[sbu_large_image] Dugout Discussion
17 June 2014 3828 comments
Paul Paul
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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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  1. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Mertens on Chadli off

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

    No team that plays Chadli will ever win anything. Now he is gone they have a chance.

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  3. Curly619
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Need some advice please (Fox)
    Llloris
    Debuchy.Blind,Zapata
    Iniest,Valbuena,Muller,KDB
    Neymar,Higuain,Sanchez

    Mbohli,Cuadrado,Medjani,Kombarov

    Going Sanchez - RVP

    KDB or Cuadrado is my main question ? Or i could go KDB - Snjeider and play him ?

    Captained Muller first round.Who should i captain this round thinking RVP is pretty obvious and safe ?

    Thanks

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    1. #WinterIsNotComing
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      KDB still 😀

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      1. Curly619
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Is that tongue in cheek or serious ? Haha just if they lose or draw this i'm sure their may be changes and Cuadrado/Snjeider could be safer ?

        Should i play Cuadrado or trade to Snjeider ?

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        1. #WinterIsNotComing
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          Cuadrado and for captain=Neymar

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          1. Curly619
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            So free trade KDB - Snjeider and play him not worth it ?

            Thanks

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  4. Louis
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    I feel that Mbohli is going to time waste and get a yellow card :/

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  5. roscola
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Can't believe I've had the definition of 'dark horse' so wrong all these years. Only now do I find out it refers to the manure of said beast. Live and learn.

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  6. Notorious
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Rojo to Vert doen't seem like a great move now.

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    1. The EJJ
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Is that because Vertonghen is looking likely to get less points?

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

        I believe he is on 1 point at the moment so yeah, it looks quite likely. 😀

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

    What a save Mbolhi 😛

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  8. What is on the balotelli
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    If that Mbolhi punch of the ball onto Witsel's head leading to a goal had gone in, surely they must give Mbolhi 3 points for the assist? 🙂

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

      All hail Lord M'Bolhi!

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    2. The Sarjeant
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Obviously not.

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  9. The Sarjeant
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Does that count as a save?

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  10. Optimus.
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Just in the door,missed the McD deadline..de Bruyne and Aldeireld on the bench 😎

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    1. Bøwstring The Carp
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Haha you know what's going to happen now don't you 😛

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      1. Optimus.
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        ?

        Mbohli and Bentaleb seem to be in my lineup though 🙂

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        1. Bøwstring The Carp
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          de Bruyne to score and Alderweireld assist with a heap of RBs 😛

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          1. Optimus.
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            Oh yeah that 😉

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    2. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Get out.

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      1. Optimus.
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        😉

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    3. Camp No No
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      😆 hmmm.... you were also the one without Montazeri. Well, this is your revenge on the rest of us.

      I missed the deadline too. Actually could have made the transfers, but recalled the kick off time an hour later. I have Medjani on bench.

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      1. Optimus.
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        😀

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

    given the way formation changes work in the mcdonalds game, what is the best way to set up your team for this next round of matches?

    for the first round I just put them in the order that they played

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  12. tutankamun
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    In the Fantasy I-team game, I had Neymar captain, took him out for Messi as I forgot he had a double game week.

    I've just put him back in, will he still score me double points? It's still showing Neymar as my captain.

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    1. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      I don't think many people will be qualified to answer that one!

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

        I guess I'll find out soon enough!

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

      no clue, sorry

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

      Belgium really missing Benteke right now

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    4. BONZ
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Yes he will - i asked same question direct to them and was told a big fat yes 😉

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

        Excellent. Thank you.

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  13. Wilshere Knowledge
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Am I alone in thinking Lukaku is a bit rubbish?

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

      Ask Jose

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

      That's a tad harsh. He's raw imo

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      1. Wilshere Knowledge
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        He has terrible ball control, and makes rubbish runs. He gets by on pace and power imo.

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

          He'll get better with time

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        2. 7shadesofsmoke
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          its been enough for many a player before him.

          I agree though, his technique and footballing intelligence seem poor for a player of his ilk.

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    3. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      No unfortunately 🙁

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

    Have we all got Mbolhi in goal?

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

      I wish.... picked the wrong Algerian keeper 🙁

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    2. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      awwww yeaahhhhhh!

      Along with three Belgians outfield...

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  15. The Sarjeant
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Do punches count as saves?

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    1. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      depends on whether they save a shot from going in the goal or not i guess.

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  16. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Is Darmian nailed on for Italy?

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

      Should be now. He was star man along with Candreva

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  17. dmcqt
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Alderweireld up to five recovered balls. Bougherra up to two. Bentaleb on three.

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

      Vertonghen?

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      1. dmcqt
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Vertonghen on one recovered ball so far. And the stats are available a few links into the FIFA page for the match: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=255931/match=300186479/statistics.html .
        They're updated about five mins after events take place.

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

          Thanks 😀

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

      where do you see this stuff?

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  18. Curly619
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Captain RVP or Neymar in the fox game ??

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  19. Magerost
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Belgium -1 means that Belgium wins with 1 goal?

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

        😆 no

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      2. Camp No No
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        By two goals. Belgium to win by one goal suffices to win you the regular Belgium to win bet.

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        1. Magerost
            11 years, 9 months ago

            Cheers 🙂

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      3. banskt
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Only 4 saves in the name of Mbolhi. How is that even possible?

        http://world-cup-2014.cloud.opta.net/match.html?wc=opta&lang=en_GB&timezone=0&season=2013&competition=4&match=731781

        I saw him at least 7-8 saves.

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

          Replays don't count 😉

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

            😉

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      4. LOCO ABREU
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Medjani so close

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      5. Alan The Llama
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        What were we thinking picking De Bruyne? A ginger in these temperatures.

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

          surprised he hasn't collapsed yet

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        2. Bøwstring The Carp
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          Head like a scalded orange 😕

          Useless

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      6. Demí
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Lolkaku

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      7. Louis
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Lukaku off before 60min
        Origi on

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      8. Bøwstring The Carp
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Lukaku off 😯

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      9. 7shadesofsmoke
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Lukaku, as if i couldn't hate you any more after that FPL season...

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      10. 4vets
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Bugger

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

        Nooooo lukaku, why would you take him off?

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        1. Bøwstring The Carp
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          He's had 4 touches and if I recall he lost the ball on at least two of them 😕

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

            I understand that but still he's lukaku and my fantasy team needed him

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

            Not bad for a guy who gets goals & assists with his erse!

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      12. LOCO ABREU
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        classic lukaku

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