634x258 Dugout Discussion
24 June 2014 3134 comments
Paul Paul
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We’ve another four matches to look forward to this evening as the group stages continue to wrap up. England, of course, already know their fate after losing both opening matches, whilst tonight’s opponents Costa Rica are through to the knockouts after serving up back-to-back wins over Uruguay and Italy to stun the football world:

Costa Rica: Navas; Gamboa, Duarte, Gonzalez, Miller, Diaz; Ruiz, Borges, Tejeda, Brenes; Campbell

England: Foster; Jones, Cahill, Smalling, Shaw; Lampard, Wilshere; Milner, Barkley Lallana; Sturridge

The Costa Ricans make two changes from the side that defeated Italy last week. At the back, Jorge Luis Pinto brings in Roy Miller for Michael Umana, whilst further up the pitch, Christian Bolanos drops out for Randall Brenes in what looks a continuation of the 5-4-1 formation which has proven so successful.

As announced yesterday, Roy Hodgson makes nine changes from the team that lost to Uruguay as England attempt to avoid the ignominy of finishing rock-bottom of Group D. Only Daniel Sturridge and Gary Cahill keep their places for the Three Lions as Hodgson hands his squad members the chance to impress.

Uruguay: Muslera; Caceres, Gimenez, Godin, Pereira; Rodriguez, Arevalo Rios, Gonzalez; Lodeiro; Suarez,Cavani,

Italy: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; De Sciglio, Pirlo, Verratti, Marchisio, Darmian; Balotelli, Immobile

Uruguay are unchanged from the side that beat England 2-1 last week. Oscar Tabarez’ side will line up in a 4-3-1-2 formation once again, with Nicolas Lodeiro tucked in behind Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez, as the latter looks to replicate his match-winning brace against Hodgson’s side and fire his team into the last 16.

Cesare Prandelli’s side need only a draw against the South Americans to secure second spot. The Italians make four changes from their Matchday two loss to Costa Rica and bring in Mattia De Sciglio, Leonardo Bonucci, Marco Verratti and Ciro Immobile in what seems to be a 3-5-2 formation, with the latter partnering Mario Balotelli up top.

In the 9pm matches, Columbia look to finish Group C with a 100% record. The South Americans will be hoping James Rodriguez can maintain the form that has seen him score in each of his first two appearances, while Juan Cuadrado (three assists) and Teofilo Gutierrez (a goal and assist) also carry a major threat against Japan – Fantasy managers will be hoping that reports of rest and rotation turn out to be inaccurate.

The other game in Group C sees Ivory Coast square up to a Greece side that failed to find the net in their opening two matches. While a draw may well be enough for the Africans to progress, Sabri Lamouchi’s men will want to serve up a strong display after narrowly losing to the Colombians in Matchday 2 – Gervinho has notched in both their games so far and is the one guaranteed starter in the front three, though Lamouchi could turn to the experience of Didier Drogba to lead the line this time, having utilised the former Chelsea man as a sub in the first couple of matches.

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  1. Andrew7
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Yes, as long as u bring him in before Germany plays.

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  2. User
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Neymar 29/1 FGS on Betsson? :O

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    1. SW6
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Very strange, may as well bet on it

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  3. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    I love Kate Abdo 😳

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      I've had her. She weren't anything special.

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    2. Lucas Leiva
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Nothing on Natalie Sawyer.

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    3. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      I agree that she's rather nice, but she also has a serious brain.

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  4. Lord Dragon
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Amongst all that Pirlo got 10pts, I'll take it.

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    1. Conrad.
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      im gonna miss that beautiful man on the international stage. 🙁

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      1. Lord Dragon
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        I know, would have loved for him to go out with a trophy.

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  5. Declan
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    I've done Cillessen (8 points) out for Karnezis.

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    1. 4vets
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      No way!

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  6. Leaf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Shearer and savage , very annoying

    All moralistic

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    1. Lucas Leiva
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      I was wondering who the BBC would get to replace Henry & Seedorf. Won't be happy if it just means more Shearer, Savage & Neville.

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  7. Gnu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Woy is probably having dinner with the FA bigwigs bragging how England avoided a heavy defeat like Spain & Portugal suffered. Well done Woy, Scotland loves you. 🙂

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    1. Vote Joke
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Useless Roy.

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  8. Gnu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Group D, the only group that I never had a single player from in McFubar, how the hell did I overlook Costa Rica?

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    1. Conrad.
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      because everyone else did?

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

    😆 You can just see the rage building in Kenny Cunningham when people disagree with him.

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  10. Techy
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Gamble Cillessen for Karnezis?

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    1. Techy
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Cillessen - 8pts

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    2. 4vets
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      If only someone could answer this!!!! PLEASE!

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      1. Djerbil
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        why not?? unique qns

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      2. 7shadesofsmoke
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        i will answer (but with a certain maputn of alcohol coursing through mu veins) Do IT.

        Its all about the showboat and that means getting averytihin on the line ad taking the risks.

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        1. Gnu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Hi 7som, can I suggest that this would be a good time to write and post one of your wonderful articles! 🙂

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          1. 7shadesofsmoke
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            thankfully we have an awesome nice editor by the name of Paul who manages to filter out all of the shit i write sober. don't wanna push it by asking him to fix my shit drunk.

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            1. Gnu
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              11 years, 6 months ago

              Haha. 🙂
              Worth a try.

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    3. Sean.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      stick

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      1. Techy
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Think I might actually - done!

        Cheers!

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        1. 7shadesofsmoke
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          ... oh. probably the sensible thing...

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  11. Saniul
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Remember someone cribbing out buying Suarez and failing to arrange his team, ending up with Duarte in lineup.

    Where is he now? 😀

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  12. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    which game to watch on the laptop and which on the big tv?

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  13. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Slowly creeping up in the Fox game...31OR...pity I picked Suarez.

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    1. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Aye. I got bitten by Suarez in Mirror.

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      1. Dr Dream
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Everybody above me has Benzema so couldn't see much advantage in picking him. May pay the price for that decision.

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        1. Conrad.
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          same here 🙁

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          1. Dr Dream
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            Better to try and fail...

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  14. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    SSN news must be running out of money. Their panel of pundits for the WC..

    Rob Lee, Kevin Davies, Lee Hendrie 😆

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    1. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Have you checked out KevinKeegan#galactickeegan on twitter - hilarious reading. The mention of Rob Lee had me chuckling again.

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      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Not on twitter but i saw your post yesterday

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  15. Saniul
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    How crucial were Godin's last three goals for club and country? Legendary stuff, I'd say.

    Most players score goals which are generally bites of the cherry, but Godin has done some serious shite there. Only Uruguay player I wish well.

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    1. Parm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Should've been off against England though, so fortunate to play today really.

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      1. Saniul
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah, but a good defender and goalscorer, nonethless.

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      2. PKB
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        this

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

    Cillessen (8 points) or switch to Karnezis? - I think the meaning of life is hidden in the answer of this question. 😀

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    1. Lord Dragon
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      I switched, bit more exciting this way.

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    2. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      😀

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  17. Leaf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Just watched England 'highlights' woeful

    Really woeful

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    1. Saniul
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      What did they show in the highlights?

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      1. Leaf
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Some falling over , a few punts into the crowd , sturridge not striking

        And England's future some blokes called Lamps and Milner

        Then they said the manager should keep his job

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    2. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      sounds depressing. Talk to me about Suarez and balotelli

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  18. jpdyolf
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    robbie savage on about his illuminati pyramid structure again - what the f**k is he going on about?

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  19. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Robbie Savage: England need to get Gary Neville involved with the England team.

    Gary Lineker: Gary Neville is involved.

    😆 Gotta love a bit of Robbie.

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      😆 Tosser

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    2. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      haha, awesome punditry.

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  20. Epic Fail
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Sheared looks like he wants to stick the nut on Savage.

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Shearer*

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    2. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Eh, who doesn't?

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    3. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Who doesn't?

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    4. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      stick he nut?

      Is that a euphemism?

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      1. Gnu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        To head-butt. A Glasgow kiss.

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        1. 7shadesofsmoke
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          haha, I see!

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  21. PKB
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Hating Balotelli even more. Not even waiting for the resigned manager. Don;t want him at Arsenal tbh

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    1. 4vets
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      But imagine Balo v Suarez....

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    2. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Drama? what happened?

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      1. PKB
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Didnt wait for Prandelli. Went straight to the bus alone, while others waited for the manager to come!

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        1. 7shadesofsmoke
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          whats that, post game, he went and took the seat with the view? I get travel sick too.

          Lacks a bit of class but we al know he a bit childish and i m sure the mamaneger took it with ping a=of salt

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        2. Mílanista
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Balo is probably thinking they'd still be in the comp if Prandelli didn't sub him for fecking Parolo.

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    3. Konig Luther
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      what happened?

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    4. Dr Dream
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Big trouble that boy. Wenger needs to take a very wide berth.

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      1. PKB
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Wenger has handled Viera, Anelka, RVP, Bendtner..Balo is nothing more though.
        Still I'm not a fan of him at Arsenal

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  22. 7shadesofsmoke
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    being double conscious of my language as an occasional contributor, fully battered after good night out with my buys at the barber shop, what in F's name happened d and what s al this about Saureax eating Chiellini?

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    1. Holy See
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Biting strikes thrice.

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      1. 7shadesofsmoke
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        :shockL:

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        1. 7shadesofsmoke
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          😯

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    2. 4vets
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      So, you have a good haircut?

      I believe Suarez would have preferred to eaten Chiellini battered but had to go with the sushi version 🙁

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      1. 7shadesofsmoke
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        sheeeiiiiitttt.

        I don't know what is u pwtiht this hguy .. Really thought he'd turnd the corner after last season..

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    3. Leaf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Injured his teeth

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  23. Lord Dragon
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Most important question; what game do I watch??

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Up to you.

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    2. Holy See
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Greece IC for me.

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  24. The Sarjeant
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    From what teams are you looking at getting defenders from for FPL? Chelsea, West Ham and Crystal Palace look the main ones. What about the other two?

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    1. Saniul
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Stoke, with the delicious starting fixtures.

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      1. PKB
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah, forgot about them. But hard to find a cheap nailed on Stoke defender

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    2. PKB
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Chelsea, United, WestHam, Palace are essential

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      1. Epic Fail
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Not really.

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      2. Glad All Over
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Palace will be overpriced this year. We were only any value at home against bottom half opposition. When they all come in at 5+, no-one will be interested.

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        1. PKB
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          I will take a 5m Speroni and a cheapo gk combo

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          1. Konig Luther
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            if everyone at 5.0, speroni will be 5.5

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    3. VougieDipond
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      1 chelsea and the rest will be cheapos. GK's will also be cheapos.

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    4. Konig Luther
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      will see spurs and united... maybe aston villa (guzan) could be a cheap option

      *without looking at fixtures

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    5. Lucas Leiva
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Dann, Aurier (at Arsenal), Jones, Chelsea cover + some cheapies.

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  25. Les Bleus
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    What do you think the chances are the Zhirkov plays on Thursday? For some reason I have him first sub (mirror game) and Janmaat second coming in for JRod.

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  26. Holy See
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Oddly enough, you can get the word nazis from Karnezis. There are 8 letters in Karnezis. Also 8 in swastika. 3 syllables you may note. Cillessen also 3 syllables. I hope this clears things up for those who may be feeling confused as what step must be taken.

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    1. Saniul
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Confused me even more.

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    2. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      I think we were all thoroughly aware of that, thank you.

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    3. Somalion
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Genocide?

      Notice, 8 letters 😉

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  27. tw
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    So 8pts or karnezis? What have you all gone for?

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    1. Declan
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Karnezis

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  28. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Hoping for a couple of assists or a goal from big Serge tonight. Go on Serge!

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    1. VougieDipond
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      I need HEED for first scorer and I will be happy

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    2. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Kasabian playing in that bloody Charity match again?

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Tbf the ref couldn't take action if he never saw the bite even if he saw the bite mark.

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    2. banskt
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      No bite mark there. All a ploy to show him the red card it seems.

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      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        🙄

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  29. Saniul
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Suarez to win the golden boot?

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    1. Konig Luther
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Suarez to win golden tooth, not boot

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      1. Konig Luther
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Don't know that player. who won in last WC?

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