634x258 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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  1. 41212 Bayol
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    any info on who will start @GK for greece in 1/8?

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  2. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Could do with French and Swiss clean sheets this evening

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

    watching France game cause better atmosphere

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

      aswell as having beckles and drmic versus each other, never nice to watch 0_-

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

    I have the Alpine Messi to score first in swiss game

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    1. JT's Dog
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Then u win

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        1. JT's Dog
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Messi like goal

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          • VougieDipond
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Wehey Boom!

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      • PGR
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Shaqiri!!!!

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      • JT's Dog
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Shaquri goal

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          1. Konig Luther
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            assist?

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        • Messiah Hazard
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months 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
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            i think... i will retain some 1m

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            1. Konig Luther
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              i think no.. same budget*

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          2. Tommytour
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Triple Greek Defence for starters

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            1. Ginkapo FPL
              • 14 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              pfft that was so group stage

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

          those hips dont lie

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        • Bubz
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          YESSSSSSSSSS

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          1. FortunesAlwaysHiding
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            😉

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        • Zep
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Have Shaqiri in Fox.. 😎

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

            he could get arrested for that

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

              unless its sam fox

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        • King Nil Miss ✩
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          SHAK!

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        • Bubz
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Shaqiri to outscore JRod! My transfer was genius..

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        • crystalpalaceRus
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Wow nice goal and pts 🙂

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        • Dr Dream
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

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

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

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

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            1. Studgie G
              • 14 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              xhaka i think not sure if it will count though

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            2. Dr Dream
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 5 months 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
                11 years, 5 months 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
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Lichtsteiner.

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

                Cheers

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        • VougieDipond
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          8/1 nice price nice goal

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        • Saniul
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Sold Shaqiri to get Oscar on Fox. 😐

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        • Gimli son of Gloin
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Sakho elbow.
          Worse than what Suarez did.

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          1. Evs
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 16 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

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

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        • Evs
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Blind has only had 1 yellow (not 2).

          Response to comment on last page.

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

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

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          1. JT's Dog
              11 years, 5 months ago

              * honduras

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

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

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            1. Fantasy Gold
              • 11 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              I am a better player than Tony V

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

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

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              1. 7shadesofsmoke
                • 12 Years
                11 years, 5 months ago

                Anchelotti ©

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

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

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                  1. 7shadesofsmoke
                    • 12 Years
                    11 years, 5 months ago

                    😯 That thing must have its own passport.

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          4. Fantasy Gold
            • 11 Years
            11 years, 5 months 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
              11 years, 5 months ago

              had £10 on him FGS @ 8s

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              1. Fantasy Gold
                • 11 Years
                11 years, 5 months ago

                Nice mate well done 🙂

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

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

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                  1. Fantasy Gold
                    • 11 Years
                    11 years, 5 months ago

                    Benz hat trick please

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          5. Saniul
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Lichsteiner got the assist.

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          6. Tony Warner Fan Club
            • 11 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Evra rested 🙁

            Schar starting 😀

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          7. Revival
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Lichtsteiner assist 😎

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          8. Studgie G
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

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

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            1. MJ6987
              • 15 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

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

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              1. Studgie G
                • 14 Years
                11 years, 5 months 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
                  11 years, 5 months ago

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

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          9. Dr Dream
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Question 2

            Which fans sing the theme tune to Captain Pugwash ?

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            1. MJ6987
              • 15 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Fleetwood?

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

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

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

            Shaqiri is the rugbyest looking player in this tournament.

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            1. Tony Warner Fan Club
              • 11 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Hulk looks pretty Rugby.

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

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

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            1. Studgie G
              • 14 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              germany

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

              Germany will smash them imo.

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

                The Manaus factor

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

                what rank are you now in mcd's?

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

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

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

                    Nice!

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

              I'm hoping for a US win

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

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

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            5. Konig Luther
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              3-1

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          12. Tommytour
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 5 months 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
              11 years, 5 months 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
                11 years, 5 months 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
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Do you think that Holland will definitely get past Mexico?

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