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. Saniul
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    I expected JRod to play the entire game, and Cuadrado to be rested, as per the newspapers.
    So not too unhappy there.

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  2. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Manolas 7
    Maniatis 7

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  3. Mr Sarcastic
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    I bet Koscielny will score, keep cs, get dozen rb's and blocked shots tomorrow.....just like all casual picks (spain defence and oscar, muller, robben getting points in dying minutes) lately.

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  4. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    looks like ill be goin mbolhi again

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  5. SW6
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Jamessssssssss

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  6. tm245
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Yoshida is on 9 pts

    5-3-2 might be the way to go.

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  7. SW6
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    What a goal!

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  8. Konig Luther
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    JAMES BABY.......... GOALLLLL

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  9. GunsnRoses
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    If only Hames started the game he would have got the penalty as well I guess 😉

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  10. tm245
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Hames!!!!

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  11. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    I think I need to pick Hames for the knockout stages

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    1. tm245
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Me too.

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  12. VougieDipond
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Oh My God what a player

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  13. PKB
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Sheer Genius. Why didnt I captain him!!!!!!!

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    1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Why didn't I pick him

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  14. Jimmers
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    He's making a right Hames of it! 🙂

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  15. Shels
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    james came on and he;s on 11points, did he just score ROFL

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  16. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Who will win the cup?

    France for me

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    1. Mr Sarcastic
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      No real reason to change, still Argentina.
      France is only team that has impressed in both games tough.

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    2. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Netherlands (regardless of what my username says)

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  17. Mr Sarcastic
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    uuuuhh....aaahhhhh......james.....I bet his quite popular pick next round 🙂 🙁

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  18. SW6
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Player of the World Cup so far.

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  19. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    *logs off*

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  20. Heydudes13
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Did gerv get subbed?

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  21. shazzaaam
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    daaamn JRoders i hate y'all

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  22. crystalpalaceRus
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Jrod what a legend

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  23. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Penalty Greece !!!

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  24. Konig Luther
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    And they don't have Falcao....

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    1. Hamstergod
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I think that might one of the reasons, they are doing so well

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  25. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    WOW!!

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  26. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Nooooooooooooooooooo

    Ooooooooooo

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  27. Hamstergod
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    wow, penalty

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  28. Zep
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    OMG

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  29. GunsnRoses
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    At all Cuadrado owner 😆

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    1. Mr Sarcastic
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      16 + 9 and I should be sad?

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  30. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    That's bullish....

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