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

    Could soon be squeaky bum time for some of the Men's USA Soccer Team.

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

      It's already squeaky bum time for me

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

        😛

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

      They have been sweating on that bench for a while now

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

    Starting 11 for Algeria out yet?

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  3. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    any team news for belgium yet?

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

      There is still nobody famous ... 😉

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

        Tintin!!!

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

      Yep. No hazard, no KDB, no Kompany, no Lukaku, no Toby.

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      1. Bubz
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months 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. Colonel Shoe 肝池
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          no KDB 🙁

          subs?

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

            Everyone who isn't playing is a sub. There is no 'bench' system at the world cup

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

              cheers bubz

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

          Mirallas and Mertens AGS looks good here then

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

    I didnt know Germany had signed Frank Lampard 😯

    Seems like they are playing him upfront too.

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

    Need 1 more goal to win a bet in Portugal vs Ghana match and would win one more bet if Portugal scores!

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

    fs ghana gona score, cmon usa score too

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  7. LewanGOALski
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    3, 4 and 5 are my lowest scores.

    Who should I bring in for them out of:

    Mesbah, KDB, Bentaleb, Lukaku

    or just 2 and leave 5 pts on the pitch ?

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

      lukaku kdb not starting

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

      Lukaku and KDB not starting...

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

    So many of my players rested, fielding a 9man team this round, terribly frustrating. Anyone else?

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

      Me.

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  9. letsgoboys
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    What happens if USA and Ghana end up on same points and gd?

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

      Both teams go through and their next opponents have to play all 22 players at the same time.

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

        Imagine if they were playing Suarez - so much food for him!

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

        😀

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

      goes to goals scored which favours Ghana

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

      Goals scored.

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

    How many minutes did Slimani play in last game?

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

      Lots.

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

      I think ~60

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  11. MJ6987
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Hazard to do a JRod?

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

      *lukaku

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

    I am not even thinking about touching my team until I see the official line ups at 8:15pm.

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

      You're too smart for most of us round here Ron.

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

        +1

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

      Tx. Great advice

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  13. The Missing Link
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    7/2 on a ghana win live. Taking some of that!

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

      ...if you win.

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

        Big If but thats betting for you 😀

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

    Guys, Bring on Bentaleb or Bougerra?? #McD

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  15. Sir_Dunc
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Mirallas must be in with a shout to play in the last 16 if he does well

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

      I'd think Lukaku would want to go for the golden boot though.

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  16. fc.cubilas
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Stick to Montazeri's 6 or switch to Bentaleb?

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  17. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    KDB more likely to come on than lukaku

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

      I think Wilmots will try Lukaku as a super-sub today. And I have a feeling he'll come good at it

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    2. The Missing Link
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Reckon lukaku for confidence

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

      I think the opposite.

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

    repost 🙁

    Medjani Bentelab Kombarov to choose from

    6,6,7 points to take out (maybe ozil)

    what do yas think, about medjani.. i think i will swap one of them 6's for komby anyway..

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  19. bunnyrampage
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Worth risking Benz' 4 pts for a potential kdb/lukaku sub?

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

      I am risking 5 for Lukaku

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    2. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      yeh may as well, may only lose a couple o points if it fails

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  20. LewanGOALski
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    If both starting - Mesbah or Bentaleb ?

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

      same problem. Bentaleb i think

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

    BEntaleb or Bougerra? 😐

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

      Madjid.

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

    Ronaldo goal. Terrible goalkeeping.

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

    goal ronaldo

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

    RONALDOOOOOO

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  25. The Missing Link
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Noooooooooo

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

    RONALDO I FECKING LOVE YOU

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

      Mmmmmmm wdnt go that far

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

    😎

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  28. MJ6987
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Ronny!

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

      Only need another 3

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

    RONALDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! 😀 😀

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  30. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    hmmm if bentaleb starts i may as well play him over kdb and switch to 433 so i can play kombarov over kdb too................??

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