634x258 Dugout Discussion
24 June 2014 3134 comments
Paul Paul
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We’ve another four matches to look forward to this evening as the group stages continue to wrap up. England, of course, already know their fate after losing both opening matches, whilst tonight’s opponents Costa Rica are through to the knockouts after serving up back-to-back wins over Uruguay and Italy to stun the football world:

Costa Rica: Navas; Gamboa, Duarte, Gonzalez, Miller, Diaz; Ruiz, Borges, Tejeda, Brenes; Campbell

England: Foster; Jones, Cahill, Smalling, Shaw; Lampard, Wilshere; Milner, Barkley Lallana; Sturridge

The Costa Ricans make two changes from the side that defeated Italy last week. At the back, Jorge Luis Pinto brings in Roy Miller for Michael Umana, whilst further up the pitch, Christian Bolanos drops out for Randall Brenes in what looks a continuation of the 5-4-1 formation which has proven so successful.

As announced yesterday, Roy Hodgson makes nine changes from the team that lost to Uruguay as England attempt to avoid the ignominy of finishing rock-bottom of Group D. Only Daniel Sturridge and Gary Cahill keep their places for the Three Lions as Hodgson hands his squad members the chance to impress.

Uruguay: Muslera; Caceres, Gimenez, Godin, Pereira; Rodriguez, Arevalo Rios, Gonzalez; Lodeiro; Suarez,Cavani,

Italy: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; De Sciglio, Pirlo, Verratti, Marchisio, Darmian; Balotelli, Immobile

Uruguay are unchanged from the side that beat England 2-1 last week. Oscar Tabarez’ side will line up in a 4-3-1-2 formation once again, with Nicolas Lodeiro tucked in behind Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez, as the latter looks to replicate his match-winning brace against Hodgson’s side and fire his team into the last 16.

Cesare Prandelli’s side need only a draw against the South Americans to secure second spot. The Italians make four changes from their Matchday two loss to Costa Rica and bring in Mattia De Sciglio, Leonardo Bonucci, Marco Verratti and Ciro Immobile in what seems to be a 3-5-2 formation, with the latter partnering Mario Balotelli up top.

In the 9pm matches, Columbia look to finish Group C with a 100% record. The South Americans will be hoping James Rodriguez can maintain the form that has seen him score in each of his first two appearances, while Juan Cuadrado (three assists) and Teofilo Gutierrez (a goal and assist) also carry a major threat against Japan – Fantasy managers will be hoping that reports of rest and rotation turn out to be inaccurate.

The other game in Group C sees Ivory Coast square up to a Greece side that failed to find the net in their opening two matches. While a draw may well be enough for the Africans to progress, Sabri Lamouchi’s men will want to serve up a strong display after narrowly losing to the Colombians in Matchday 2 – Gervinho has notched in both their games so far and is the one guaranteed starter in the front three, though Lamouchi could turn to the experience of Didier Drogba to lead the line this time, having utilised the former Chelsea man as a sub in the first couple of matches.

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  1. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    "Manchester City didn't give me any support during this World Cup, that's shy we lost"

    Yaya Toure

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      😆

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    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Angling for a move to France

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    3. Bøwstring The Carp
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Sounds like a case of wanting your cake and eating it Yaya....

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      1. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        No that's Suarez

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    4. Woy of the Wovers
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Shy?

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      1. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Shhh

        **Why

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    5. Reedy
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Obviously still reeling from birthdaycakegate.

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  2. Tony Warner Fan Club
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    JRodddddddddddddddddddddd

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

      😀

      + Cuadrado

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  3. Konig Luther
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Bacca will not play against Uruguay? Suarez can easily chew Bacca

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Get your coat

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  4. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    BBC are idiots. Never a pen

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  5. Parm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Costa Rica vs Greece in the next round then....

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Sigh

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  6. JT's Dog
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Got a bit lucky there
      Trying to use free bet on betsson and I put £5 on Colombia to win
      Then put £5 on James being their top scorer
      Then put £5 on Mexico getting knocked out in last 16
      Didn't realise betsson keep your previous bet on the slip, so ended up putting £15 on first £10 on second £5 on third
      May actually get to take some money out at this rate

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    • tw
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Anyone captain Rodriguez?

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      1. crystalpalaceRus
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Na neymar is good enough

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      2. VougieDipond
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        nope just worship

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      3. GunsnRoses
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Rodriquez/Neymar/Alba All same 😀

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      4. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        No. We all (stupidly) stuck with Neymar

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        1. Mr Sarcastic
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          stupidly? really?

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          1. HuttonDressedasLahm
            • 16 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Ironically, I was being sarcastic 🙂

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    • The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Is savage related to the Hairy Biker?

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      1. JT's Dog
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Think his mum lily slept with one of them

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          1. The Bandit
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Ah, I know which one

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          2. HuttonDressedasLahm
            • 16 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            **both of them 😉

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      2. LewanGOALski
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        who'd have predicted Costa Rica - Greece as one of knock-out stage games...

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        1. JT's Dog
            11 years, 5 months ago

            I got Greece bit right in mcds predictor
            Had Italy as other

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        2. Chu Young Ping Pong
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Feck you Samaras. Cheating feckk

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        3. Heydudes13
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          James Rodriguez is player of the tournament so far. Was really looking forward to watching him this summer, haven't been disappointed.

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

            +1

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        4. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Wow that's crazy. I saw JRod not starting and thought crap, this week is gonna be rough after Karnezis goes out.

          My team MVP in the group stages.

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        5. boyler
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          does anyone know when we can make our teams for next season ?

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          1. Revival
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Expect maybe around 20th July

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          2. The Bandit
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Probably mid July

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          3. Parm
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            About 3/4 weeks.

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        6. Count of Monte Hristo
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Costa Rica or Greece in the QF

          Who would have thunk it

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          1. Revival
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Costa Rica/Uruguay group forecast was 150/1 pre tournament.
            Group C was always wide open so not suprised as any of the teams could beat each other.

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        7. Mr Sarcastic
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          YESSS, Manolas got few more passes and it's >80% again!!
          8 looks so much better than 7.

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          1. Fifa las vegas
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Agree! 😀

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        8. Fifa las vegas
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Looks like united are signing Herrera! 😀
          Good news....

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          1. VougieDipond
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            is he really a 30 million player though? I don't think he is as good as Mata

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            1. Fifa las vegas
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Don't care tbh. Think he's not as attacking as mata though, is he not a central midfielder like cleverly/carrick? (I may be wrong)
              In that case he has to be an improvement!

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        9. SW6
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Suarez denying he bit Chiellini according to Gary

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          1. HuttonDressedasLahm
            • 16 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            He hurt his eye! Lol

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

              Unbelievable

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            2. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Poor lad

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        10. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          BBC bite close up the best yet

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          1. Heydudes13
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Definite bite.

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        11. HuttonDressedasLahm
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Here's Gabby Logan, with some scally 🙂

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          1. Heydudes13
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            She'd get DESTROYED.

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          2. The Bandit
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Interviewing an England fan left behind by his mates.. Oh wait, it's Phil 🙂

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        12. JT's Dog
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Ok who knows any points for players tonight?

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          • Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Best talent the Premier League has seen since Thierry Henry but time for Suarez to leave.

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

              He's not better than Ronaldo

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              1. VougieDipond
                • 13 Years
                11 years, 5 months ago

                This Or Drogba

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              2. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
                • 13 Years
                11 years, 5 months ago

                Premier League Ronaldo? Really? Henry or Suarez?

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

                  Absolutely, he dominated the league for a few seasons before he left

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                  1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
                    • 13 Years
                    11 years, 5 months ago

                    Yeah, guess so. His goals and assists record was almost as ridiculous as Luis' and he did it from midfield. Still think it's a shame to see such a talent leave (the talent rather than the psycho that I'll be glad to see the back of)

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                  2. Gatsby
                    • 14 Years
                    11 years, 5 months ago

                    was the easiest captain choice back in the day, never removed it all season 😀

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            2. Chu Young Ping Pong
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              LOL

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              1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
                • 13 Years
                11 years, 5 months ago

                You don't rate him.

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                1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
                  • 13 Years
                  11 years, 5 months ago

                  Just remembered you're from Egypt and therefore, I assume, a Utd fan.

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          • Crouch Potato!
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Suarez has been talking to the media and as stated he got a knock in the eye. Glad that's all been cleared up, lets all move on.

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            1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              You don't what Chiellini punished? 😉

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          • Chris_Fàbregas #DOOS…
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            What did Chiellini say in the interview? I missed that part of BBC1..

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          • Parm
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Jackson Martinez & Samaras MOTM

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          • HuttonDressedasLahm
            • 16 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Which side of the draw is Greece Costa Rica? Who gets a QF pass?

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            1. Konig Luther
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Rich Coast

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            2. SW6
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Netherlands vs Mexico

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              1. HuttonDressedasLahm
                • 16 Years
                11 years, 5 months ago

                Holland in the semis then

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          • The Bandit
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Some of the blonde highlights in Nevilles hair are moving 😯

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            1. The Bandit
              • 15 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Around his head that is, not making me emotional 🙂

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            2. Gnu
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              I hears he's related to Mr Cheesy Strings, not sure if it's true mind.

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            3. HuttonDressedasLahm
              • 16 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              😆

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          • Jairzinho
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Yaya Toure assist or not?

            (Mirror game.)

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            1. HuttonDressedasLahm
              • 16 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              He shod get a negative assist for messing up a 4 on 2

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          • Pinturicchio
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Glad James stopped at 16 so I wouldn't feel bad about not giving him (c) after Neymar...

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            1. Gatsby
              • 14 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Indeed

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          • Bøwstring The Carp
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Top players so far for me:

            Ochoa, J.Rod, Sanchez, Cuadrado, Robben, Neymar

            (with Torisidis and Manolas also playing great recently)

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            1. Chu Young Ping Pong
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              LOL AT SPAIN!

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              1. Bøwstring The Carp
                • 14 Years
                11 years, 5 months ago

                Yeah they were very poor for defending world champion's 😉

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            2. GunsnRoses
              • 14 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Messi 😉

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            3. VougieDipond
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Jrod, Valbuena, Benzema, Neymar My rotated cheapo defence has also paid off

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          • Bubz
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            I think selling JRod for -3 has signalled the end of my chances in Fox. So brutal.

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

              🙁

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            2. Heydudes13
              • 14 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              I sorry but 😆

              For Shaqiri too?!?!

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              1. Bubz
                • 12 Years
                11 years, 5 months ago

                Yeah why?

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                1. Heydudes13
                  • 14 Years
                  11 years, 5 months ago

                  He's been pretty shite.

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                  1. Bubz
                    • 12 Years
                    11 years, 5 months ago

                    We'll see

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                    1. Heydudes13
                      • 14 Years
                      11 years, 5 months ago

                      Hope you're right pal, got him in McDs.

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                      1. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
                        • 11 Years
                        11 years, 5 months ago

                        Shaquiri in mcd? LOL

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