634x258 Dugout Discussion
26 June 2014 3877 comments
Paul Paul
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We reach the end of the group stages of Brazil 2014 this evening as the last 16 match-ups are finalised. Group G gets us up and running at 5pm and with all four of the teams still in with a shout of progressing, Fantasy managers will be hoping there’s less chance of rest and rotation. Germany face up to USA and Portugal square up to a Ghana side devoid of Kevin Prince-Boateng and Sulley Muntari after both players were sent home for disciplinary reasons earlier today:

Germany: Neuer; Boateng, Hummels, Mertesacker, Howedes; Lahm, Kroos, Schweinsteiger; Ozil, Muller, Podolski

USA: Howard; Johnson, Gonzalez, Besler, Beasley; Jones, Beckerman; Davis, Bradley, Zusi; Dempsey

Joachim Low makes a couple of changes from the side that drew with Ghana. The Germany manager brings in Bastian Schweinsteiger for Sami Khedira in the centre of the park, while Lukas Podolski comes in for Mario Gotze in the front three. Thomas Muller owners will be looking for more of the same, after the Bayern man notched three goals and an assist in the opening couple of matches, whilst those holding Mesut Ozil will be desperate for an improvement after a couple of patchy displays so far.

Jurgen Klinsmann also makes two alterations as he attempts to get the better of his native country. Omar Gonzalez replaces Geoff Cameron in central defence, whilst Brad Davis gets the nod ahead of Alejandro Bedoya on the right flank – Clint Dempsey is looking to score for the third successive match, though the likes of Michael Bradley and Graham Zusi also offer a threat from the attacking midfield positions.

Portugal: Beto; Pereira, Alves, Pepe, Veloso; W Carvalho, Moutinho, Amorim; Nani, Eder, Ronaldo

Ghana: Dauda; Afful, Boye, Mensah, Asamoah; Rabiu, Agyemang-Badu; Atsu, Waris, A Ayew; Gyan

Paulo Bento welcomes Pepe back from suspension for the vital game with Ghana, as Ricardo Costa drops out to accommodate the Real Madrid man at centre-half. The Portugal boss makes three further changes, drafting in William Carvalho, Ruben Amorim and Eder for Andre Almeida, Raul Meireles and Helder Postiga – the former two look set to be installed in the middle, with Miguel Veloso shifting to left-back. All eyes will be on Cristiano Ronaldo, though, as he looks to get his goal account finally up and running and fire his side into the last 16.

Prince-Boateng and Muntari’s omissions are the only two changes from Kwesi Appiah after a very encouraging draw with Germany. Udinese player Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu comes into the double-pivot to replace Muntari, whilst the highly-rated Abdul Majeed Waris is tucked in behind Asaomoah Gyan up top. Andrew Ayew, with a goal in both group games so far, looks the major threat for the Africans once again.

Later on, Belgium go head-to-head with South Korea as Marc Wilmots’ side look to end the group stages with a 100% record. Bearing in mind they’re already through, though, there’s a fear that we could see a number of changes from the Europeans in this one, with Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne owners hoping they’ll keep their places in the starting XI. Up top, Wilmots may well omit Romelu Lukaku from his line-up after subbing off the Chelsea man in each of the first two games, whilst at the back, Belgium are set to be without both Vincent Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen through injury.

Those defensive concerns will afford the Koreans optimism and with three goals in their first two matches, they present a definite threat to Thibaut Courtois’ clean sheet prospects. The highly-rated Son Heung-min grabbed his first of the tournament in Matchday 2 and, having netted 10 times for Leverkusen in the previous Bundesliga campaign, carries the main threat for Hon Myung-bo’s side.

Despite scoring once and picking up a single point in their opening two matches, Russia are still in with a shout of making the last 16. A win against Algeria, coupled with a Belgian triumph over South Korean, will take Fabio Capello’s side through – Alexander Kokorin looks their best chance of netting, though Alexander Kerzhakov will be hoping for his first start after climbing off the bench in the first pair of fixtures.

After an emphatic 4-2 win over South Korea, Vahid Halilhodzic’s side will approach this one with little fear. Islam Slimani, Abdelmoumene Djabou and Sofiane Feghouli have all served up a goal and assist in the first two fixtures and will fancy their chances of picking up further returns against an unconvincing backline that has been breached in both their opening matches.

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

    Biggest needs for next round, for me its Robben, Hames, Benzema & Greek defence

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

      I'm actually thinking of dropping Benzema for Mueller

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

      muller,karim for me

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

      agreed

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  2. Siva Mohan
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Mathieu VALBUENA >> Kevin DE BRUYNE or Nabil BENTALEB?

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

      KDB if he starts Jesse

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      1. Siva Mohan
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        KDB on bench.. go for Bentaleb and pray he doesn't do a JRod?

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    2. pundit of punts
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Bentaleb.

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    3. BantamPhil
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Bentaleb

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

    Djabou or Lukaku to replace a 5 point Griezmann, need opinions!!

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

      Lukaku not starting

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    2. r9rivera
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Russia are better defensively then Korea (when djabou broke out) but I dont think Lukaku is playing at all. I would use Djabou. This is a 1 point gamble at the most in my opinion

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  4. Heels_Over_Head
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Higuain's 3 points, or gamble Hazard comes off the bench a la James?

    (just about convinced myself with that argument)

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

      Only 3 points, worth the risk imo

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  5. palace ash
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Worth subbing someone incase kdb comes of the bench?

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

    odds of lukaku or kdb coming off the bench?

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    1. Jimbo123
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I reckon one of them will 🙂

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

    anyone else unable to log in to McD's?

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

    Lol at people reporting that neither Madrid or Barca have said they are no longer interested in signing Suarez. Well as they never said they were going to try and buy him why on earth would they? 🙄

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

      Liked that headline yesterday that Suaz was now off to the Nou Chomp.

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    2. r0nh
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Todays news will have little impact on teams desire to sign him.

      9 league games & a couple of CL games.

      Pretty much the same as last season & even tight arse Wenger was still trying to sign him.

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  9. EmreCan Hustle
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    How does this round of 16 front 8 look for the Fox game?

    Robben Muller Rodriguez Valbuena Cuadrado
    Messi Neymar Benzema

    Any better options?

    Thanks.

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

      Sell Cuadrado, get a cheapie like Bentaleb.

      You're anyway going to play 7.

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      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        You don't get too many transfers later on, might help to have 5 playing midfielders. That is my thinking.

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    2. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Looks good
      Same except I have DiMaria over Cuaddrado

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      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Di Maria is expensive! Where have you made the compromise?

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

    that belgium lineup is true?

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    1. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      It's true.

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      1. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Actually, I'm not too sure. It's 1h 40m til KO, and no lineup is confirmed at this stage.
        However it is the one that's been floating around these parts for a while.

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

          it is 100% true

          confirmed by other newssites as well

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    2. Kip
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      http://www.nieuwsblad.be/sportwereld/cnt/dmf20140626_01156553

      known to be thrustworthy

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

    If you had to choose between Robben or Benzema?

    Benzema been delivering big the first 2 matches, but looked helpless in the last match.

    Robben been consistent, but that Mexico defense looks very tight.

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

      No brainer for me - Robben,

      France will get found out - they haven't beaten anyone of worth yet.

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

        Cheers, I agree.

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

    Lose 4 points for two of Kombarov, Medjani and Bentaleb

    Or lose 11 points for all three

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

      Keep the 7 pointer.

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

        Which two would you bring in, thanks 🙂

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

          kombarov, other two are same.. you'd just be hoping for a goal or assist from one of them

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

    help me pick 2 from 3 please. Kombarov, KDB, Bentaleb

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

      kombarov and bentaleb,kdb not starting it seems

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

      Komb & Benta as KDB is benched apparently

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

      guess thats what he gets for being crap. cheers guys

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

    To everyone asking if they should stick or twist...

    Just do it!
    It's only the freaking McD's WC game.

    Live a little... throw caution to the wind.

    Let out your inner wild side bc come the fall & FPL season you'll long for the days when you got to make 11 subs in a single game week...

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

      Easy to say when there is $50,000 car up for grabs.

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

        a Kia Soul is worth that much? Does anyone ever buy one?

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        1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Wow just checked they are worth about 12.5 K sterling....

          Looks shite

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      2. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Surely you mean $5k 🙂

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

          Nah...NZ economy is thriving. That's why so many kiwis are travelling 🙂

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

      But the car?

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

    Russia lineup out yet ?

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  16. LSONG
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    100 from 7, shame I only have 2 left too go. Pique (Terrible pick on my part), Evra, Valubuena and Hazard. Got Bentaleb and Kombarov still to go. And too top it all off, the one algerian defender I picked for 1mill is the one that has never played 😀

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  17. A Defender's Nightmare
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Who takes Penalties for Algeria? Slimani?

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    1. Andrew7
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      feghouli

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

        ^^^

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

      Bloody well hope so!!!

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

      Fegooli by the looks of it. http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/world-cup-set-piece-table/

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    4. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      It is Sofiane Feghouli. Scored one in the first round. (vs Belgium)

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

    Medjiani benteleb Kombarov

    out 6,6 & 7 pointers

    I think i'll leave out the alergians and bring in kombarov

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

      Sensible

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

    still can't log into McD's got lots of circular 'updating' type icons on the homepage, anyone else affected?

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

      What you using PC/phone etc

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

        on my home pc, been sweet as until tonight. I've got logged in now, but may team pages are blank with the circle things all over them

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

          Not sure I've had problems on my phone before today and downloaded Puffin browser touch wood everything seems to work fine with that.

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  20. bigdon
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Need 3 from KDB, Kombarov, Medjani, Alderweireld, Bentaleb

    Was thinking Kdb, Alderweireld and Bentaleb

    regret taking de maria off now

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

      KDB and Alderweireld aint playing according to reports

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

        fuark, well that forces my hand then

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  21. Jafalad
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Who is playing that little blighter, Djabou? May as well give him a go in place of Kroos' 4 points.

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  22. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Gimme a CS and a helper from Kombarov and Im over 100 on Fox
    Even with DiMaria

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

    Ooh..Up another two places in Fox...12 OR rank now...

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

      impressive!

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  24. Djerbil
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Belgium XI:
    Courtois, Vanden Borre, Van Buyten, Lombaerts, Vertonghen, Defour, Dembele, Fellaini, Mertens, Januzaj, Mirallas.

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

      Official?

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

        https://twitter.com/BelRedDevils

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

          Ta

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      2. Djerbil
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        no

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  25. People in Preston
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    For a friend who took the alice band of Di Maria and put it on Lahm.

    Lahm's not in my squad so any idea what he scored?

    Danke.

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

      8

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

        Make that 9. A point has been added

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  26. Marouane Fellatio
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Djabou or Kokorin?

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

    Settle something between my mate & I about the Suarez ruling...

    "The player Luis Suárez is to be suspended for nine (9) official matches... The remaining match suspensions shall be served in Uruguay’s next FIFA World Cup match(es)."

    Now, I think this is literal & the 27 yr olf Suarez has 'essentially' received a 2 World Cup ban however, my mate feels that qualifiers would count towards the 9 'official' matches.

    So which is it FFS?

    9 World Cup matches or the next 9 'official' Uruguayan games?

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

      Next nine official matches, so this includes qualifiers...

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    2. People in Preston
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Any FIFA sanctioned matches.

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    3. tw
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      includes qualifiers

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

      Nowhere near harsh enough then...

      It should be the rest of this WC & at least the Group Stages of the next.

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  28. Andrew7
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Should Dzagoev start for Russia?

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  29. puddingbrood
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    KDB or Lukaku? o both and remove someone with 8 points.

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    1. Marouane Fellatio
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Neither playing

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  30. SuryaXO
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    MCD: I have Kroos (5) who I am thinking of taking out and and an empty slot in midfield (could change formation and have that slot as a forward). Choices: KdB, Bentaleb and Lukaku.

    Which 2 should I play? Or play only one and keep Kroos?

    Please advise, FFS!

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