[sbu_large_image] Dugout Discussion
25 June 2014 3486 comments
Paul Paul
Share:

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.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

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

    This is a nice reminder to not be tempted by Aguero yet again next season.

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

      Yep, I vowed to never get him in a fantasy team again after this season. This reinforces that.

      Open Controls
    2. Zombie
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Aguero & Kolarov do dark magic...You can't stay away from them

      Open Controls
      1. tm245
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        This. Always room in my squad for at least one abusive relationship spot.

        Open Controls
    3. Tommytour
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Tempted by Dzeko

      Open Controls
    4. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      He scores a ton when fit though. I think he's worth the transfers personally.

      Open Controls
      1. GunsnRoses
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        This and the greatest differential in his early few matches 🙂

        Open Controls
  2. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    You know Shojaei is not gonna score when he has a shot blocked and a recovered ball 😕

    Open Controls
  3. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Aguero's hamstrings are worse than VdV's

    Open Controls
    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Aye

      Open Controls
    2. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      That's some statement.

      Open Controls
  4. Pinoche
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Yaya on pens now!!

    Open Controls
    1. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Dzeko-wagon.

      Open Controls
    2. Billy Gilmore
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      😀

      Open Controls
  5. Damo.
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    They'll sell him.

    Open Controls
  6. Blue Lion
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Somebody had posted earlier that this was Aguero's 3rd game in a row. As soon as i read it,the first thing that came to my mind was an image of him limping off this game.

    Open Controls
  7. Mikeharbrw
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Wonder how good he'd actually be without the injuries...

    Open Controls
    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Fairly good

      Open Controls
  8. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Not going near Aguero this season. Jelly legs.

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

      Jelavic 😯

      Open Controls
      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        He still play for Hull?

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

          Yeah

          Not bad fixtures to be fair

          Open Controls
          1. Jafooli
            • 14 Years
            12 years, 1 month ago

            RVP - Suarez - Jelly?

            Open Controls
  9. Wolverine
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    The only thing more common than Aguero getting injured is Suarez biting 😀

    Open Controls
    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      😀

      Open Controls
    2. JT's Dog
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Imagine the injury if saurez bit aguero hamstring

      Open Controls
  10. Telpuialion
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Aguero has been the worst buy for the group stages. Should have gone Messi. Thought Aguero would be a bit of a differential over Messi.

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

      Every Argentine player has been a terrible buy apart from Messi

      Open Controls
      1. Billy Gilmore
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Defenders have been aight.

        Open Controls
        1. LOCO ABREU
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          just 1 cs, if garay don't score a goal this game i will be pissed

          Open Controls
        2. Bubz
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          1 clean sheet for their price tags isn't great

          Open Controls
          1. Billy Gilmore
            • 14 Years
            12 years, 1 month ago

            Rojo's cheap.

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

              Not in Fox

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

        Fernandez has been good to me

        Open Controls
      3. Telpuialion
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Rojo has been decent. Atleast he has managed to stay in my final team unlike Aguero. But I agree with you. And I have 3. Gonna get rid for next round, maybe.

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

    Team for next round

    Cillesen.....
    Rojo, Evra/other french, Manolas, Blind.....
    JRod, Cuardado, DiMaria, KDB, Valbuena....
    Neymar, Messi, Benzema....

    I wish there wasn't wc for all, I will have very much same team as now.
    And teams will be very similiar imo.
    Thanfully I'm in good position in ml.

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

      Your seriously still keeping de Bruyne?

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

        well he's cheap...depends who and when they play

        Open Controls
    2. Fray Bentos
      • 17 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Germany?!

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

        Haven't got any atm, because Muller is forward.
        Might continue that way, have to looks things for that tough.

        Open Controls
  12. LOCO ABREU
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    dzeko assist close 🙁

    Open Controls
  13. JT's Dog
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Before aguero went off Argentina reminded me of man city of a couple of years ago

    Open Controls
  14. Piggs Boson
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    It'd be great if you could get at least one goal Higuain...

    Open Controls
    1. tm245
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Or more. Not owning Messi is a horrible feeling.

      Open Controls
    2. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      T'would

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

      assist, goal, effort, name mentioned. something , anything

      Open Controls
    4. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      mmhhhmmmmm

      Open Controls
  15. Blue Lion
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Did Mikel just grop the other guy??

    Open Controls
  16. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Come on Baroque Poet in the first at Naas! 🙂
    It wins, backing Benzema
    It loses, backing Benzema 😉

    Open Controls
  17. JT's Dog
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Neighbours would know when Nigerian keeper is getting some with that shouting

    Open Controls
    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      🙂

      Open Controls
    2. Blue Lion
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      I thought it was a crow.

      Open Controls
  18. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Goal coming up

    Open Controls
    1. Louis
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      nice prediction!!

      Open Controls
  19. Captain Shirokov
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    I love Messi, he never dives! Has such great integrity.

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

      ....And he can hit a free kick !

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

    DiMaria 2 points, Rojo 5 points - sounds about right.

    Open Controls
  21. tm245
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Let Higuain take it!!!

    Open Controls
  22. Louis
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    GOAL MESSI

    Open Controls
  23. Billy Gilmore
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Messi again

    Open Controls
  24. crystalpalaceRus
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Absolutely amazing.

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

    boom

    Open Controls
  26. Captain Shirokov
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    GOLGOLGOLGOLGOLGOGLOGLGOGOGLLG

    MESIISSSIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

    Open Controls
  27. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Knew it 😎

    Open Controls
  28. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    MESSSSSSSIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

    Open Controls
  29. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    😯

    Open Controls
  30. GunsnRoses
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Messi(C) gonna have a gala time

    Open Controls