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. Optimus.
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Aguero off Negredo on

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

    Montazari 5pts too 🙂

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

    This is the reason I went with Messi TGS in case Aguero picked up an injury.

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

    Ah, yes, the Sergio Aguero Experience...

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

    Surprise Surprise

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

      Cilla Black?

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

    Aguero injury , it's so common 😀

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  7. Captain Shirokov
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Sickener on Aguero.

    I don't pity him though, still on like 300k a week.

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  8. bondsdw
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

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

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

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

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    2. Zombie
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

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

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

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

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

      Tempted by Dzeko

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    4. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

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

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

        This and the greatest differential in his early few matches 🙂

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

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

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  10. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Aguero's hamstrings are worse than VdV's

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    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Aye

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    2. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      That's some statement.

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

    Yaya on pens now!!

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    1. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Dzeko-wagon.

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    2. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      😀

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

    They'll sell him.

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  13. Blue Lion
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months 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.

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  14. Mikeharbrw
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

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

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    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Fairly good

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  15. Jafooli
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Not going near Aguero this season. Jelly legs.

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

      Jelavic 😯

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

        He still play for Hull?

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

          Yeah

          Not bad fixtures to be fair

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

            RVP - Suarez - Jelly?

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  16. Wolverine
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

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

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    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      😀

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

        Imagine the injury if saurez bit aguero hamstring

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    3. Telpuialion
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months 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.

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

        Every Argentine player has been a terrible buy apart from Messi

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        1. Billy Gilmore
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Defenders have been aight.

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          1. LOCO ABREU
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

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

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

            1 clean sheet for their price tags isn't great

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            1. Billy Gilmore
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Rojo's cheap.

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

                Not in Fox

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

          Fernandez has been good to me

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        3. Telpuialion
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months 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.

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    4. Mr Sarcastic
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months 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.

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      1. The Sarjeant
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Your seriously still keeping de Bruyne?

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

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

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      2. Fray Bentos
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Germany?!

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

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

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    5. LOCO ABREU
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      dzeko assist close 🙁

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

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

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      • Piggs Boson
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

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

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

          Or more. Not owning Messi is a horrible feeling.

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        2. Fifa las vegas
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          T'would

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

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

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        4. 7shadesofsmoke
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          mmhhhmmmmm

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      • Blue Lion
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Did Mikel just grop the other guy??

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      • Fifa las vegas
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

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

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      • JT's Dog
          11 years, 5 months ago

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

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          1. Fifa las vegas
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            🙂

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          2. Blue Lion
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            I thought it was a crow.

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        • Bubz
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Goal coming up

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

            nice prediction!!

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        • Captain Shirokov
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

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

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

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

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

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

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        • tm245
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Let Higuain take it!!!

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        • Louis
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          GOAL MESSI

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        • Billy Gilmore
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Messi again

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