[sbu_large_image] 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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3,877 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 22 days ago

    Borini anyone? 🙂

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 22 days ago

      Dammit, top of the page now everyone will get him 😡

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    2. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 22 days ago

      Top of the page. 😎 Where it belongs.

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    3. Pap Le Cissier
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 22 days ago

      Would rather consider his Mrs

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  2. Siva Mohan
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 22 days ago

    Sergio Aguero out of World Cup, as reports in Argentina suggest striker suffered muscle tear against Nigeria.

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    1. Debauchy
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 22 days ago

      Sighhhhhhhhhhhh

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    2. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 22 days ago

      Aguero? Leg muscle injuries? That's unlike him...

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  3. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 22 days ago

    Try agin..How's Muller looking ? Got him up for the elbow to break the template.

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    1. SW6
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 22 days ago

      Been no chances at all really

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    2. Camp No No
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 22 days ago

      Thus far he's done close to nothing.

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    3. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 22 days ago

      He's certainly the most advanced but Germany haven't created much in general

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  4. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 22 days ago

    So far so good 😀

    #USA

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    1. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 22 days ago

      I've found myself wanting USA to win 😯

      Land of the free! USA USA USA! Hot dogs! Go team!

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  5. LOCO ABREU
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 22 days ago

    halftime both games. ozil keeps grabing the pts i see 😐

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  6. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 22 days ago

    I am pretty sure I am right as seen it before but if Ronaldo scores the next goal he still gets FGS as the other was a OG...

    Correct

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    1. Debauchy
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 22 days ago

      lol - You hanging on a bet OS

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      1. Debauchy
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 22 days ago

        If so hope you right

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      2. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 22 days ago

        Of course....

        This is how it works, I am sure it happened to me before...

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        1. SW6
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 22 days ago

          Correct, have won that way before

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          1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
            • 14 Years
            12 years, 22 days ago

            Ta...

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            1. Debauchy
              • 13 Years
              12 years, 22 days ago

              Nice

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  7. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 22 days ago

    Quite fancy Borini for a few goals early season now..sound good ?

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 22 days ago

      ^^

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  8. Camp No No
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 22 days ago

    Suarez being banned, has anybody thought of getting Borini in FPL next season?

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  9. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 22 days ago

    Anyone considering Borini next season?

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 22 days ago

      Nah

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  10. Danos96
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 22 days ago

    How on earth are Portugal ranked 4th..

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    1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 22 days ago

      England were 10th weren't they....

      That pretty much says it all about FIFA rankings

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    2. Shels
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 22 days ago

      how r england even ranked

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  11. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 22 days ago

    Borini, Borini, Borini strikeforce next season me thinks.

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  12. Billy Gilmore
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 22 days ago

    Borini will be the bargain of the season this year. Bookmark this.

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  13. Sif
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 22 days ago

    Forgot to switch Boateng in for a 5 pointer 🙁

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    1. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 22 days ago

      Switch Borini in.

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  14. GK
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 22 days ago

    Borini's chances of a start are surely boosted by the Suarez move? Anyone else taking a punt?

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    1. pundit of punts
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 22 days ago

      Suarez move?

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  15. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 22 days ago

    C'mon USA, take ze German clean sheet away

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  16. Essan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 22 days ago

    Not sure if this has been posted, but Neymar in trouble for wearing the wrong undies .....

    https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/the-rio-report/fifa-investigating-neymar-prohibited-underpants-062658681.html

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  17. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 22 days ago

    Oh dear moyes just said manu's new signing was on his radar

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    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 22 days ago

      Well...he was.

      This isn't exactly a LvG signing.

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      1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 22 days ago

        He must have okayed it

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        1. Wilshere Knowledge
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 22 days ago

          For sure.

          But this obviously isn't a LvG master lass, showing Moyes up, just a move from the pipeline being completed.

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          1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
            • 14 Years
            12 years, 22 days ago

            Fair point

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    2. Sheep
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 22 days ago

      Didn't he bid for him?

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  18. Fray Bentos
    • 17 Years
    12 years, 22 days ago

    So transfers open at 6am? Might be getting up early tomorrow 🙂

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  19. Open Controls
    1. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 22 days ago

      Not a jizzworthy signing imo

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      1. Bubz
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 22 days ago

        Maybe just a boner

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        1. Call Me Old Fashioned
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 22 days ago

          It means Cleverley is almost done at United. As a United fan that realisation got me close..

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          1. Wilshere Knowledge
            • 12 Years
            12 years, 22 days ago

            I think Herrera is just a back up for Cleverly.

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            1. Call Me Old Fashioned
              • 15 Years
              12 years, 22 days ago

              not sure if serious..

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              1. Wilshere Knowledge
                • 12 Years
                12 years, 22 days ago

                😉 😆

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                1. Call Me Old Fashioned
                  • 15 Years
                  12 years, 22 days ago

                  You got me.

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  20. BeerGoggles
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 22 days ago

    Ronaldo on 2pts for blocked shots in Mcd's...

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  21. A Defender's Nightmare
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 22 days ago

    Borini is essential IMO.

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    1. Darth
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 22 days ago

      Never thought I would ever hear anyone say that

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  22. JT's Dog
    12 years, 22 days ago

    Bit weird watching portugal game on red button
    With all the people over there you would think bbc could get someone to talk at half time

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  23. SW6
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 22 days ago

    Klose on 😀

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    1. Camp No No
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 22 days ago

      My draw + Klose AGS bet is one step closer to win.

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  24. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 22 days ago

    Poldi off

    Klose on

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  25. Sheep
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 22 days ago

    Will missing the first 9 games affect bucktooth's stating fpl price?

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    1. Vote Joke
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 22 days ago

      No. Doubt he'll be at LFC anyway. They will look to sell him but will not advertise the fact as that will decrease his value. I'm planning my team without Suarez.

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  26. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 22 days ago

    JANUZAJ STARTS

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 22 days ago

      Sven Claes ‏@svenclaes 1m View translation
      Belgium: Courtois; Vanden Borre, Van Buyten, Lombaerts, Vertonghen, Fellaini, Defour, Dembélé; Mertens, Mirallas, Januzaj.

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      1. SW6
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 22 days ago

        Looks like Mirallas striker

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    2. Funkyav
      • 17 Years
      12 years, 22 days ago

      whats the team?

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      1. Camp No No
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 22 days ago

        I guess by now it must be South-Korea.

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      2. Funkyav
        • 17 Years
        12 years, 22 days ago

        Oh i see

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    3. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 22 days ago

      May as well shout it then. 🙂

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  27. LOCO ABREU
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 22 days ago

    klose in for podolski

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  28. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 22 days ago

    No Hazard or KDB 😯

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    1. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 22 days ago

      Or Lukaku. Or Ogili 😯

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    2. Camp No No
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 22 days ago

      lol@KDBowners

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    3. Funkyav
      • 17 Years
      12 years, 22 days ago

      or Lukaku or Aldeweild

      Looks like I am bringing on 3 algerians for tonight then!!!!

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      1. Bubz
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 22 days ago

        Or Kompany 😯

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        1. Camp No No
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 22 days ago

          no news here, since he was reported injured already yesterday.

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          1. Bubz
            • 12 Years
            12 years, 22 days ago

            I know, bit still 😯

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    4. SW6
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 22 days ago

      We sure its legit?

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      1. Bubz
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 22 days ago

        It looks too ridiculous to be made up

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    5. LOCO ABREU
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 22 days ago

      oficial lineup?

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  29. Kroos Kontrol
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 22 days ago

    De Bruyne, Bentaleb or Bougerra?

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    1. Funkyav
      • 17 Years
      12 years, 22 days ago

      not De Bruyne

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  30. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 22 days ago

    < Removed Hazard in Mirror 😎 Removed de Bruyne in iTeam 😎 Bought Origi in both 🙁

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