634x258 Dugout Discussion
18 June 2014 2465 comments
Paul Paul
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Fantasy managers will be looking for an improvement from this evening’s three fixtures after yesterday’s schedule served up just five goals. The first match on our agenda bodes well for Fantasy returns as Holland square up to Australia on the back of a stunning 5-1 triumph over defending champions Spain last time around:

Holland: Cillessen; Janmaat, Vlaar, De Vrij, Martins Indi, Blind; De Jong, De Guzman, Sneijder; Van Persie, Robben

Australia: Ryan; McGowan, Wilkinson, Spiranovic, Davidson; Jedinak, McKay, Bresciano; Leckie, Cahill, Oar

Unsurprisingly, Louis Van Gaal names an unchanged side after last week’s humbling of Spain. Holland are expected to line up in a 5-3-2 formation once again, then, with Daley Blind and Daryl Janmaat handed the wing-back role, while front two Arjen Robben and Robin Van Persie will be hoping to maintain the form that saw both score twice in their Group B opener.

Australia make a couple of alterations from the side that lost to Chile. Ivan Franjic is out with a hamstring injury, allowing Ryan McGowan the chance to deputise at right-back, whilst in central midfield, Matt McKay comes in for Mark Milligan. As always, Tim Cahill carries the main threat as the former Everton man looks to get amongst the goals again, having netted in last week’s 3-1 loss.

Following that one, Spain square up to Chile in a must-win Group B match. Their humbling by the Dutch, allied with the South American’s opening win over the Aussies, means Vicente del Bosque’s side have it all to do – if Holland win in the earlier match, a victory for Chile would send the Spaniards tumbling out after just two games. Diego Costa’s starting role looks under threat in light of a poor display against the Dutch, whilst Fantasy managers will be hoping del Bosque’s side can replicate the resilience that made their defence such strong options in the previous couple of international tournaments. Chile will look to Alexis Sanchez to maintain the form that saw him produce a goal and assist in the 3-1 win over Australia, though Jorge Valdivia and Eduardo Vargas are also in form, having served up a goal and assist respectively last time around.

The late 11pm kick-off sees Croatia take on Cameroon as both sides attempt to bounce back from Matchday 1 defeats. Suspended for the loss to Brazil, Mario Mandzukic is available once again and is expected to lead the line – with Ivan Rakitic, Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic supplying the guile from midfield, Niko Kovac’s side may well prove too strong for their opponents. The Africans are sweating on the fitness of Samuel Eto’o ahead of tonight’s game – the veteran’s potential absence could afford Vincent Aboubakar his first start of the tournament in a reshuffle up top.

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  1. iCon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Well done Chile; totally deserved!

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  2. ★FC Borecelona★
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    I fear for Spain against Australia

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  3. Leaf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Every co-commentator is worse than the last

    Where did they get them from this World Cup !

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  4. BONZ
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    All that quality in the squad and yet they cant play together?

    No plan B and its a shocker....

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    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Have we sent in a lineup for matchday 2 against England?

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      1. Christina.
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        lol

        did u win first game?

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        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          think so

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  5. Yome
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Adios Espana haha!!!

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  6. Godfather Bandit 42
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    This wasn't a title defence, it was a title surrender!!

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  7. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Who would've thought the title holders would be the first to go out of the tournament

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    1. shazzaaam
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      it would be boring if it was predictable

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      1. Bøwstring The Carp
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        True that, loving it so far. Hope the Argies win though, most of my bets have something to do with them

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        1. shazzaaam
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          lol me too!! 2 players on and generally want them to win the WC

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  8. pundit of punts
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    10 points from Vargas. Not bad. Not worth keeping the armband with him though.

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    1. Christina.
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      lol

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    2. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      I'm much tempted. No confidence in the rest of my squad.

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      1. pundit of punts
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        I've got Yaya,JRod,Ozil,messi,benzema to fall back on. Might try my luck.

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        1. teddy.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Fair enough.
          My options are rubbish:
          Nyom
          Maniatis/Karnezis
          De Sciglio
          Valbuena/RRodriguez/Stocker
          Valladares
          Montazeri
          KPB/Durm
          Pjanic
          Lukaku/Fayzulin
          Ghoulam
          Bedoya

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  9. shazzaaam
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    its a south american world cup

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    1. Yome
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Yes Uruguay to kick out England tomorrow

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      1. shazzaaam
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        agreed

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        1. Yome
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Luis will do the business hopefully

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          1. shazzaaam
            • 11 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            is suarez still injured?

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  10. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Wow how brill is this World Cup!

    Just need Rooney n co to smash youreagay tomorrow

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    1. iCon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      youreagay; 😆

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  11. Demí
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    See ya Aussies

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    1. Christina.
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      aus to beat spain

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  12. Jimmers
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Second string team will play against Australia. Will probably win

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  13. teddy.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Armband on Vargas(10). Stick or twist?

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    1. crystalpalaceRus
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      twist

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      1. teddy.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        My options are rubbish:
        Nyom
        Maniatis/Karnezis
        De Sciglio
        Valbuena/RRodriguez/Stocker
        Valladares
        Montazeri
        KPB/Durm
        Pjanic
        Lukaku/Fayzulin
        Ghoulam
        Bedoya

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  14. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Good riddance spain

    Thanks for the boring era of football

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    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      I concur.

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  15. Christina.
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    major rotation now for holland and chile...

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    1. Yome
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      No way, they need to win first place for the group

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    2. Leaf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Nope , not at all

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    3. iCon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Surely both won't want to come 2nd though?

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      1. alastair
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Correct - 2nd probably play Brazil

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    4. tw
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      doubtful. both will want to avoid Brazil if possible

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      1. Christina.
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        true I guess. rvp suspended?

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        1. JK - Cønt ⭐
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          yup

          Lens looking the most likely replacement

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          1. Christina.
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            wont surprise me if chile beat them. draw maybe.

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          2. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
            • 11 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            Huntelaar & Depay in for RVP & Martins Indi. 4-3-3.

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        2. Il Gladiatore
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Yeah. Huntelaar upfront?

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          1. JK - Cønt ⭐
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            Lens looks more likely

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            1. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
              • 11 Years
              11 years, 6 months ago

              It really could be both. Martins Indi went off injured, and Netherlands are easily adapted to 433.

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            2. Il Gladiatore
              • 14 Years
              11 years, 6 months ago

              Might be worth a punt in the Telegraph game, should be goals in that match

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  16. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    7 from Neymar and 7 from Busquets.

    Next (c) .... Maniatis 😕

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  17. yash
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    How many points did Robben score in mcds?

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  18. TheSteady ¤ Wines th…
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    DARIJOOOO SRNA! DARIJOOO SRNA! DARIJOO SRNA!

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  19. Godfather Bandit 42
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    S-Pain

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  20. potatoace
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Adios tiki-taka.

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  21. tw
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    so Xavi and Xabi Alonso probably won't play again for Spain. who else?

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    1. Yome
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Torres, Casillas...

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      1. tw
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        probably right. and Villa

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        1. Yome
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Yes and Inesta getting old too...

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          1. tw
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            he's 30 so probably not quite done yet

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    2. the axolotl
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Iker

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    3. iCon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Zubizaretta?

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  22. Tomlette Greggs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Chile v Netherlands is going to be a cracker.

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    1. LOCO ABREU
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      agree

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  23. Nico.
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Will Sanchez get the assist for winning the foul?

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    1. tw
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      don't think so. believe assist rules are different from FPL

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      1. Nico.
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks 🙂

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  24. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    This really is shaping up to be one of the best World Cup's ever.

    Keep it up everybody. 🙂

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      **Cups

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  25. iCon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    On phone, how many points for Ramos?

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    1. emperikal
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      8 points. Decent considering

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      1. iCon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Lols, imagine he managed a c/s and a goal!

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  26. Kicking the cabbage
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Has anyone noticed a new note up by the formation change option in mcd football?

    "You are unable to change the formation that would remove a player that has already played"!

    I lost points in round one cause this actually happened to me...HELP

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    1. tw
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      nothing you can do... think they fixed the problem since then

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      1. Kicking the cabbage
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        At least it is fixed it...left me with being unable to change my formation before the last round to bring in a defender..ahwell... no excuse for crap points..lol

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  27. FACUPARSE
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Those Chile fans bursting into the stadium 😆

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  28. Gubbins94.
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Have a fiver on Chile at 40/1. RVP is a big loss for Holland in the final game.

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    1. Yome
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Good one! NL defense is awful, I'd predict a Chile win

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  29. alastair
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    5 live just pointed out that Spanish phone ins will be complaining about lack of winter break, poor coaching of kids and over competitive parents !

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  30. Henry Hill
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    I haven't seen a title defence this weak since Manchester United 13/14.

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    1. tw
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      😆

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