[sbu_large_image] Dugout Discussion
25 June 2014 3486 comments
Paul Paul
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Groups E and F come to their conclusions this evening as the Brazil 2014 World Cup treats us to four more fixtures. Argentina are already through, after winning both their opening matches courtesy of late Lionel Messi strikes, and the South Americans square up to a Nigeria side who require just a draw to join them in the last 16:

Argentina: Romero; Zabaleta, Garay, Fernandez, Rojo; Gago, Mascherano, Di Maria; Messi, Higuain, Aguero

Nigeria: Enyeama; Ambrose, Omeruo Yobo, Oshaniwa; Mikel, Onazi; Odemwingie, Babatunde, Musa; Emenike,

Alejandro Sabella names an unchanged XI from the side that edged past Iran last time around. Despite the fact that his side have clinched a place in the last 16, the Argentina boss has resisted the urge to rest and rotate and is clearly affording his first-choice players the chance to step up in performance, after a pair of very unconvincing showings thus far. Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero once again lead the line, then, with Angel Di Maria owners looking for the Real Madrid man to improve his contribution from the centre of the park.

Nigeria – along with Mexico – were one of only two sides to register a clean sheet in both the opening Matchdays. It’s no real surprise, then, to see the Africans remain unchanged, with Peter Odemwingie hoping to replicate his winner against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the previous match as Stephen Keshi’s side attempt to pick up the point which would ensure their progress.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Begovic; Vrsajevic, Sunjic, Spahic, Kolasinac; Hadzic, Besic, Susic, Pjanic; Ibisevic, Dzeko

Iran: Haghighi; Montarezi, Hosseini, Sadeghi, Pooladi; Nekounam, Teymourian; Shojaei, Hajsafi, Dejagah; Ghoochannejad

Bosnia make five changes in their final game of the tournament. In defence, full-backs Avdija Vrsajevic and Sead Kolasinac come in for Mensur Mujdza and SenadLulic, whilst further up the field, Zvjedan Misimovic, Izet Hajrovic and Haris Medunjanin drop out for Anel Hadzic, Tino-Sven Susic and Vedad Ibisevic. Manager Safet Susic looks to have returned to the 4-1-3-2 formation that served his side so well in qualifying, with Ibisevic up front alongside Edin Dzeko.

Iran, meanwhile, are unchanged for the showdown as Carlos Quieroz’ side attempt to overcome the odds and make it through to the knockouts. As the only team in the tournament yet to score a goal, though, they face a tough task to get the better of the Bosnians.

In the later matches, Karim Benzema owners will be desperate for the France striker to continue the form which has harvested three goals and a trio of assists in the opening couple of Matchdays. With his side already through, though, Didier Deschamps certainly has the option of resting key players, with the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba hoping to return to the starting XI after both were dropped for last week’s 5-2 win over Switzerland. Opponents Ecuador have an in-form frontman of their own as they look for the result that would steer them through – Enner Valencia has also notched three times in the first two games and has netted in six of his last seven international appearances.

Switzerland also have plenty to play for. A win over Honduras, coupled with at least a draw for the French, would seal the progress of Ottmar Hitzfeld’s side as they look to bounce back from their mauling at the hands of Les Bleus, though the Swiss boss has decisions to make up front, after alternating Josip Drmic and Haris Seferovic as the lone forward over the first two games. Fantasy managers will be hoping raiding left-back Ricardo Rodriguez can replicate his pair of assists in Matchday 1, whilst Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka offer the main threat in the attacking midfield three.

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3,486 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. VougieDipond
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    I have the Alpine Messi to score first in swiss game

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    1. JT's Dog
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Then u win

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      1. JT's Dog
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Messi like goal

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      2. VougieDipond
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Wehey Boom!

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  2. PGR
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Shaqiri!!!!

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  3. JT's Dog
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Shaquri goal

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    1. Konig Luther
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      assist?

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  4. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Maybe a stupid question but is there a budget increase to buy players in McD game for the knockout stages. Not sure I can fit 23 players from teams that are knocked out.

    If not what's the strategy everyone going to follow? Retain the 1m guys and buy a strong XI

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    1. Konig Luther
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      i think... i will retain some 1m

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      1. Konig Luther
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        i think no.. same budget*

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    2. Tommytour
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Triple Greek Defence for starters

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      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        pfft that was so group stage

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  5. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    those hips dont lie

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  6. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    YESSSSSSSSSS

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    1. FortunesAlwaysHiding
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      😉

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  7. Zep
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Have Shaqiri in Fox.. 😎

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    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      he could get arrested for that

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      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        unless its sam fox

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  8. King Nil Miss ✩
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    SHAK!

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  9. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Shaqiri to outscore JRod! My transfer was genius..

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  10. crystalpalaceRus
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Wow nice goal and pts 🙂

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  11. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Shaqiri...get in...Told you Bubz...Told you...

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    1. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Just need 2 more goals now 😀 . Who assisted that btw do you know?

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      1. Studgie G
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        xhaka i think not sure if it will count though

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      2. Dr Dream
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        I had Peresic in as well so nearly at break even for ditching Rodriguez and Valbuena...90 mins to go...

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        1. Bubz
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          Not bad. Hopefully the wheels fall off Honduras now and Shaqiri tears them a new...

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      3. Pinky and Brain
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Lichtsteiner.

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        1. Bubz
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          Cheers

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  12. VougieDipond
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    8/1 nice price nice goal

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  13. Saniul
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Sold Shaqiri to get Oscar on Fox. 😐

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  14. Gimli son of Gloin
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Sakho elbow.
    Worse than what Suarez did.

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    1. Evs
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      You can't bite with your elbow, well I can't but Suarez is an expert !

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  15. Evs
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Blind has only had 1 yellow (not 2).

    Response to comment on last page.

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    1. Mr Sarcastic
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks Sir, will be in my team next round then.

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    1. JT's Dog
      12 years, 1 month ago

      * honduras

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  16. VougieDipond
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Enner Valencia is really good player much better than his name sake at Man Utd

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    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      I am a better player than Tony V

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  17. Mr Sarcastic
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    How's Valbuena looking in the bench?
    Lively and happy or bored, knowing he won't come in later?
    Any tweets?

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    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Looks lively. Saw him raise an eyebrow. Easy few points for that.

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      1. 7shadesofsmoke
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Anchelotti ©

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        1. Mr Sarcastic
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          Konstadinos Gatsioudis!
          I bet you don't know him tough 🙂

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          1. 7shadesofsmoke
            • 13 Years
            12 years, 1 month ago

            😯 That thing must have its own passport.

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  18. Fantasy Gold
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Had £20 on Shaqiri AGS. Not in my fantasy team and rivals will gain ground on me but really happy 🙂

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    1. VougieDipond
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      had £10 on him FGS @ 8s

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      1. Fantasy Gold
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Nice mate well done 🙂

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        1. VougieDipond
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          😀 Benzema next to keep the money rolling in. Won zilch yesterday.

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          1. Fantasy Gold
            • 12 Years
            12 years, 1 month ago

            Benz hat trick please

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  19. Saniul
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Lichsteiner got the assist.

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  20. Tony Warner Fan Club
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Evra rested 🙁

    Schar starting 😀

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  21. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Lichtsteiner assist 😎

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  22. Studgie G
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Could Drmic actually make an appearance for once, shows how crap bundesliga is...

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    1. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      He's making an appearance. But that will probably be about all he does.

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      1. Studgie G
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        all he's done is walk around the pitch all 3 games what a joker

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        1. Studgie G
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          people think lukaku has been bad they haven't seen this guy

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  23. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Question 2

    Which fans sing the theme tune to Captain Pugwash ?

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    1. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Fleetwood?

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    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Seaman Stains, Master Bates and Roger the cabin boy. Don't know who they support though 😉

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  24. tm245
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Shaqiri is the rugbyest looking player in this tournament.

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    1. Tony Warner Fan Club
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Hulk looks pretty Rugby.

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  25. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Everyone on the Germany vs USA match to be a draw?

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    1. Studgie G
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      germany

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    2. SW6
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Germany will smash them imo.

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      1. SW6
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        The Manaus factor

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      2. VougieDipond
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        what rank are you now in mcd's?

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        1. SW6
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          Was 1st after the Brazil game, now 9th after making a couple subs.

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          1. VougieDipond
            • 13 Years
            12 years, 1 month ago

            Nice!

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    3. Hamstergod
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      I'm hoping for a US win

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    4. VougieDipond
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Hoping Ozil remembers how to play but won't hold my breath

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    5. Konig Luther
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      3-1

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  26. Tommytour
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Surely best thing for fox is to load up on Netherlands and Argentina?

    Netherlands v Mexico then CR/Greece
    Argentina v Swiss then Belguim/USA Ghana Portugal

    Other teams have much tougher QF games then wildcard for semis

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    1. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Looks like a good idea. But Mexico are very solid at the back, can't see many goals being scored by Neths.

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      1. Tommytour
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Well everyone will have a Robben anyway, I'm going to double at the back with one benched and add RVP

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    2. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Do you think that Holland will definitely get past Mexico?

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  27. chrisjdgrady
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Who's been everyone's biggest fantasy let down so far?

    Easily Ozil for me.

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    1. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Di Maria

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    2. Declan
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Kun

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      1. Declan
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        and Hazar'

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    3. VougieDipond
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Higuain, Ozil, Di Maria, KDB in that order

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    4. Dr Dream
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      LUKAKU !!!!

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      1. Hamstergod
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        this

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    5. Tony Warner Fan Club
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Di Maria and KDB

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    6. Pinky and Brain
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Di Maria, picking Schaer is three fantasy games.

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    7. Konig Luther
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Di Maria, Higuain

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    8. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      KDB, Lukaku, Ronaldo

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    9. Lucas Leiva
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Fantasy wise: Lukaku & Aguero.

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    10. SW6
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      KdB

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    11. Studgie G
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      half my team has, too many to mention

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    12. r0nh
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Your sister.

      The rumours werent true 🙁

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      1. chrisjdgrady
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        >_

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    13. Zombie
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Only Di Maria

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    14. McGrubbs
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Di Maria, Drnic and Lukaku

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  28. The Sarjeant
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    I did start to write up an article about Ronald Koeman, but since the Scouts have already covered most of the points, I thought it'd be pointless writing it. But here's a few other key points:

    - Top goal scoring defender in the world.

    - Took Ajax, Benfica + PSV to the quarter-finals of the Champions League. The former two being knocked out by eventual winners.

    - He has great faith in youth. At Ajax he guided Heitinga, van der Vaart, Ibrahimovic + Maxwell - all youngsters, to a league + cup double. Brought more youngsters into the team - de Jong, Sneijder, Vermaelen + Babel. Whilst giving debuts to de Stekelenburg and Pienaar as well.

    - Clasie, Martins Indi, de Vrij, Vihena, Boëtius + Kongolo from Feyenoord all debuted under Koeman for Holland.

    - 5 players from Feyenoord have gone to the World Cup to play for Holland.

    - de Vrij, Martins Indi + Janmaat have started all of Hollands games and have conceded only 1 goal from open play. Kongolo has made an appearance.

    - Koeman managed 102 league games at Feyenoord, keeping 35 clean sheets - 22 being at home.

    - Faces a tough task holding onto key players at Southampton. Shaw, Lallana, Wanyama, Lovren, Rodriguez, Clyne + Schneiderlin have all been linked with a move away from the club. Those players combined averaged 69.94 minutes per game last season and scored 53.70% of Southampton's goals - 77.77% if you include the already departed Rickie Lambert.

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  29. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Is Giroud injured or is this just giving a chance for Benzema to win a new boot?

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    1. The Missing Link
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Very confused too

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    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      They have rested 6 or 7 players

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      1. Dr Dream
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah I know..could have rested Benzema as well. Just be fancying that Golden Boot.

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