazard

Algeria: M’Bohli; Medjani, Halliche, Bougherra, Goulham; Mostefa, Bentaleb, Taider; Feghouli, Mahrez, Soudani

Romelu Lukaku has recovered from a knock and leads the line for the Belgians, with Kevin de Bruyne and Eden Hazard on either side in a 4-3-3. Wilmots’ selection is more or less as expected, with the inclusion of Tottenham’s Nacer Chadli in the central midfield three the only real eyebrow-raiser.

Chadl’s club team-mate Nabil Bentelab takes his place in the Algerian midfield three. The creativity of Valencia’s Sofiane Feghouli is likely to carry the biggest threat to Thibaut Courtois’ prospects of picking up a clean sheet, though Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez will be hoping to make an impact after getting the nod up front.

The 8pm kick-off then sees hosts Brazil return to action. Big Phil Scolari’s men square up to Mexico this evening with both sides looking for back-to-back wins, following victories over Croatia and Cameroon in their respective openers. Depending on which Fantasy game you are playing, this clash is either the opener in Matchday 2 or the final fixture of Matchday 1 – either way, Neymar and Oscar seem the strongest options for the hosts after both delivered points aplenty in the first match of the tournament, whilst Oribe Peralta will be hoping to notch for the second match in succession and upset the hosts.

Russia and South Korea are our final pairing of the evening. Fabio Capello’s side are the favourites for this one and with Roman Shirokov out through injury and Alexander Kerzhakov expected to be named amongst the subs, the likes of Alexander Kokorin and Alexander Samedov could prove the difference up front and on the right respectively.

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3,828 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Vinnie vidic vici
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 day ago

    Oscar over Neymar? I figure he's going to be the focus of defense, leaving Oscar to have more freedom.

    Also anyone left Peralta in or just me? I wasn't overly sold on the Brazil back line last match.

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  2. Djerbil
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 day ago

    Come on Algeria

    Beat this Overrated pretenders

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    1. Vinnie vidic vici
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 day ago

      Algeria haven't scored in the world cup since 1986. I'm not sure given that defensive line that they'll start now.

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      1. Djerbil
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 day ago

        how does history influence this match??

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        1. Vinnie vidic vici
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 1 day ago

          It doesn't. Just an interesting stat I thought. I just don't see them breaking the goal drought against this back line.

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      2. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 day ago

        It was Northern Ireland that they scored against as well

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  3. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 day ago

    Double Bosnia defence for Fox round 2 😎

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    1. LOCO ABREU
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 day ago

      not decided on aurier/kolasinac yet

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      1. Bubz
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 day ago

        I have them both too. On Kolasinac atm. Aurier's attacking potential is very tempting though...

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    2. Root
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 day ago

      Ibisevic (C)

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  4. That Fantasy Guy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 day ago

    I need some sensible advice please.
    Assuming you can only play 2 forwards for the next set of fixtures, who would u play out of...
    neymar, messi, and van persie?
    Also if van persie is in the 2, captain robben or van persie?
    Thanks

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    1. Funkyav
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 day ago

      whichever ones play first then you can swap out the worst performing.

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      1. That Fantasy Guy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 day ago

        Unfortunately not a game that 1 can do that. Its a set 4-4-2 so 1 forward "benches" for half points.

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        1. Funkyav
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 1 day ago

          I would probably bench RVP and watch that game from behind a sofa!

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          1. That Fantasy Guy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 1 day ago

            Hahahaha thanks

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  5. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 day ago

    LUKAKUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

    Just practising for the hatrick 😉

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    1. Gilbo88
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 day ago

      Hoping he doesn't do anything coz I've had to leave him on the bench!

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  6. Vinnie vidic vici
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 day ago

    Van Persie might not stay on the whole match if they start well. And I'm still not overly convinced about Messi this world cup, they have better options potentially for fantasy investment. But of the three at a push I'd pick Neymar and Van Persie.

    Robben might not last the whole match either, so that's a tough call on captain.

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    1. That Fantasy Guy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 day ago

      thanks,its so hard!

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  7. Koflok
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 day ago

    Best 120k defender as Verm's replacement and to fund Robben van Persie?

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    1. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 day ago

      how much was blind?

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      1. Koflok
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 day ago

        More than 120k.

        Obvious choice are Aurier, Lovren, Di Sciglio / Darmian, Kombarov.

        Or should I stick with Verm instead and downgrade Valbuena -> Cuadrado?

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        1. 7shadesofsmoke
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 1 day ago

          Aurier then.

          He looks great and you probably want Robben and RVP if you can afford it.

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  8. Funkyav
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 1 day ago

    Is there anywhere where we can see who has scored what in the McDonalds game for the opening round of fixtures?

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  9. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 day ago

    Tevez playing as Refree? O.o

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  10. Funkyav
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 1 day ago

    Has there ever been a worse organised Fantasy game than this McDonalds one?

    My mini league shows 34 teams but I can only view 20 of them, then go to page 2 and its the first 14 of that 20 repeated again. Imbeciles!

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    1. Konig Luther
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 day ago

      maybe the first 14 joined 2 times 😉

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  11. Sweetpea
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 day ago

    Post your Fox transfers.

    Durm > Debuchy, Sanchez >RVP for me.

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    1. Parm
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 day ago

      Vermaelen > Darmain, Valbuena > Robben, Sanchez > Van Persie.

      For -3

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    2. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 day ago

      Pogba -> Muller
      Sanchez -> RVP
      Azpilicueta -> Duarte (110 Costa Rican)

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    3. Ben Mee Over A Table
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 day ago

      Pogba -> Muller
      Di Maria -> Robben
      Benzema -> Gutierrez

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    4. Gimli son of Gloin
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 day ago

      Valbuena, Sanchez, Kagawa ->> RVP, Robben, Sterling (-3)

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  12. Wilshere Knowledge
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 day ago

    Hazard playing like a drain.

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  13. Parm
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 day ago

    Who is everyone captaining in FOX?

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    1. roscola
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 day ago

      RVP

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      1. Parm
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 day ago

        Seems like the safe option, although I might go for Robben instead.

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        1. Parm
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 1 day ago

          And Messi against Iran...

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        2. roscola
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 1 day ago

          His pace sets me all aquiver but I think RVP will be in the right places more often

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    2. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 day ago

      Messi

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    3. Messiah Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 day ago

      Robben

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    4. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 day ago

      messy

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    5. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 day ago

      Messi

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    6. Ben Mee Over A Table
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 day ago

      Robben

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  14. Old Man
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 day ago

    Watch out for Mahrez - you'll be hearing more about him next season.

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  15. john_t
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 day ago

    This is looking worse than the Iran game.

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    1. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 day ago

      No way Jose.

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  16. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 day ago

    Last one for Fox

    A KDB, Benzema to Sneijder, RVP
    B KDB, Benzema, Kombarov/Aurier to Robbern, RVP, Besic (-3)

    thanks in advance

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    1. Ben Mee Over A Table
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 day ago

      I'd say A, defenders aren't worth a 3 point hit.

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  17. Koflok
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 day ago

    This Dalmain guy nailed on for Italy?

    Is De Sciglio out definitely?

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    1. Konig Luther
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 day ago

      De Sciglio will play next match i think

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    2. SW6
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 day ago

      De Sciglio returning doesn't affect Darmian.

      Darmian should play again

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  18. dmcqt
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 day ago

    15 mins gone. Shots on target = 0. Shots off target = 0. Gripping stuff.

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    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 day ago

      Nice shot off target just at the 17min mark

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  19. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 day ago

    anyone cracked it how to always play the next in line to play in Maccy D without losing 10 - 15 minutes and checking every players timing of fixture??

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    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 day ago

      In UEFA CL it is so easy, time and date next to every player and even an assistant manager

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  20. Ben Mee Over A Table
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 day ago

    Who is on penalties for Belgium?

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    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 day ago

      Hazard

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    2. SW6
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 day ago

      I'd guess Hazard

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  21. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 day ago

    very worried about the number of non players i have on the bench 😕

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  22. Shakshuka
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 day ago

    When setting up your McD for gameday 2 is there anything else to consider than placing those plays first from left to right?

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  23. JJO
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 day ago

    Cmon Luk and KDB just shoot that ball on target,never mind if you score or not 🙂

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  24. Gnu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 day ago

    Townsend talks a load of piish.

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    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 day ago

      More than loads 🙁

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    2. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 day ago

      Always has.

      I remember a Champions League game when Barca faced an english side, if i remember correctly.

      He called Pedro a weak link! This was the Guardiola side that was arguably the greatest of all time. Pedro had already breached 20 goals for the season and had a shit-ton on assists too.

      Mug.

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  25. 7shadesofsmoke
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 day ago

    Algeria look impressive so far. Very well disciplined.

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  26. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 day ago

    mbolhiiiiiiiiiii

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  27. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 day ago

    Saveeeeeee Mbolhiiiii

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  28. The Sarjeant
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 day ago

    Save 🙂

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  29. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 day ago

    Algeria didn't concede a single goal in the first 15 minutes of any of their qualifying games, kept the trend going today.

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  30. Dr Dream
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 day ago

    Hazard was on 40% ownership prior to GW1 in Fox...hope he stays quiet...

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