350
Dugout Discussion June 18

Sweden v South Korea: Budget punts and bench fodder

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After the rip-roaring spectacle of Germany v Mexico yesterday afternoon, Group E’s other two teams – Sweden and South Korea – get their World Cup campaigns underway at 1pm in Nizhny Novgorod.

The match is likely to be of minimal interest to Fantasy managers, with no player on show owned by more than 3% of McDonald’s FIFA managers.

The omens aren’t particularly strong for a free-flowing exhibition of football or indeed a Fantasy points bonanza, though the fixture is surely now a must-win for both sides given Mexico’s shock victory yesterday.

Sweden haven’t won a FIFA-sanctioned match since their play-off first-leg victory over Italy last November and have scored on only two occasions in their subsequent seven fixtures.

South Korea have won only one of their last six friendly internationals, losing all three of their most recent meetings with European opposition. No Korean player scored on more than two occasions or registered over two assists in their ten AFC third round World Cup qualifying fixtures.

Despite us previously championing the causes of penalty-taking centre-back Andreas Granqvist (£5.0m) and creative full-backs Mikael Lustig (£5.5m) and Ludwig Augustinsson (£5.0m), it was Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof (£5.0m) who Fantasy managers gambled on: the Swedish centre-half is owned by 3% of those playing McDonald’s FIFA but is only among the substitutes this afternoon.

The Swedes kept clean sheets in both of their June friendlies.

Midfielder Emil Forsberg (£7.5m), who scored on four occasions, supplied three assists and had more shots on goal than any other Swedish player in qualification, is the only other main Fantasy draw in Janne Andersson’s side. Marcus Berg (£8.0m), the scorer of eight goals in World Cup qualifying, has been largely overlooked by Fantasy managers.

All Korean players owned by 1% or more of McDonald’s FIFA managers are £4.0m-rated goalkeeper and defenders: only one of them – Park Joo-ho – starts today in Russia.

350 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Hamstergod
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    I guess after seeing this, we still expect Germany and Mexico to make it out of this group?

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    1. SW6
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Sweden just need to hold Germany to a draw and that's not unimaginable

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      1. Hamstergod
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        They conceded quite a lot of corners to the Koreans, and I think Germans are better are converting that kind of chance

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    2. ★Kuntheman★
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Sweden is the only threat to Germany not making it out. I think Mexico has virtually guaranteed they're getting out, they just have to make sure its 1st spot.

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      1. Hamstergod
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        I guess you're right, although I feel Korea could be a threat to Mexico with their speed, although their end product seems lacking.

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    3. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Mexico, Germany and Sweden could all end up on 6 points easily

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      1. Hamstergod
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Agreed, it's a much closer group than expected

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  2. GoonerByron
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Hmm.. Now to keep Granqvist or not on wildcard..

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    1. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      No for me
      Nacho is the correct answer

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  3. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Free transfer lads.....

    A. Pavard > another 4.5m defender(own Varela and Akanji)

    B. Jesus > Costa (own Coutinho)

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    1. Better off with a pin and a…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      I'm thinking Jesus>Costa and just let Pavard sit on the bench if he doesn't play. Not ideal, but that feels like higher upside.

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      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        My exact thinking

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  4. AYEW KI-EDEN MEE
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Not sure if Sweden or Burnley..

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    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Imagine if Ben Mee was on pens 😮

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      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Never forget Graham Alexander

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      2. Eden Wizard
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Pen Bee

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  5. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Granqvist 🙂

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  6. cthaeh
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Lukaku is now my last chance to stay in the game..

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  7. Azathoth
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    3 Danes and 1 Swede gave me 32 pts.Long Live Scandinavia!!!!!

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    1. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      They do

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  8. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Yes, I also have Granvquist. Team Serbia are DOMINATING

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    1. SW6
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Peaking too soon 😉

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      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Maybe. Thats why we are shouting about it. Got to make the most of this 10 minutes of fame.

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  9. I Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Muslera, Uzoho
    Kimmick, Meunier, Danilo, Trippier, Pavard
    Rodriguez, Ziyech, Ljajic, Carrasco, Al Dawsari
    Lukaku, Cavani, Mbappe

    A) Wildcard
    B) Rodriguez -> Isco
    C) Mbappe -> Costa
    D) Rodriguez + Al Dawsari -> Isco + Layun (-4)

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  10. ★Kuntheman★
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    So I've been seeing a lot of holding off on WCing on FFS. The way I see it, this is a prime time to WC if you don't have top Spanish and Portuguese assets. They are about to go on a goal difference rush for first place. Furthermore, the likes of Brazil, Argentina, and Germany have to do it all in their next two games, making star player rotation unlikely.

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    1. Pierce34
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      I'm thinking about it. It's such a short tournament it would be silly to miss out on prime targets right now - the only thing holding me back is this feeling that I would be knee-jerking when so many of my current players have good round 2 fixtures.

      (also I may end up with hits in the QFs if results don't go my team's way)

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    2. 420king
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      I'm holding off because I build my team for two rounds, most of them have a better fixture in R2 than they did now.
      Also went without players like Granqvist for the same reason so it would make me feel extra foolish.

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    3. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Built my team for it, I now have the likes of Cavani vs the KSA and Mane vs JPN. If I change now with all that planning it feels a bit silly

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  11. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Are referees now happy to just to let VAR call for the pen instead of just blowing the whistle at the time just in case?

    I thought that the ref may have done this for the foul on Claesson that lead to the pen.

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    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Seems that way, but they should really be calling it as they see it. Offsides are different - the lino should definitely let it go unless they are 100% sure it is offside.

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    2. I Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Don't think so. The ref waved away the appeals. He didn't think it was a pen.

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      1. Ógie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Maybe so but the VAR get out of jail free card makes it easy for the ref to take this stance initially.

        His linesman should have spotted the foul and helped him out regardless.

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        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          I assume when they are assessing referees, they are getting "black marks" against them when they get an initial decision wrong, even if VAR corrects it?

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          1. Ógie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            I do not really know but i assume you are right.

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    3. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      VAR doesn't review simple fouls like that, though?

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  12. Pierce34
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    How many players altogether in the McD game? I want to find out just how badly I'm doing 😀

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    1. Norman Conquest
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      well at least 325 k thats where i am

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    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      325,001

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    3. Norman Conquest
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      my mate is at 1.2 mill makes me feel a little better

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    4. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      1m+ it says on the site.

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    5. Pierce34
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Thanks all.

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  13. Eden Wizard
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Meunier (C) save the week!

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  14. Where dahoud at
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Bar ronaldo, any other palyers on peoples radars for transfers???

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    1. Norman Conquest
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      costa and layun

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  15. Chandler Bing
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Panama have benched Gabriel Torres (their best player imo) and playing a 38 year old upfront.

    This could get ugly..

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  16. DJDave1979
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Bloody hell, that's another punt that paid off. 61 points with 5 to play.

    Good contribution to the last minute team Iran!

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  17. Stevie B
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Hopefully Sweden will beat the fu*king. Krauts on Saturday. This is my biggest wish.

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    1. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Couldn't agree with something more.

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    2. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      As an Italian, I'm not sure which I want to qualify the least

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      1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Germany for me. Just want Sweden gone

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        1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Actually, I want Germany to make it through to the RO16 and get humiliates by Brazil. Sweden out ASAP, I agree now

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          1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            I'm lost in this world cup . My feelings are dead, and it's all because of Sweden 🙁

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    3. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Nah. Come on Germany! Sweden a functional team - don't like them.

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    4. Stevie B
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Unfortunately I am German and Germans are really stupid. Therefore I hope that Sweden will win or will make at least a draw.

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      1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Would you prefer for them to get humiliated by Brazil in RO16 or out straight away?

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        1. Stevie B
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Thank you for writing! Probably it would be better if Germany would retire already in the preliminary round (Sweden-Germany 2:0, South Korea - Germany: 2:1). So many Germans are very arrongant and think that Germany is by far the best country in the world. Therefore it would be good if they retire in the preliminary round.

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          1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            Fair. If Löw doesn't get off his ass that could well happen. I guess we'll have to wait and see 😛

            I will support any team that comes against them except Sweden. Both are sides that I have a bone to pick with.

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  18. ★Kuntheman★
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    My team is just littered with 2 pts everywhere apart from my Argentine and Uruguayan duos of Aguero+Meza and Varela+Muslera.

    Cmon Lukaku(c)+Meunier!

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    1. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      South America rules the game

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  19. Where dahoud at
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    So what people thank off these transfers???

    Messi > ronaldo
    Mbappe > costa

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    1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Solid, as long as you're aware that they could backfire horribly

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      1. Where dahoud at
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        I know lol

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    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Mbappe > Costa is great.

      The first I wouldn't do. Messi is too good to blank twice and Ronaldo/Portugal will play quite a bit different against Morocco. Morocco also defended pretty well in the first game undone by a really stupid own goal.

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    3. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Thing is Messi has to do setup work
      CR7 has 9 players trying to set him up

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  20. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Son might have to do his compulsory military service and may not be available for fpl at this rate.

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    1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Hoping somebody else bites in case you're trolling 😮

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  21. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    @Kun
    this Pavon lad, will he replace Meza?

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    1. ★Kuntheman★
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Early indication is that the lineup for the Croatia game will be:

      Caballero
      Mercado Otamendi Rojo Tagliafico
      Mascherano Lo Celso
      Meza Messi Pavon
      Aguero

      So, no. But we'll get more information in the next few days.

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      1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        You happy with Salvio gone?

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        1. ★Kuntheman★
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Absolutely stoked about that. He's a winger. Dude looked confused as heck against Iceland. Croatia (Perisic) would've torn him apart. Mercado is a good defender and has a decent eye for goal. I'd be pretty content with this lineup, personally would prefer Mascherano>Banega and Meza>Dybala, but I think that's heavily unlikely. I'm glad Sampaoli looks to be making the changes on the players he's not biased about.

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          1. Debauchy
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            Happy as a Meza owner but they really need to utilise Kun better. Hardly received a pass after the goal.

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          2. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            Nice. Really hope Dybala gets a chance to show what he's made of

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            1. ★Kuntheman★
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 10 months ago

              Unlikely, but once again, we can hope.

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              1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 10 months ago

                Good luck. Now you aren't playing against my favourite underdogs anymore, I can root for you 🙂

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                1. ★Kuntheman★
                  • 8 Years
                  5 years, 10 months ago

                  I can start rooting for them too. Big fan of theirs but they pissed me off beyond belief with their defensive setup. I guess it's amusing to the neutral but for the opposition it is infuriating 😆

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                  1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
                    • 7 Years
                    5 years, 10 months ago

                    I can imagine. I tried to think about how I would feel if it was Italy pressing them but realised it would probably be the other way around 🙁

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      2. Meinhoff
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        That is pretty bad. Croatia looks better on paper

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        1. Debauchy
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Messi needs to feed Kun more and it's no race

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          1. ★Kuntheman★
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            He was uncharacteristically selfish in the Iceland game. All the Argentines were playing it to him too, even though he was swarmed by three Iceland players every time. Aguero barely touched the ball and finished it the one time he did. They need to feed Aguero.

            Part of the reason I want Dybala on is because he is similar to Messi, making it hard for teams to just swarm Messi. Di Maria and Meza don't offer anything other than just racing down the wing and crossing it. Dybala and Pavon have more tricks up their sleeves.

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            1. Debauchy
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 10 months ago

              This, in one particular instance Kun was free to tap it in and Messi preferred trying to take on 3 defenders to get to goal . Love Messi but was fuming 🙂

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              1. ★Kuntheman★
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 10 months ago

                It got even worse after he missed the penalty 😆 he started going tryhard to compensate for the miss and just selfishly ran into defender after defender. Needs to calm down and link up with Aguero. It's too easy for defenders to just man mark Messi if he plays into that strategy.

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                1. Debauchy
                  • 11 Years
                  5 years, 10 months ago

                  Here's hoping

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        2. ★Kuntheman★
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Croatia has a better midfield but their defense is worse in my mind, and their offense is not as good either. This lineup would fare decently though. Pavon is a brilliant player, I rate him more than Di Maria (and most Argentines do too).

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      3. Freshy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers
        Amazed to see a world class team that has Rojo starting at CB

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        1. ★Kuntheman★
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          I go back and forth between Rojo and Fazio. Rojo on his day is very good, Fazio is more consistent.

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          1. ★Kuntheman★
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            The bigger issue is that Mascherano is still starting.

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            1. Freshy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 10 months ago

              I thought he was washed up when he played for Pool

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              1. Debauchy
                • 11 Years
                5 years, 10 months ago

                Came back strong when he left pool but surely does not have the legs anymore

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  22. quayle99
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Ziyach + Neymar > Golovin + Ronaldo for round 2?

    Plus, Do the wildcard changes stick for the rest of the game or just one round then your team changes back? the wording is unclear?

    ta!

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    1. 420king
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Before this season that would have been a really strange question. They stick.

      Also, you bought Neymar only for Switzerland?

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      1. quayle99
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        I bought him for the whole comp but Ronaldos start by comparison has me shaken

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        1. 420king
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Yeah, same. But by doing a -4 you'd need Ronaldo to score one more goal than Neymar just to break even.

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  23. ★Kuntheman★
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    What Fantasy WC Achievements have you guys unlocked? I've got On Target, Clean Sheet Sensation, and Ready For Football (obviously)

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    1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      I have those and Safe hands

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      1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        League creator instead of On target my bad

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    2. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      snap

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    3. Pierce34
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Those plus the one about creating a mini-league.

      I'm going to flag anyone who says Showstopper 😛

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    4. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Erm....Do you get one for logging in?

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  24. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    5.5 option for my WC?

    Have Layun already . Anyone stick out in today's games ?

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    1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Midfield that is

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