[sbu_large_image] Dugout Discussion
18 June 2014 2465 comments
Paul Paul
Share:

Fantasy managers will be looking for an improvement from this evening’s three fixtures after yesterday’s schedule served up just five goals. The first match on our agenda bodes well for Fantasy returns as Holland square up to Australia on the back of a stunning 5-1 triumph over defending champions Spain last time around:

Holland: Cillessen; Janmaat, Vlaar, De Vrij, Martins Indi, Blind; De Jong, De Guzman, Sneijder; Van Persie, Robben

Australia: Ryan; McGowan, Wilkinson, Spiranovic, Davidson; Jedinak, McKay, Bresciano; Leckie, Cahill, Oar

Unsurprisingly, Louis Van Gaal names an unchanged side after last week’s humbling of Spain. Holland are expected to line up in a 5-3-2 formation once again, then, with Daley Blind and Daryl Janmaat handed the wing-back role, while front two Arjen Robben and Robin Van Persie will be hoping to maintain the form that saw both score twice in their Group B opener.

Australia make a couple of alterations from the side that lost to Chile. Ivan Franjic is out with a hamstring injury, allowing Ryan McGowan the chance to deputise at right-back, whilst in central midfield, Matt McKay comes in for Mark Milligan. As always, Tim Cahill carries the main threat as the former Everton man looks to get amongst the goals again, having netted in last week’s 3-1 loss.

Following that one, Spain square up to Chile in a must-win Group B match. Their humbling by the Dutch, allied with the South American’s opening win over the Aussies, means Vicente del Bosque’s side have it all to do – if Holland win in the earlier match, a victory for Chile would send the Spaniards tumbling out after just two games. Diego Costa’s starting role looks under threat in light of a poor display against the Dutch, whilst Fantasy managers will be hoping del Bosque’s side can replicate the resilience that made their defence such strong options in the previous couple of international tournaments. Chile will look to Alexis Sanchez to maintain the form that saw him produce a goal and assist in the 3-1 win over Australia, though Jorge Valdivia and Eduardo Vargas are also in form, having served up a goal and assist respectively last time around.

The late 11pm kick-off sees Croatia take on Cameroon as both sides attempt to bounce back from Matchday 1 defeats. Suspended for the loss to Brazil, Mario Mandzukic is available once again and is expected to lead the line – with Ivan Rakitic, Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic supplying the guile from midfield, Niko Kovac’s side may well prove too strong for their opponents. The Africans are sweating on the fitness of Samuel Eto’o ahead of tonight’s game – the veteran’s potential absence could afford Vincent Aboubakar his first start of the tournament in a reshuffle up top.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

  1. TheSteady ¤ Wines th…
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Looking forward to see Dario Srna get a brace tonight and Croatia keep a cleanie 😀

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

      *Lovren

      Open Controls
  2. Godfather Bandit 42
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Should have kept Neymar's (C) points.

    DIEGO LOSTA (c)!!

    Open Controls
    1. FACUPARSE
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      how many times can you change captain?

      Open Controls
      1. Godfather Bandit 42
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Can change (C) before every match in McDuff, so I've still got options.

        #justventing!

        Open Controls
        1. FACUPARSE
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          I put mine on De Guzman got me 16pts, will change it to Messi though

          Open Controls
          1. Godfather Bandit 42
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            Nice....I've got 6pts from Costa (C)! Lol.

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

    At this rate I'll be relying on Slimani!

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

      Not a starter.

      Open Controls
  4. JT's Dog
      11 years, 9 months ago

      It is really sad when a team of such quality and passion go out of the World Cup after two games.
      And this puts Spain out also

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

        Yeah, I would want Australia to beat Spain as a token of their fight.

        Open Controls
        1. Nomar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          And because it would also be funny as heck.

          Open Controls
    • Saniul
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      You know it is Chile when the two further forward players are their two wingbacks.

      Open Controls
    • Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      whats the point of the image submission for the mcd FFS wc scores?

      Open Controls
      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        No other way of proving scores. Leagues dont have a matchday 1 only setting

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

        More proof over just saying a number.

        Open Controls
      3. Piggs Boson
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Proof.

        It's a bit of a chore to play...

        Open Controls
    • shazzaaam
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      damn so im stuck with other non starters on the bench. i hope koscielny gets played. otherwise im screwed

      Open Controls
    • Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Spain going out without even a whimper.

      Happy days!! 🙂

      Open Controls
    • Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      What happens if I change my McFormation?

      I'm really not enjoying this game atm...

      Open Controls
    • tw
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Spain, like Barca, have no plan B

      Where's Navas?? Sure could've used someone more direct out wide

      Open Controls
      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        They never did have a plan B. Just strangled the life out of teams by playing so many short passes, boring the life out of them before winning 1-0.

        Open Controls
    • FACUPARSE
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Spain have been awful 2nd half. Bad subs from Del Bosce

      Open Controls
    • Saniul
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Spain XI I want to see at Euro '16.

      de Gea; Azpilicueta, Ramos (c), _______ , Moreno; Koke, Thiago; Silva, Mata, Navas; ________ .

      : They need a young striker and a CB real bad.

      Open Controls
      1. Tomlette Greggs
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Deulofeu instead of Navas.

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

          Yeah, forgot his name. He's a big prospect.

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

        Think negredo or Costa can do the trick

        Open Controls
      3. Wilshere Knowledge
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Deuelefeuou in for Navas

        Open Controls
      4. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Isco?

        Open Controls
      5. iCon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        You don't think Jese will progress

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

          Is he an outright striker?

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

            He can play there.

            Open Controls
          2. Gubbins94.
            • 11 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            He'll be Real Madrid's in a year or two, going to be a serious false nine.

            Open Controls
          3. iCon
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            Possibly, depends what RM do with him

            Open Controls
    • TheSteady ¤ Wines th…
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Score prediction for Cameroon vs Croatia?

      Open Controls
      1. Declan
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        1-3

        Open Controls
      2. Dušan Citizen
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        0-3

        Open Controls
      3. Les Bleus
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        0-1

        Open Controls
      4. LOCO ABREU
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        0-2

        Open Controls
    • Dušan Citizen
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Well done Del Bosque,Torres and Pedro instead of Negredo! and Navas..what a genious

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

        Genius

        Open Controls
        1. Give The Todd Some Love
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          The irony

          Open Controls
        2. Dušan Citizen
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          thanks :3

          Open Controls
    • Give The Todd Some Love
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Sanchez is one hell of a player

      Open Controls
    • crystalpalaceRus
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      So chile are through if they win this. Valdivia to start 3rd match?

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

        Will want to finish first in the group to avoid Brazil though

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

          Was Valdy never a main starter in the first place though? Looked great in first match

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

            No clue, sorry

            Open Controls
      2. Granville
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Could do. Silva was played today because he's more defensive.

        Open Controls
    • FACUPARSE
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Santi on...

      Better then Fab 😀

      Open Controls
      1. Fray Bentos
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Torres preferred too. nice purchase Chelsea 😆

        Open Controls
    • shazzaaam
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      who is holland likely to meet after group stage?

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

        Mexico/Croatia/Brazil

        Open Controls
      2. Christina.
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        brazil or mex

        Open Controls
      3. Give The Todd Some Love
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Brazil/Mexico/Croatia

        Open Controls
      4. Les Bleus
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Brazil or Mexico. Likely Mexico IMO

        Open Controls
      5. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Think Netherlands will win the group, and reckon Brazil will win their group.

        So most likely is Croatia/Mexico.

        Open Controls
    • Christina.
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      how much did rvp get in mcd?

      Open Controls
      1. The Missing Link
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        7 apparently

        Open Controls
        1. Christina.
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          ouch. ok

          Open Controls
    • crystalpalaceRus
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      England coming 2nd in the group isnt even that bad..worse case scenario; Columbia

      Open Controls
      1. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        That sounds quite bad to me.

        Open Controls
        1. FACUPARSE
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          We'll mash Colombia up.

          Just need to get there

          Open Controls
        2. Fray Bentos
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          Nah they ain't all that

          Open Controls
          1. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            Did you watch Colombia's first game? The noise & amount of Colombians in the stadium.
            I know they're not a special team, but it would be like playing in their own back yard...

            Open Controls
    • jonny77
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Sorry but am I missing something, why is fabrigas not being played?

      Open Controls
    • lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Brazil

      Open Controls
      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Good spot

        Open Controls
        1. lilmessipran
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          Reply fail

          Open Controls
    • Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Spain just can't stop passing

      Open Controls
      1. Premier Virgin
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Just what I've been saying to my friends all week... 😀

        Open Controls
    • HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Bravo 🙂

      Open Controls
    • Prime
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Took Aranguiz out of my team for Lulic the last day. Anyone know Aranguiz's score? I'd like to hurt myself a little more by knowing the exact difference.

      Open Controls
    • Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      So, Chelsea have Torres and Costa now? Hmmmmmm.

      Open Controls
    • Give The Todd Some Love
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Anyone have Mena?

      Open Controls
      1. FACUPARSE
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        pause?

        no

        Open Controls
        1. Give The Todd Some Love
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          Poor 😉

          Open Controls
          1. FACUPARSE
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            😀

            Open Controls
    • JT's Dog
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Chile ladies weren't blessed were they

        Open Controls
      • Bøwstring The Carp
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Silva's passing has been dire

        Open Controls
      • tw
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Why am I still watching this...?

        Open Controls