World Cup 2014 – Dugout Discussion – Matchday 6, Day 1

The World Cup returns to our screens once again this evening, after Holland’s dramatic spot-kick win over Costa Rica on Saturday night brought the quarter-finals to a conclusion. This time around, hosts Brazil have it all to do against Germany – with Thiago Silva suspended at the heart of defence and Neymar sidelined due to a back injury, Big Phil Scolari doesn’t have his problems to seek:

Brazil: Cesar; Maicon, Luiz, Dante, Marcelo; Fernandinho, Gustavo; Hulk, Oscar, Bernard; Fred

Germany: Neuer; Lahm, Hummels, Boateng, Hoewedes; Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Kroos; Muller, Klose, Ozil

Scolari makes three changes from the side that narrowly beat Colombia in the quarter-finals. Bayern Munich’s Dante replaces the suspended Silva at centre-half, Luiz Gustavo returns from a one-match ban to take the place of Paulinho in the centre of the park, whilst Shakhtar Donetsk wide man Bernard gets the nod in the attacking midfield three.

The Brazil boss keeps faith with the misfiring Fred, then, despite a return of one goal from the opening five matches, whilst Oscar will be looking to improve upon his recent displays – after a goal and assist in the tournament opener against Croatian, he’s mustered just a single assist in the subsequent four fixtures. David Luiz has been subject to heavy Fantasy interest right across the games after producing two goals and an assist in his last three appearances – as we saw in the win over Jose Pekerman’s side, his set-piece duties could be key if the hosts are to prevail.

For the Germans, Joachim Low continues with the XI that started last week’s 1-0 win over France. Per Mertesacker remains on the bench, then, with Philip Lahm at right-back again and Jerome Boateng partnering Mats Hummels at centre-half, whilst Miroslav Klose is handed the lone forward role.

Top scorer Thomas Muller is looking to end a two-game drought – having scored four times in the group stages, the Bayern man has delivered back-to-back blanks against Algeria and France but will fancy his chances against a backline with one clean sheet in five matches. At the back, Mats Hummels’ second goal of the tournament got the better of the French last weekend and with three clean sheets to his name over four appearances, the Dortmund centre-half has picked up plenty of new Fantasy owners ahead of this evening’s crunch encounter.

2,832 Comments Post a Comment

@ocprodigy
9 years, 11 months ago
Would you take out Luiz (6) for Rojo/De Vrij? Dante is already leaving...
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1. Bubz
  9 years, 11 months ago
  Definitely
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  1. @ocprodigy
    9 years, 11 months ago
    Cheers. Well done btw, amazing performance in this game!
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    1. Bubz
      9 years, 11 months ago
      Cheers!
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2. tw
  9 years, 11 months ago
  yeah
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3. applebonkers
  9 years, 11 months ago
  lol at luiz getting 6 in that match. that's sergio ramos bad
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  1. Reedy
    9 years, 11 months ago
    If Luiz is Ramos then Dante's Pique.
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    1. @ocprodigy
      9 years, 11 months ago
      Tbf, Luiz did get -3 for goals conceded...Haha.
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      1. Reedy
        9 years, 11 months ago
        🙂 Was just trying to work in another movie title, didn't really work
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4. Zep
  9 years, 11 months ago
  Absolutely...
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5. @ocprodigy
  9 years, 11 months ago
  Gracias everyone, more than appreciated
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lor599
9 years, 11 months ago
Ok playing a 4-3-3

In the Midfield I got

Lahm 13 pts-----Oscar 9 pts------- Sneijder BENCH: Mascherano

Should I:

A. Replace Mascherano for Oscar

B. Replace Mascherano for Sneijder

C: Keep Sneijder and leave Mascherano out

Thanks
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Zep
9 years, 11 months ago
53 from 4 in McD's...

7 plus (c) to play 😯

Hope there are some good points to come...
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1. Reedy
  9 years, 11 months ago
  That doesn't sound too bad considering. I have 61 with 5 to play, sticking on my captain.
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  1. Zep
    9 years, 11 months ago
    Already shifted my low scorers, which might come back to haunt me, but the last time I left it late I ended up missing the deadline, so I'm not taking the chance this time...
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    1. Reedy
      9 years, 11 months ago
      Yeah I've pruned my losers too. The worst offenders, anyway.
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Jacketts Potatoes
9 years, 11 months ago
Got this wrong last page.....

Want to change to 343 not 433 lol...

Guys could do with help please....
Here's my team

Cillessen
Hummels luiz garay de-vrij (Rojo)
Lahm gustavo mascherano gago (Schneider)
Muller messi (robben)

How on earth do I take hummels out for robben and go from 442 to 343?

Maccies btw.....

I'll prob make other changes but this is one that worries me as I don't want the wrong player to disappear...
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1. Zep
  9 years, 11 months ago
  Click to remove Hummels then change formation, then bring Robben on...
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  1. Jacketts Potatoes
    9 years, 11 months ago
    Thank you
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lor599
9 years, 11 months ago
Mascherano or Sneijder tommorow
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Gnu
9 years, 11 months ago
Alright Greendreams, I take it you watched Sunshine on leith with the missus?
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1. GREENDREAMS11
  9 years, 11 months ago
  lol, spot on. ha ha. thats quite funny. Yeah. we watched it on Sunday just for the laugh
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  1. Gnu
    9 years, 11 months ago
    Good start, with 'could be tomorrow' in the back of the AVC.
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  2. Gnu
    9 years, 11 months ago
    🙂
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    1. GREENDREAMS11
      9 years, 11 months ago
      it was alright , the missus really liked it.
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      1. Gnu
        9 years, 11 months ago
        Yeah, it was ok but nostalgic, never a big fan but had the first album and still got goosebumps with 'I met you'. I know, sad.
        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpdSGbBESH4
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Portsmouth Bubblejet
9 years, 11 months ago
That was absolutely insane. Glad that I was able to watch it without the distraction of Fantasy football.

I'm trying to persuade one of the German journalists at the post-match press conference (which is on at the moment) to ask Löw what on earth the German defence were doing for Brazil's goal and whether there'll be consequences. I'm not convinced that the question will get asked.
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1. Zep
  9 years, 11 months ago
  PB, are you German or do you just live there?
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  1. Portsmouth Bubblejet
    9 years, 11 months ago
    Not German, work is connected to German-speaking countries.
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    1. Zep
      9 years, 11 months ago
      Ok
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2. GREENDREAMS11
  9 years, 11 months ago
  :). Im surprised Alan Hansen didn't rip them to bits about it, Great performance though. I had said to my mate that I thought Germany were holding back and would step up their game
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mranonymous
9 years, 11 months ago
Who is the SAFEST captain choice between Garay, Mascherano, De Vrij, Cil?
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1. Aaron Ramessi - Straya
  9 years, 11 months ago
  Mascherano
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  1. mranonymous
    9 years, 11 months ago
    Safer than Garay who has more total points?
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    1. Epic Fail
      9 years, 11 months ago
      When he said Mascherano, he meant Garay.
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  2. Reedy
    9 years, 11 months ago
    Agree.
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2. mranonymous
  9 years, 11 months ago
  Tough one. Garay v Masch for captain?
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Heydudes13
9 years, 11 months ago
Update my score you flids.
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1. Bubz
  9 years, 11 months ago
  Doesn't bode well for my rank if a load of people haven't had their scores updated yet
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  1. bunnyrampage
    9 years, 11 months ago
    My score is updated, but not rank. I have 711 pts, but rank shows up as 3513... Really strange.
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    1. VougieDipond
      9 years, 11 months ago
      weird I am on 662 points and keep moving back up now 694 OR
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      1. gart888
        9 years, 11 months ago
        i'm on 663. sucker!
        
        shows my rank as 20162 though haha.
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Jacketts Potatoes
9 years, 11 months ago
Would you make either or both of these changes? (Or neither I guess)

Maccies game

1.) Luiz(6 points) to Rojo
2.) gustavo(7 points) to Schneider

Thanks
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1. Reedy
  9 years, 11 months ago
  Definitely the first and probably the second too.
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applebonkers
9 years, 11 months ago
90 mins in the front 3 of a 7-1 win and ozil get just an assist. absolutely tamping
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1. Epic Fail
  9 years, 11 months ago
  Should have scored or at least got a second assist.
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  1. Smarty Pants
    9 years, 11 months ago
    *Could
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2. Heydudes13
  9 years, 11 months ago
  Why do you have such a piss poor player in your side? Jesus.
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Red-United
9 years, 11 months ago
So what's the crack with Depay?

Decent player? Starter against Argentina?

He has somehow ended up in my team due to funds...hoping he can get something against Argentina.
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1. Red-United
  9 years, 11 months ago
  anyone?...
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smash
9 years, 11 months ago
Sorry if already been asked? ...are Brazil expected to make changes for the play off game?
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1. Epic Fail
  9 years, 11 months ago
  Probably. Wouldn't you?
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  1. smash
    9 years, 11 months ago
    Yeah I would, but say they're up against Argentina? - losing to them on home soil!
    my rival bought Fred in, hopeful he'll not play (sun game, no subs)
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Bubz
9 years, 11 months ago
Is there a player score spreadsheet knocking about yet?
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1. bunnyrampage
  9 years, 11 months ago
  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tqzeL7nk53CIwVSrcGlu46QrTMqbE38mMOeXLVJqwqc/edit#gid=0
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  1. Bubz
    9 years, 11 months ago
    Nice one
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Zep
9 years, 11 months ago
Wish they would hurry up and add the BPs on Fox, wanna see what my new rank is before I get on with my day...
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Lucas Leiva
9 years, 11 months ago
BBC2 at 12:20am, fortunately comical TV scheduling doesn't get better than this...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BsDrnEVCMAADJzX.jpg

'Seven Wonders of Brazil'' 😆
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1. VougieDipond
  9 years, 11 months ago
  tonight we had the 11 blunders from Brazil
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Demí
9 years, 11 months ago
Argentina press conference now

Sabella suggests Aguero could come in if needed. "He's a bit better. Let's see how the circumstances of the game, if we need him."

Confirms Rojo will be back in for Basanta and Enzo Perez is likely to replace Di Maria on the left
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1. Demí
  9 years, 11 months ago
  Expected XI;
  
  Romero; Zabaleta, Demichelis, Garay, Rojo; Pérez, Biglia, Mascherano, Lavezzi; Messi, Higuaín.
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VougieDipond
9 years, 11 months ago
Anyone think Messi will score a big haul against the Dutch?
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1. Epic Fail
  9 years, 11 months ago
  I've been expecting a haul for a while now.
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2. Red-United
  9 years, 11 months ago
  Hopefully...but I can see him getting just the 1.
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  1. Red-United
    9 years, 11 months ago
    My rival has Higuain...hopefully Messi outscores him at least!
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3. VougieDipond
  9 years, 11 months ago
  I'm defending a now 45 point ML lead. Will probably just go for Monster Masch and hope for 10 points
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  1. I.A.P
    9 years, 11 months ago
    Ditto fella
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4. BantamPhil
  9 years, 11 months ago
  5 goals
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Bigo1
9 years, 11 months ago
Login to Fantasy Premier League is temporarily unavailable while we perform essential maintenance.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your patience. Please try again later.
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1. BantamPhil
  9 years, 11 months ago
  Must be launching imminently 😯
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2. Bubz
  9 years, 11 months ago
  Opens at 4am tonight
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  1. Gnu
    9 years, 11 months ago
    Do the first 10 to log on still get a prize?
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    1. Reedy
      9 years, 11 months ago
      Infinite transfers
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    2. Van Klinkert Delarosa
      9 years, 11 months ago
      The prize still the same, 3 wildcard like before?
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    3. VougieDipond
      9 years, 11 months ago
      Allowed to buy 3 9m+ players for 1m each aswell
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3. Epic Fail
  9 years, 11 months ago
  Opens in just over 3 hours.
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  1. Obi Wan Elokobi
    9 years, 11 months ago
    Is this confirmed, if so how do you know?
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4. Obi Wan Elokobi
  9 years, 11 months ago
  Posted that the other day will be a few more days till it opens probably sometime next week.
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Portsmouth Bubblejet
9 years, 11 months ago
Mats Hummels has just said that he substituted himself out of the match due to "an irritation in the hollow of the knee" which he had had "for a while".

It's obviously unclear for the moment whether this was purely precautionary given the half-time score.
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1. Bøwstring The Carp
  9 years, 11 months ago
  Would be a huge loss for the finals no doubt 😯
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  1. Portsmouth Bubblejet
    9 years, 11 months ago
    We'll have to wait and see, obviously. It's a tendon in the hollow of the knee that had become sore during the week.
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sre10
9 years, 11 months ago
No assist for Lahm or Muller (Kroos goal)? Hahahahah stupid McD
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1. Keno
  9 years, 11 months ago
  Give now, sometimes it takes a few hours
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GOONER
9 years, 11 months ago
Gustavo 7 to Wijnaldum? or not?
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1. BantamPhil
  9 years, 11 months ago
  Would wait till line ups, Wijnaldum not 100% nailed on
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2. Reedy
  9 years, 11 months ago
  Not
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3. Obi Wan Elokobi
  9 years, 11 months ago
  Wouldn't do it even if he played seriously can't see him doing much.
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lor599
9 years, 11 months ago
The least likely to score a lot of points in these 4 players.....

Garay, Rojo, Federico Fernandez or De Vrij?
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1. Demí
  9 years, 11 months ago
  3rd one. He won't start, rest will
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  1. lor599
    9 years, 11 months ago
    Then how about Garay vs Rojo vs De Vrij
    
    Least likely to score the most points?
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2. Obi Wan Elokobi
  9 years, 11 months ago
  Fernandez
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3. VougieDipond
  9 years, 11 months ago
  Fernandez won't score many with his horrid FIFA bib on sitting on the bench
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4. BantamPhil
  9 years, 11 months ago
  Fernandez: zero points
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Somalion
9 years, 11 months ago
Well that was a tight match...
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1. Obi Wan Elokobi
  9 years, 11 months ago
  For the first 5 minutes.
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  1. Somalion
    9 years, 11 months ago
    Highly highly coveted for those 5.
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2. Reedy
  9 years, 11 months ago
  Shame there had to be a loser really
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  1. Somalion
    9 years, 11 months ago
    Aye, both deserving of that highly contested spot in the final.
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3. Aaron Ramessi - Straya
  9 years, 11 months ago
  yeah Germany were lucky to get away with that one
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  1. Somalion
    9 years, 11 months ago
    Very close shave, Hummels the difference.
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4. VougieDipond
  9 years, 11 months ago
  Wonder if the Brazillian commentator went GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL! for half an hour when Oscar scored
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  1. Reedy
    9 years, 11 months ago
    🙂
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  2. Somalion
    9 years, 11 months ago
    As if he hadn't already taken his cyanide...
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Reedy
9 years, 11 months ago
Lahm has his 2nd assist now (McD)
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lor599
9 years, 11 months ago
Which of these least likely to get the least points?

Rojo, Garay, De Vrij?
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1. Gnu
  9 years, 11 months ago
  Don't do double negatives, too confusing!
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Heydudes13
9 years, 11 months ago
Lahm assist awarded.
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1. VougieDipond
  9 years, 11 months ago
  thought you were trolling 😉 happy days
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2. kim don juan
  9 years, 11 months ago
  I knew my bitching would pay off.
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lor599
9 years, 11 months ago
Wesley Sneijder

or

Javier Mascherano in McD
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Red-United
9 years, 11 months ago
Messi vs Higuain...predict who will score and assist more and by how much.
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1. Epic Fail
  9 years, 11 months ago
  Messi, by lots.
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2. Aaron Ramessi - Straya
  9 years, 11 months ago
  Messi will get 2 goals and Higuain will get nothing
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3. VougieDipond
  9 years, 11 months ago
  Higuain=Fred
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  1. Aaron Ramessi - Straya
    9 years, 11 months ago
    oh come on, he's a wee bit better 😉
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Aaron Ramessi - Straya
9 years, 11 months ago
wonder if Fred will ever be able to show his face in public again...
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1. Reedy
  9 years, 11 months ago
  He's running out of disguises too. Full beard for the next game?
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2. BantamPhil
  9 years, 11 months ago
  He will have to seek asylum, only option
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3. Somalion
  9 years, 11 months ago
  I know he gets a lot of shit, I'm not saying he's remotely good enough and certainly shouldn't have been playing but the media are acting like he selected himself to start, or even selected himself to be in the squad.
  
  A lot of this falls to Scolari.
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  1. Aaron Ramessi - Straya
    9 years, 11 months ago
    I know but fred is public enemy no.1
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    1. Somalion
      9 years, 11 months ago
      Aye and in some senses I feel sorry for him for that despite him being entirely useless.
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