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. Portsmouth Bubblejet
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Bruno Zuculini is now on his way to Manchester for a medical before signing with Manchester City.

    The £2 million fee was agreed with his club Racing in February.

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

      Aye. Moves now his contract is finished.

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

      decent young prospect

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

      decent backup for Yaya? and the Ferns

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

    Do we know yet if KDB is starting tonight gents?

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

      Not 100% sure

      i'd guess he'll start though

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

      Nope

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  3. leo_messi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Any team news for the evening games???

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

    Fatawu DAUDA already on 5 points 😮

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

    Borini anyone? 🙂

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

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

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

      Top of the page. 😎 Where it belongs.

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    3. Pap Le Cissier
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Would rather consider his Mrs

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

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

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

      Sighhhhhhhhhhhh

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

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

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

      Been no chances at all really

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    2. Camp No No
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Thus far he's done close to nothing.

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

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

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

      lol - You hanging on a bet OS

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

        If so hope you right

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

        Of course....

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

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

          Correct, have won that way before

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

            Ta...

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

              Nice

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

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

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

      ^^

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  10. Camp No No
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

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

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

    Anyone considering Borini next season?

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

      Nah

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

    Borini, Borini, Borini strikeforce next season me thinks.

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

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

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

    Forgot to switch Boateng in for a 5 pointer 🙁

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

      Switch Borini in.

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

      Suarez move?

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

    C'mon USA, take ze German clean sheet away

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  17. Essan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months 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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  18. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

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

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    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Well...he was.

      This isn't exactly a LvG signing.

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

        He must have okayed it

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        1. Wilshere Knowledge
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months 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
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Fair point

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

      Didn't he bid for him?

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

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

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

      Not a jizzworthy signing imo

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

        Maybe just a boner

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        1. Call Me Old Fashioned
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months 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
            11 years, 5 months ago

            I think Herrera is just a back up for Cleverly.

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            1. Call Me Old Fashioned
              • 14 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              not sure if serious..

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              1. Wilshere Knowledge
                • 12 Years
                11 years, 5 months ago

                😉 😆

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                1. Call Me Old Fashioned
                  • 14 Years
                  11 years, 5 months ago

                  You got me.

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  21. BeerGoggles
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

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

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  22. JT's Dog
      11 years, 5 months 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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    • SW6
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Klose on 😀

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      1. Camp No No
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

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

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

      Poldi off

      Klose on

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    • Sheep
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

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

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

      klose in for podolski

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    • Kroos Kontrol
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      De Bruyne, Bentaleb or Bougerra?

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      1. Funkyav
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        not De Bruyne

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

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

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    • LewanGOALski
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      3 Belgians in my team and none is starting 😐

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      1. Funkyav
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        same here.

        Its ok tho I have 3 algerians ready to step up!

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

      Guys, whom should I play between Slimani and Bentaleb? 😐

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      1. Funkyav
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Slimani all day long

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

        silmani, so far benty done noting for me points wise

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

        Cheers. 🙂

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