Dugout Discussion
28 June 2018 836 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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The final two matches of the 2018 World Cup group stage take place this evening, with England and Belgium facing off to decide who qualifies as Group G winners.

With both sides having already progressed to the knockout rounds (and with finishing in first place perhaps not quite as advantageous as usual), managers Gareth Southgate and Roberto Martinez have made sweeping changes to their starting line-ups with the round of 16 in mind.

Harry Kane (£11.0m) and Jesse Lingard (£7.5m), who both have Fantasy ownerships of above 10%, are among eight players rested by Southgate this evening. Jordan Pickford (£5.5m), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (£6.0m) and John Stones (£5.5m), who scored two goals in the 6-1 win over Panama, are the only England players to keep their place.

Romelu Lukaku (£10.0m), owned by over a fifth of McDonald’s FIFA managers, misses out with injury, while Thomas Meunier (£6.0m) and Kevin De Bruyne (£10.0m), both one booking away from suspension, have not been risked. Eden Hazard (£11.0m) is another casualty of rotation, with Thibaut Courtois (£6.0m) and Dedryck Boyata (£5.0m) the only Belgium players playing tonight who also featured in their 5-2 win over Tunisia.

Belgium and England have scored six big chances apiece going into this fixture, more than any other nation so far despite playing one match fewer than 28 other nations.

Panama and Tunisia, already eliminated, meet in Saransk in the other match to kick off at 7pm.

There is little interest from Fantasy managers in this dead rubber, with budget bench fodder accounting for most of the money invested in these two squads. Ferjani Sassi (£5.0m), who scored from the spot in Tunisia’s 2-1 defeat to England, is one to watch tonight given that Panama conceded two penalties in their 6-1 loss to the Three Lions.

England XI (3-5-2): Pickford; Jones, Stones, Cahill; Rose, Dier, Delph, Loftus-Cheek, Alexander-Arnold; Rashford, Vardy

Belgium XI (3-4-3): Courtois; Dendoncker, Boyata, Vermaelen; Chadli, Dembele, Fellaini, Tielemans; T. Hazard, Januzaj, Batshuayi

Panama XI (4-5-1): Penedo; Ovalle, Roman Torres, Escobar, Machado; Gomez, Godoy, Avila, Rodriguez, Barcenas; Gabriel Torres

Tunisia XI (4-3-3): Mathlouthi; Nagguez, Meriah, Bedoui, Haddadi; Sassi, Skhiri, Chaalali; F. Ben Youssef, Khazri, Sliti

World Cup Data

We’re delighted to offer World Cup data as an early addition to our regular season offering to help those playing Fantasy games over the summer.

We’ve secured Opta data, not only for the tournament itself, but also from the Qualifying Rounds for Europe and South America and for international friendlies involving the participating nations. This includes all the matches played right up to the tournament kick-off.

Just to stress, this World Cup offering comes packaged with the regular Fantasy Football Scout membership.

Check out this new trailer detailing the World Cup content below…

McDonald’s FIFA World Cup Fantasy

Join our McDonald’s FIFA World Cup Fantasy league ‘FantasyFootballScout’ using the code: HEWJPVYR

Fantasy iTeam

Fantasy Football Scout is supporting Fantasy iTeam, a free World Cup game available on a number of mobile devices, including iPhone, iPad, iPodTouch and Android. We have an official Fantasy Football Scout League open to UK users only, with a £1000 of Amazon vouchers to give out, split between the top three performers. There’s also the small matter of £10k worth of prizes available in the main competitions: Overall World Championship and Manager of the Gameround.

Click here for details and here to sign up.

Our League name is Fantasy Football Scout and the pin is 1887.

Please note, users must be over 18 and based in the UK to join our league.

836 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Essan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    This morning I was on 38 points, with 5 players left.

    I am now on 37 points ....... With 0 for my (c)

    I am useless 😀

    1. Feloh
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      lol

    2. UNDERSCORE
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      haha

  2. CloudSky
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Southgate needed someone who wont score. On comes Welbeck. No further instructions needed.

    1. A.T
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Seriously though, how did he get picked for this. There must be someone out thete, even if it's from the Championship ffs

      1. CloudSky
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Glenn Murray wanted a break.

        1. A.T
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          Fair enough

  3. Sterling is £11Mill..…
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Where do people reckon Sturridge will move to? He was on loan to West Brom so he is back at Liverpool right? I think they only want 15/20 mil for him, although with that injury record :/. Probably injured right now?

    1. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Loan again. West Ham or Southampton.

      1. Sterling is £11Mill..…
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        god yea West Ham is where players go to retire I think, its like a Man City graveyard

      2. HamezMace
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        If there is one thing West Ham need it’s another injury prone striker who isn’t good enough for Liverpool

    2. A.T
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      No-one will pay that for him

    3. Majestic Chanka
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      OGC Nice would be good

      They have a way of reviving careers

      Think a lot of the injury prone players would benefit from playing abroad

      1. Sterling is £11Mill..…
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        yea could work if he actually wanted to pull his finger out, just cant see him leaving England. He really eneds to sort his chit out though its pathetic. Wind blows and he is injured

    4. Essan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Macclesfield Town. They could do wonders with that 15/20 million 😀

      1. Sterling is £11Mill..…
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        🙂 id like to see it

    5. Norman Conquest
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      royal london hospital

      1. Sterling is £11Mill..…
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        haha

    6. noquarternt
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      You just know it'll be West Ham

  4. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Khazri has saved my week. That (c) is literally like half my points this week.

    1. 420king
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Nice!

    2. George Sillett
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Like half your points or half your points ?

      1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        A bugbear of mine too

      2. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        No mention of "literally"?

        1. George Sillett
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          Like good point.

  5. Red Dagger ✪
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Can anyone beat 24 points with a minus 8?

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      I think my armband might still be on Yoshida from Round 1 😀

    2. Je suis le chat
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      19 here with Fly catcher captain.

      1. Red Dagger ✪
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Open mouth breather mine too.

    3. Norman Conquest
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      50 with -4

      1. Red Dagger ✪
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Nice! That might be enough for the 3 of us 😉

  6. Twelve years a slave
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    When he is playing in premier league commentator pronounces him as Fellani, when W/C is on its Fallayni. Noticed this about a few other players too. Commentators been working hard on pronounciation

    1. noquarternt
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Big beef about it in Oz

  7. Syd.
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Phil Jones needs a compass

    He is a bit lost

  8. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Estamos en octavos. La fe está intacta

    We're in the eighth. Faith is intact.

    https://twitter.com/jamesdrodriguez/status/1012422036445069312

    JRod delighted to be playing England 😆

    1. noquarternt
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Where does he say delighted?

  9. Twelve years a slave
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    England in the tough half of draw now, they in with the tournament winners Croatia

    1. Je suis le chat
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Should get to semis which will be seen as a success.

  10. GREEN IS GOOD
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Great result for England, well done boys. We'll steamroll Colombia who will be leggy after today's game.

    1. Hooky
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      They have 5 days to recover!

  11. JJeyy
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    4 belgium anyone?

    1. Norman Conquest
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      2

  12. Longlatini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Jafooli, will you be on next season’s Scoutcast?

    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      *Jafuuli

  13. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Day 1:
    France vs Argentina
    Uruguay vs Portugal
    Day 2:
    Spain vs Russia
    Croatia vs Denmark
    Day 3:
    Brazil vs Mexico
    Belgium vs Japan
    Day 4:
    Sweden vs Switzerland
    Colombia vs England

    Winners on each day play each other in QF
    Day 1 vs Day 3 in SF
    Day 2 vs Day 4 in SF

    1. CRO KLOPP
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Eng Vs Cro in the semis

      1. Les Bleus
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Who will England play in the finals?

        1. Les Bleus
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          Final*

          1. CRO KLOPP
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 9 months ago

            Japan

        2. Norman Conquest
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          belgium

  14. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Stupid Belgium. They're on my list...all of them.

    1. Je suis le chat
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      In fairness to Martinez, he's managed them well. Hope they turn over Brazil and meet Brexitland in the final; be a stonker of a match.

  15. Sterling is £11Mill..…
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Next random topic:
    What striker will Chelsea sign? Like they will sign a striker obviously, Morata cant cut it if they seriously want to compete. Plus they will lose Willian and Conte

    1. noquarternt
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      After their recent signings, Sturridge.

      1. Sterling is £11Mill..…
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        LMAO ur actually right, homegrown after all

        1. noquarternt
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          Barkley and Drinkwater.

          I just can't even begin to understand who's making decisions like that. Don't give me 'for the English numbers' they've got people like RLC hiding away at other clubs.

          1. Sterling is £11Mill..…
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 9 months ago

            yea really odd signings, they have gone so far backwards. Losing Costa was a massive mistake, he is quality imo. Like he isnt the best striker in the world but he can deliver week in week out. He was a big part of that squad as well, big fck up letting him go

        2. Norman Conquest
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          he started at city

    2. A.T
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Mertens

    3. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Not sure they will. Morata second season, Giroud and Batsh!te back from loan.

      1. Sterling is £11Mill..…
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Oh is Bats coming back? Giroud good as impact sub imo but not starting week in week out. But to compete for the title they need more quality then that, thats just depth

    4. SW6
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Morara, Giroud & Batshuayi is a good enough strike force.

    5. Silecro
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      As a Chelsea fan, I would be perfectly comfortable with Giroud as a main striker. Very solid first couple of months, can prove himself not to be labeled anymore as a super-sub

  16. Pirlø's Pen
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on this B.B. team appreciated!

    Allison Sommer
    Meunier Miranda Carvajal Lovren Granqvist
    Modric Coutinho Isco Quintero Inui
    Kane Lukaku Costa

    1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      If you don’t have Wc in hand then its a risk to have munier since hes booked

    2. Root
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Needs more England

      1. UshFPL
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Why? Colombia are a strong side

        1. Root
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          Disagreed. Quadruple England for me.

  17. Drexl Spivey
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    At least Germany put some heart into it.

    1. Norman Conquest
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      and where are they now

    2. noquarternt
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      ???

    3. Drexl Spivey
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      ^ Irony lost on these lads.

      1. noquarternt
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Not really ironic is it?

        1. Drexl Spivey
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          Feintly duplicitous, at the very least.

    4. Dr Dream
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Germany need to learn from England. Playing with heart means nothing...what you need is to play with Harry Kane. Oh...and they need to learn to be organised like England are instead of running around like headless chickens.

      They've gone home and we're still here.

      1. Drexl Spivey
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Joking mate.

        1. Dr Dream
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          ^Irony lost on this lad.

          1. Drexl Spivey
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 9 months ago

            You did put a lot of work into it, to be fair.

            1. George Sillett
              • 10 Years
              7 years, 9 months ago

              The irony is that he didn't,.

  18. ludaslol
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Must haves for the first round of 16 with no WC left?

    1. Drexl Spivey
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Modric a pretty decent bet.

    2. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Modric.belgian attacker

  19. SW6
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Well, glad that's sorted. It's coming home.

    1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Belgium have really confused me. Why did they choose to win. Don't get the logic

      1. SW6
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        I watched that game in the pub. Maybe the beer clouded my mind, but I wasn't sure if I wanted us to score or not. Weird game.

        1. George Sillett
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          I for one am very happy as to how this has worked out. Both managers deep down would have admitted that tonight's game was actually pretty meaningless which was indicated by the sides that they selected. Onwards !!!

          1. SW6
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 9 months ago

            I think I am too. Were in the easier half, and I don't think it's affected our team that much. Colombia will be tough but were capable of beating them

        2. HamezMace
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          Same mate

      2. Jambot
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        I’d rather play Japan than Colombia next and once youre in the quarters there aren’t really any easy games. Croatia have looked as good as France, Portugal or Argentina for example

  20. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Big shout out to Southgate for showing classic British guile. Its coming home!

    1. Dr Dream
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      It certainly is.

  21. Murder On Zidanesfloor
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone ready for an RMT yet?

    1. 420king
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      I need a day after this disaster.

    2. Norman Conquest
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      yea let it rip

      1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Muslera/Sommer
        Trippier/Miranda/Carvajal/Lovren/Granqvist
        Coutinho/Modric/Isco/Quintero/Claesson
        Kane/Hazard/Mbappe

        Thinking of playing BB. No wc remaining

        1. Norman Conquest
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          not bad got to juggle mine around now and remove inui and quintero

          1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 9 months ago

            Why Quintero?

          2. Drexl Spivey
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 9 months ago

            Quintero still a good shout, no?

    3. F4L
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      shoot

  22. ludaslol
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Best captain options out of those if you can't twist (different game)

    A) D. Costa vs Russia
    B) Suarez vs Portugal
    C) Mbappe vs Argentina
    D) Modric vs Denmark

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      A

  23. UshFPL
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Why are people leaving the French attackers out of their drafts. They're not playing to their potential but their pace will deetroy that shambles of an Argentine defence

    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Fear of strike action

      1. Fred54
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        French strikers heh.

    2. GoonerByron
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Mbappe in for me

      1. UshFPL
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Same here. He's looked very good so far

    3. WE ARE RANGERS
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      French have been rubbish, what are you basing this on?

      1. UshFPL
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Their pace on the counter attack and Argentina being awful

  24. George Sillett
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Trent's a proper sharp tool.

  25. GoonerByron
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone going with both Granqvist and R Rodriguez for the next round?

    1. Norman Conquest
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      just going with granny

    2. ktongue
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Had R Rodriguez since game week 1 and how he's not got sent off I have no idea.

  26. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Looking for advice from anyone familiar with Telegraph game. Block defence still good tactic or not?

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      * Thinking Spain Uruguay and moving to Brazil Belgium in round of 16. 5 transfers though out of 20

  27. Murder On Zidanesfloor
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    RMBBT

    Muslera/Sommer
    Trippier/Miranda/Carvajal/Lovren/Granqvist
    Coutinho/Modric/Isco/Quintero/Claesson
    Kane/Hazard/Mbappe

  28. UshFPL
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Which Belgian attacker are you going for? Why? I feel like Lukaku could net a couple against thr Japanese but won't get a touch v Brazil

    1. WE ARE RANGERS
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      lukaku is a must, he will also score against brazil IMO

  29. lilmessipran
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    It's coming home or "they are" coming home?

  30. GREEN IS GOOD
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    England will batter Colombia no problem. England v Belgium final. At full strength England 3 Belgium 1.

    IT'S COMING HOME

    1. Norman Conquest
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      already booked the final off from work

      1. George Sillett
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Spain fan ?

        1. Norman Conquest
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          i like san miguel if that counts

          1. George Sillett
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 9 months ago

            That will do. ☺

      2. Epic Fail
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        I've already phoned in sick for it.

        1. George Sillett
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          I'm selling my business for it.☺

          1. Epic Fail
            • 15 Years
            7 years, 9 months ago

            Bet the sale money on England. Basically printing money.

            1. Norman Conquest
              • 12 Years
              7 years, 9 months ago

              this

            2. George Sillett
              • 10 Years
              7 years, 9 months ago

              I wouldn't be selling if I could manage that . ☺

    2. WE ARE RANGERS
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      deluded

      1. Norman Conquest
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        local tattooist has promised to keep a slot open for me as well

    3. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      next round they are coming home