[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. pundit of punts
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Was gonna ditch RVP anyway. Now this makes it easier.

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

      who are you thinking?

      Open Controls
      1. pundit of punts
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        No idea now. Will decide after watching the games.

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

      🙁 Worried about third round now

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

    Choosing RvP over Robben in all my games is going swimmingly well 🙄

    Open Controls
    1. pundit of punts
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      RVP will score one.

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

        😀

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

    Skrtel coming off.

    Open Controls
  4. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Cahill mentioned as Tom Cahill in the article

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

    Omg! Pen!

    Open Controls
  6. Billy Gilmore
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Aussie pen 😯

    Open Controls
  7. Studgie G
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    penn omggggggggggggggggggg

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

    PENALTY!!!!!!!

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

    Pen to Australia?!

    Open Controls
  10. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    PELANTY

    Open Controls
  11. pundit of punts
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    SCENES

    Open Controls
  12. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Penalty to Aussies!!

    Open Controls
  13. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Think that's harsh

    Open Controls
  14. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    SAVE IT CILLESEN!

    Open Controls
  15. Telpuialion
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Cillessen pen save, please!

    Open Controls
  16. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Someone captained Jedinak earlier 🙂

    Open Controls
    1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Wasn't me though

      Open Controls
  17. Jack Frost
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Can Cielles stop it?

    Open Controls
  18. Konig Luther
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Cillessen pen save points coming

    Open Controls
  19. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Jedinak scores!!

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

    Spain are so lucky.

    Open Controls
  21. Billy Gilmore
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    C'mon!!! 😀

    Open Controls
  22. Studgie G
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    wow unbelievable

    Open Controls
  23. 4vets
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Oh my!

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

    a guy here have jedinak captain lol

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

    INSANE

    Open Controls
  26. pundit of punts
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    This group is amazing.

    Open Controls
  27. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    The curse of taking the lead strikes again

    Open Controls
  28. potatoace
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    my word.

    Open Controls
  29. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Holland to win in play? 🙂

    Open Controls
  30. The 12th Man
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Jedinak and Cils here

    Open Controls
    1. Jack Frost
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Well, done.

      Open Controls