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.