[sbu_large_image] World Cup 2014
8 July 2014 1216 comments
Paul Paul
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After a couple of days’ break, the World Cup action returns with a bang this evening. Brazil take on Germany in the first semi-final at 9pm before Argentina and Holland go head-to-head tomorrow night and, as Fantasy managers fine-tune their teams, we cast an eye over PlayON’s World Cup Game, with the hours ticking down until this evening’s 7pm deadline:

There’s a BIG £1,000 GUARANTEED POT on offer today just for the Semi-Finals Gameweek. You can enter up to three different teams into the game, with the deadline for entries closing at 19.00 this evening. Enter the £1,000 GUARANTEED GAME here.

Goalkeeper – Manuel Neuer
Having served up three clean sheets in their first five fixtures, Germany square up to Brazil this evening in fine defensive form. With the hosts’ star man Neymar ruled out for the remainder of the tournament due to a back problem and the likes of lone striker Fred struggling for form, the £8.8m-priced Neuer’s chances of another shut-out certainly look promising. In Wednesday’s semi-final, Holland’s Jasper Cillessen comes in at just £8.4m – he’s conceded once in the last three and is up against an Argentina side that have scored a single goal in all but one of their previous four World Cup matches.

Defender – Marcos Rojo
Suspended for the quarter-finals win over Belgium, the left-back offers Fantasy managers the cheapest route into Argentina’s backline. Setting you back just £8.5m in the PlayON Player Price List, Rojo has already found the net against Nigeria and with Alejandro Sabella’s side keeping out their opponents in three of the last four, offers a strong chance of points at both ends of the pitch against Holland. If you’ve cash to splash, though, it’s difficult to look beyond David Luiz or Mats Hummels, at £9.5m and £9.4m respectively. Luiz has now scored or assisted in each of his last three and, as we saw against Colombia in the previous match, his set-piece duties could prove instrumental as the hosts attempt to overcome Neymar’s absence. Hummels’ winner against France in the quarter-finals took his tally to two goals and three clean sheets in four appearances, underlining his importance in both boxes for Joachim Low’s men.

Midfielder – Arjen Robben
One of the few form midfielders remaining in the tournament, it’s perhaps no surprise that, at £9.5m, the Dutchman is costlier than any other option in the middle of the park. Robben’s blank against Costa Rica last weekend was the first time he’s failed to deliver attacking returns so far – with his role up front set to continue, though, he’ll be hoping to maintain the form that has produced three goals and a pair of assists so far. With Neymar ruled out, the responsibility on Oscar to produce the goods for the hosts against Germany is magnified. His goal and assist contribution against Croatia in the opener seems a long time ago now but if Phil Scolari’s team are to prevail, the Chelsea man, at £9.2m, looks pivotal to their hopes. Coming in at £9.0m, Toni Kroos is the only midfielder to have played a part in more than one of Germany’s goals – he’s delivered a pair of assists so far and his set-piece duties were pivotal in seeing off France, after Hummels headed home his free-kick to seal a 1-0 win.

Forward – Thomas Muller
The Germany frontman will fancy his chances of getting amongst the goals in this evening’s encounter with Brazil. Phil Scolari’s team have managed just a single clean sheet so far and are devoid of the suspended Thiago Silva at centre-half – with four strikes and two assists also to his name, the £10.8m-priced Muller has played a part in six of his side’s 10 goals and looks the man most likely to end the home team’s hopes of raising the trophy. Back in contention after missing the last two matches through injury, Sergio Aguero is available for a mere £9.5m ahead of Argentina’s clash with Holland. Granted, the Man City striker failed to produce in the group stages but, as Gonzalo Higuain showed against Belgium, Alejandro Sabella’s side have options other than Lionel Messi to fall back on when the going gets tough. Robin Van Persie served up his worst display of the tournament Costa Rica last time around but on any other day, the Dutchman could have had a brace to add to his three goals so far. At £10.2m, he’ll still earn plenty of investors for Holland’s clash with Argentina – Van Gaal’s side will be buoyed by the fact that Nigeria notched twice against the South Americans during the group stages.

The semi-finals deadline arrives at 19.00 today, so get picking for the £1,000 game at www.playon.co

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1,216 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Demí
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 12 days ago

    https://twitter.com/cfbayern/status/486569330659033089

    Klose on the bench. Schweini and Khedira start

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    1. Saniul
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 12 days ago

      So, Schurrle is the replacement?

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      1. emperikal
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 12 days ago

        Gotze or Schurrle. Hopefully the latter!

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        1. Saniul
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 12 days ago

          Yeah, has been the markedly better player.

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    2. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 12 days ago

      So Muller as false 9?

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  2. Nr.10
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 12 days ago

    best differentials around ??

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    1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 12 days ago

      Joe hart

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    2. DHWizzo
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 12 days ago

      Kuyt!

      Tipped to play goal and make a bucket load of saves.

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  3. Saniul
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 12 days ago

    If my other three defenders (on Fox) are Lahm, Hummels and de Vrij, would you go for:

    A. Blind
    B. Garay
    C. Hoewedes

    as my 4th defender?

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    1. emperikal
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 12 days ago

      Garay to spread the risk and a goal threat

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

    New post
    http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2014/07/08/paddy-power-special-41-for-brazil-to-win-41-for-germany-to-win/

    This was brought to you by a dog with one quiz point

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  5. sre10
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 12 days ago

    I think this will be my worst round so far 😀

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  6. bunnyrampage
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 12 days ago

    Neuer
    Luiz, Dante, Hummels, Boateng, Rojo, de Vrij
    Oscar, Luiz Gustavo, Lahm, Mascherano
    Muller, Robben, Depay.

    Thoughts on this team? Should I keep Depay or try to add another $4m defender like Blind.

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    1. Captain Shirokov
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 12 days ago

      Get Blind

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  7. Saniul
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 12 days ago

    Exclusive: Miroslav Klose on the bench. Schweinsteiger and Khedira start against Brazil, Kramer remains a reservist. DC on Sportbild.de.

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    1. DHWizzo
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 12 days ago

      Ooooh, the crucial role of reservist.

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    2. Conrad.
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 12 days ago

      but who's in place of Klose?!

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

        I'd guess Ozil - Muller - Gotze front three.

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  8. sinik
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 12 days ago

    currently looking at

    Cillessen
    Hummels, Boateng, Dante, De Vrij, Rojo, Blind
    Lahm, Masch, Kroos, Gustavo, Wijnaldum
    Messi, Robben, Mueller

    and will potentially retool depending on lineups..HEAVILY considering dropping one of the three strikers and adding someone in mid since I don't think there will be a ton of goals in these two matches..thoughts? cheers

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    1. DHWizzo
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 12 days ago

      I think these games will buck the trend and we will finally see some proper football.

      Goals, goals, red cards, goals.

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  9. Captain Shirokov
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 12 days ago

    Pick three from:

    Lahm, Kroos, Fernandinho and Luis Gustavo

    (McD's)

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    1. MinuteFong
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 12 days ago

      Lahm, Kroos, Gustavo. Fernandinho too foul happy.

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    2. emperikal
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 12 days ago

      L + F + L

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    3. Beautiful Game
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 12 days ago

      not F

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    4. shazzaaam
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 12 days ago

      Lahm and any 2

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  10. shazzaaam
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 12 days ago

    who are the CDMs in brazil vs germany?

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  11. hales
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 12 days ago

    Captaining Hummels for today seems a good idea, yeah?

    Also have Muller.

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

    A. Neuer+De Vrij+Demichellis+Wijnaldum
    B. Cillessen+Rojo+Howedes+Gustavo

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    1. tw
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 12 days ago

      B

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  13. Dick Law
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 12 days ago

    Luiz or Hummels whom to captain??

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    1. DHWizzo
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 12 days ago

      Marcelo 😀

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  14. ebow14
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 12 days ago

    Best differential this round out of Fred, Hulk, Higuain, Huntelaar and Aguero?

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    1. Captain Shirokov
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 12 days ago

      Aguero or Higuain.

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      1. ebow14
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 12 days ago

        Will Aguero start?

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        1. Captain Shirokov
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 12 days ago

          Not too sure tbh mate. Go with Aguero if you want a punt, pick Higuain if you want to play it safe

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          1. ebow14
            • 12 Years
            12 years, 12 days ago

            Ok cheers mate, will probs go with aguero cos I'm 30th in the sun game and need a differential option to climb up

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          2. ebow14
            • 12 Years
            12 years, 12 days ago

            Would rather get a brazil or german player tbh mate cos I only have Howedes and Muller playing today whereas I have romero, blind, de vrij, robben, van persie and messi playing tomorrow. Any suggestions?

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  15. Captain Shirokov
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 12 days ago

    Have 6 CB's and 4 CDM's in my squad right now.

    Sums up McDonald's.

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    1. DHWizzo
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 12 days ago

      And the inevitable moment during the game when your player blocks a shot and you jump up shouting 'Yes!'

      Then of course the on-going 'Was the an recovered ball? I think it was!'

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      1. Captain Shirokov
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 12 days ago

        I still don't really know what a recovered ball is tbh.

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        1. DHWizzo
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 12 days ago

          It's like the magic bonus points council from a couple years back.

          I miss those guys.

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          1. shazzaaam
            • 12 Years
            12 years, 12 days ago

            😆

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    2. Captain Berbarossa - arrrrr…
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 12 days ago

      RBs and blocks are money in the bank 😀

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      1. DHWizzo
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 12 days ago

        ...and Dull with a capital D.

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  16. crystalpalaceRus
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 12 days ago

    Anyone going for Schweinsteiger

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    1. LSONG
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 12 days ago

      Can't decide about him compared to Kroos, Lahm and Ozil...

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  17. shazzaaam
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 12 days ago

    Garay or Dante?

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    1. Captain Berbarossa - arrrrr…
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 12 days ago

      Garay

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  18. DHWizzo
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 12 days ago

    Goetze about to be a differential?

    No one has him...

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  19. Jebiga
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 12 days ago

    neuer
    boateng, humels(c), luiz, garay, de vrij
    gustavo, lahm, mascerano
    messi, roben, muller

    good to go on mcd's ?

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    1. Jebiga
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 12 days ago

      and rojo

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    2. tw
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 12 days ago

      needs another mid

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  20. shazzaaam
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 12 days ago

    who is the CDM for netherlands?

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  21. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 12 days ago

    When are we expecting line ups?

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  22. Ten Season Wonder
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 12 days ago

    if money was no object, what midfield 4 would you guys pick for McD..??

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    1. sre10
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 12 days ago

      Gustavo,Lahm,Mascherano (and Fernandinho,Schweinsteiger,Kroos)

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  23. Ikey Warrior
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 12 days ago

    XXXXXX
    Boateng XXXXXX Dante Rojo De Vrij
    Schweinsteiger Lahm Gustavo Mascherano XXXXXX
    Muller Messi Robben

    A) Oscar, Garay and Cillessen
    B) Wijnaldum, Howedes, Neuer
    C) Wijnaldum, Hummels, Romero

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    1. Hurricane
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 12 days ago

      a

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  24. bigdon
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 12 days ago

    how many points did lahm get last round playing right back?

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    1. CunkOnFPL
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 12 days ago

      9

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  25. CunkOnFPL
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 12 days ago

    Maicon or Boateng?

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    1. stefaninoi
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 12 days ago

      Boateng. more solid defense and RBs

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  26. stefaninoi
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 12 days ago

    Lahm or Schweinsteiger?

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    1. Hurricane
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 12 days ago

      lahm

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