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. VougieDipond
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Afternoon all. Any Columbia team news yet/

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

    This ref is either awful or awfully bias.

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

      There have been many pens not given in this tourney. Bottlers

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  3. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Lovely stuff from Veratti

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

      You watching two games at once?

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      1. JK - Cønt ⭐
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        yup. The wonders of having a telly that will do split screen

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  4. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Who to captain in this team?

    Ospina
    Evra - Zabaleta - Howedes
    Oscar - Cuadrado - KDB - Di Maria - Müller
    Benzema - Gervinho

    Armband is currently on Benzema but I'm considering Cuadrado or Müller.

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  5. Siva Mohan
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Arsenal Officially Pass on Option to Re-Sign Carlos Vela From Real Sociedad

    "Real Sociedad have reached an agreement with Arsenal FC which will allow Carlos Vela to continue at the club on a permanent basis. The player meanwhile, has signed a contract extension which ties him to Real Sociedad for the next four seasons. The player's previous contract was due to expire in June 2016".

    - http://www.realsociedad.com/document/view/spa/0/175516/-como-en-la-real-en-ningun-lugar-

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

    His name is Buffon 😎

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  7. Shels
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    decent double save by buffon

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  8. tm245
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    I never owned Balotelli in FPL so I had no idea how annoying he was to root for. Can't wait to ship him out.

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

      His indiscipline has always been a bigger factor than his talent 🙂

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      1. tm245
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Owning both him and Suarez is not for the faint of heart.

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  9. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Uruguay are trying to goad Mario. Might be working as well

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

      I'd like to see Mario punch Suarez.

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      1. Werkself
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Is that because you want to see Italy down to 10? 🙂

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

    Godin already 2 blocked shots!

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

    Hope Phil Jones gets regular first team football under LvG. Do much potential

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Always fecking injured

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    2. CABAYE4
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Playing where?

      Not convinced he's good enough to start CB for Man U.

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

    Italy doing what Italy do...yaaaawwwnnn...

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

      Chelsea Chelsea Chelsea

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    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      England doing what England do 😉

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

        They're not losing...yet!

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        1. HuttonDressedasLahm
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          I mean going out early 🙂

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

          England to sneak it CMON !

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      2. RÏɠBY
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        can't believe i rushed home for this..

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  13. RÏɠBY
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    milner best english player soo far.. always overlooked

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  14. Shels
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    thats the 2nd time Uruguay tried to lob buffon from 50/70 yards

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

    Some big decisions will have to be made for FPL.

    Suarez v Sturridge - the money saved.

    Ramsey v Walcott v Ozil.

    Anyone think of any others?

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    1. Shels
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Suarez won't be there

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

      The age old RVP vs Rooney

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

        Surely RVP's the better pick with van Gaal around?

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

          Yeah but what if Rooney is ~£2m cheaper

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

            Think ill still go with RVP!

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

              Rooney on pens and free-kicks though 😉

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      2. Werkself
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        How do you suppose will LvG manage that?

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

          Not sure, maybe Rooney will play the role that Robben plays for Netherlands. Very different players though.

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    3. RÏɠBY
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      be suprised if suarez is still around.. have ramsey AND walcott 😉

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

      Sturridge won't be much cheaper than Suarez

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

        He'll still be cheaper, and he could work out to be the better pick.

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    5. gers23
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Fabregas v hazard?

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

        Oscar could be thrown in there as well.

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

        This

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

        Hazard

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  16. Shels
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    uruquay might go 1-0 in this.. Italy really are risking it

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

    Managers in a suit and tie looks so stiff and so old.

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

      you never know they might be straight off to
      an interview after the game 🙂

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

        We can only hope so in this case

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  18. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Oh god, here comes the goal 🙁

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Phew!

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

    Hope the Italians get smashed. Talk about diving.

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  20. gers23
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    How much do we expect Hazard, Fabregas and Oscar to be this season?

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

      11,10,9

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      1. The 12th Man
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        if there that much they wont be in my team, especially Oscar

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    2. GunsnRoses
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      With Costa and Ramires and Willian and few more they are almost 20 points ahead of any other team.
      Chelsea could get to 114 points this season

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

        Oh price ? 😮 😮
        10.5
        10
        9

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    3. The 12th Man
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      9.5, 9, 8

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  21. GunsnRoses
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Is it new fashion that many players are playing with two different coloured boots? 😀

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

        Chellini also ...

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

          Yeah, basically everyone who is sponsored by Puma.

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    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      I've been wearing different coloured socks for years. Preempting fashion. 😎 😆

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    2. RÏɠBY
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      it's so they know their left from their right 😉

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  22. Louis
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    From what we have seen of Joel Campbell in this World Cup, is he ready for Premier League football and could he prove himself to be a decisive player for Arsenal? or should he be loaned again?

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    1. CABAYE4
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Premier League loan imo.

      I'd have him at Newcastle!

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    2. LOCO ABREU
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      could be part of a deal or something. not prepared for premier imo

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    3. GunsnRoses
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      I think as a back up he is at least a few miles ahead of Sanogo

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    4. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Good bench player.

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      1. Wilshere Knowledge
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        For the wing, not as a 9.

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    5. dribbler
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      I think he'll be a useful squad player to take the pressure off Giroud

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

      He should go to a bottom half team in the Premier League.

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

        We (baggies) were linked to him on loan, but I haven't heard anything recently. I'd take him on loan...

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

        Arsenal don't really loan out their players to other teams of the Premier League though. They'd rather loan him out to another league I guess.

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        1. Wilshere Knowledge
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Miyaichi went to Wigan, Wilshere went to Bolton. We don't loan many players, but we have done it.

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

            Very true, but Arsenal's tend to rather send their players away (Campbell, Djourou, Coquelin and Park this year). Unlike Chelsea or Liverpool who send most of their players to other teams in the Premier League.

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    7. MITHRRANDIRR
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Gyan looked the real deal too

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

        Doing well where he's ended up

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  23. Shels
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    i'm going for shower, feel dirty after watching all this play-acting by chielini and balotelli, terrible to watch, the other team just as bad

    terrible to watch, grown men at the height of their sport, what other sport do you get it?

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    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      The snooker lads are always at it.

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      1. Shels
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        play-acting in snooker would make it interesting, all those fake injuries from splinters n all

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

      The biggest problem in football imo. Really embarrassing in many occassions. Not too difficult to stamp out though

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      1. Shels
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        ya just after match bans, simple

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

          Referees have to be much stricter with yellow cards for diving. Not stopping the game when people are lying 'injured' too, just let the physios on while the game is going on.

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  24. pundit of punts
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Colombia lineup out yet?

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    1. Shels
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      David Ospina
      Cristian Zapata
      Mario Yepes
      Santiago Arias
      Juan Camilo Zuniga
      Juan Quintero
      Carlos Sanchez
      James Rodriguez
      Victor Ibarbo
      Abel Aguilar
      Jackson Martinez

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      1. pundit of punts
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        That's the livescore lineup right? Is it confirmed?

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      2. Ben Mee Over A Table
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Is that actually the starting lineup or just a guess?

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      3. A Defender's Nightmare
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Is this official? Cuadrado?

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      4. LOCO ABREU
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        why would Pekerman risk Carlos Sanchez(yc) and Yepes(not 100%fit)?

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  25. The 12th Man
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    must be a long national anthem if their lined up now

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  26. X T I A N
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Chances of Carlos Valdes playing for Colombia tonight?

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    1. LOCO ABREU
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      think yepes will be rested but balanta can play instead

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

      nope

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  27. Ben Mee Over A Table
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    I haven't been watching the Uruguay v Italy game. How dangerous is Suarez looking and which team has created the better chances?

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    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      It may as well not have started.

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      1. Shels
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        🙂

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    2. Shels
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      caceras tried to lob buffon from 70 yards and it went about 70 yards wide...

      buffon made a quarter decent double save, besides that and the 30 free kicks we've had noting

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  28. WorldCupDanB
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Does anyone know is Howedes at risk of losing his place for Germany?

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  29. JT's Dog
      11 years, 6 months ago

      rafa nadal has just won me 80p

      betsson have so many rules not to give you money back

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

        Well done

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    • JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      24 fouls in the first half of Italy v Uruguay

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      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        There's a surprise.

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