634x258 Dugout Discussion
26 June 2014 3877 comments
Paul Paul
Share:

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.

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

  1. Beavis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Akinfeev loves costing me points in FiT.

    Open Controls
  2. Epic Fail
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    😯

    Open Controls
  3. Ginkapo FPL
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    If Algeria dont concede, they will make it to the last 16 after being the first african team to score four goals in one match.

    Open Controls
    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Cameroon, eat your heart out!!! 😛

      Open Controls
  4. GunsnRoses
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    I love you Slimaniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

    Open Controls
  5. Konig Luther
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Sli...sli..slimani
    Sli...sli..slimani
    Goal

    Open Controls
  6. BantamPhil
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Where are Medjani's blocked shot points?

    Open Controls
  7. Vote Joke
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Do you reckon those lasers in the face affect the players?

    Open Controls
    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      They can, but didn't affect him.

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

      They would if if was in their eye but that never was. Certainly not a factor in the goal

      Open Controls
  8. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Come on Origi!

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

      Screw you Mertens! Should've got that anytime goal with that sitter , 🙁

      Open Controls
      1. Vote Joke
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        The odds are never in your favour.

        Thanks for making Victor richer.

        Open Controls
    2. Mr Sarcastic
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      How much he is on McD?
      Might be option for next round.

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

    Unbelievable how S Korea always have moe energy than any other team..They get quicker the longer the game goes on.

    Open Controls
  10. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Mbolhi save 😉

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

    I go to piss and come back to see Kombarov yellow + 3 fouls + cs gone, won't do that mistake again!

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

      Try masturbate

      Open Controls
    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Psssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssswssss

      Open Controls
  12. GunsnRoses
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Took out Bony with the hope that Slimani would come good.
    He surely did not disappoint 😉

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

    Assist?

    Open Controls
    1. LewanGOALski
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      -ani or -oni

      Open Controls
  14. VougieDipond
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Kombarov pen to win it

    Open Controls
  15. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    balls there goes kobarovs cleanie then

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

      Inevitable

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

      Mixed emotions I'm playing both

      Open Controls
  16. SW6
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Who did Origi come on for?

    Open Controls
    1. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      mertens

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

      Mertens

      Open Controls
    3. Konig Luther
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      mertens

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

    #IfAlegeria can qualify they'll be the 2nd African team with Geria in their name to make the 2nd round

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

      Nigeria ?

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

        Alan Dzagoev coming on ... this guy will score !

        Open Controls
  18. Atwood
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    A Belgium defender is a must for the next round surely

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

      Why so?

      Open Controls
      1. Atwood
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Only conceded once so far, from a set piece. And USA aren't that high-scoring, personally I'm not impressed by them.

        Open Controls
        1. Hamstergod
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          They played teams like Russia or S. Korea who don't really seem to score much, so I wouldn't judge on that.

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

      USA will score

      Open Controls
    3. SW6
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Probably yeah, USA lack a goalscorer

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

        I think USA will be Altidore is back, I now see what he offers them in terms of pace in behind

        Open Controls
    4. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Why? They're rubbish

      Open Controls
  19. HurriKane
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    6 - Algeria have now scored more goals at the 2014 World Cup than England have in the last two editions (5) 🙂

    Open Controls
  20. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    #IfAlgeria

    Believe.

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

      If USA can do it

      #IfAlgeria

      Open Controls
    2. Konig Luther
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      ifAlgeria draw, they will go to next phase

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

        #IfAlgeria

        Open Controls
  21. TG32
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Hey guys! Just started a new Facebook page in relation to football articles I will write throughout the World Cup. I'm a novice as in blogging but I would hope to build up a bit of experience. In my first article, I write about Sabella's relationship with Argentina's players.

    If ye could give a like it would be great! I've been on the scout for over 2yrs and have been posting & commenting most days throughout the premier league so don't worry, I am one of ye 😀

    https://www.facebook.com/fffantasy.football

    Open Controls
    1. Holy See
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Never seen you before 😉

      Open Controls
      1. TG32
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Haha! I could say the same for you :p

        Open Controls
        1. Holy See
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          You can't have been on here much then 😉 Good like tho, honourable quest.

          Open Controls
          1. Holy See
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            *good luck!

            Open Controls
            1. TG32
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Unless you changed you're grav! I used to have a grav of phil jones with that stupid face haha

              Open Controls
              1. Holy See
                • 15 Years
                11 years, 5 months ago

                Change it quite regularly. Bearded chaps generally 😛

                Open Controls
      1. TG32
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Very deep 😀

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

      Yeah I remember you. From posting this on the last page 🙂

      Sorry don't do facebook apart from friends

      Open Controls
      1. TG32
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Haha, it was bad timing because of Algeria's goal!

        Open Controls
  22. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Wenger mingling with the ladies

    http://i.imgur.com/hwFiYWf.jpg

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

      😯 😀

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

      Who is taking the pics then?

      Open Controls
    3. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      No ass.

      Open Controls
  23. Mr Sarcastic
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    It's good that they give those cs points only after the game, don't have to see points going down!

    Open Controls
    1. Reedy
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      It is when they arrive. Still waiting for my Valdes points.

      Open Controls
  24. GunsnRoses
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Alan Dzagoev coming on ... this guy will score !

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

      duno why he doesn't start fantastic ability. Russia creative sod all with the others the play in midfield

      Open Controls
    2. Holy See
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      So promising a few years ago, wonder what happened to him.

      Open Controls
  25. Vote Joke
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Why didn't Batshuayi make the Belgium squad over the hardly ever played Origi?

    Open Controls
    1. Somalion
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I have absolutely no idea.

      Open Controls
      1. Somalion
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        I really really don't.

        Open Controls
    2. Studgie G
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      he's not a striker

      Open Controls
      1. Vote Joke
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        He so bloody is!

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

    Courtois just went all Phil Jones

    Quality gurning

    Open Controls
  27. Dynamic
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    #IfAlgeria get through we can all load up on five cheapness and save lots of budget ready for later rounds 😀

    Open Controls
    1. Dynamic
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      *cheapies

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

      #IfAlgeria

      Open Controls
    3. PGR
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Only reason I'm supporting them. (Now that the Kombarov clean sheet is gone)

      Open Controls
  28. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Mbolhi save 😎 should be on 7 points now

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

      leg.end

      Open Controls
    2. Holy See
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Gotta equal or better Cillesson's 8! Cillesson>Karneis>Mbolhi a popular move I'd wager.

      Open Controls
      1. Bøwstring The Carp
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        I've been increasing: Karnezis (1) --> Haghighi (6) ---> Mbolhi (7 so far)

        Open Controls
        1. Holy See
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Noice.

          Open Controls
  29. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    If you're Germany, who would you rather play, Algeria or Russia?

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

      Don't think they would mind should be too strong for either

      Open Controls
    2. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Russia for sure, they are steady, boring and predictable.

      Algeria are mavericks

      Open Controls
    3. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Algeria

      Open Controls
    4. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Both of them have a score to settle

      Open Controls
  30. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Best cheap midfielder in Fox for the knockouts?

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

      How many points you currently on mate? your H2H is going to the wire and is gonna be the decider

      Open Controls