634x258 Dugout Discussion
26 June 2014 3877 comments
Paul Paul
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We reach the end of the group stages of Brazil 2014 this evening as the last 16 match-ups are finalised. Group G gets us up and running at 5pm and with all four of the teams still in with a shout of progressing, Fantasy managers will be hoping there’s less chance of rest and rotation. Germany face up to USA and Portugal square up to a Ghana side devoid of Kevin Prince-Boateng and Sulley Muntari after both players were sent home for disciplinary reasons earlier today:

Germany: Neuer; Boateng, Hummels, Mertesacker, Howedes; Lahm, Kroos, Schweinsteiger; Ozil, Muller, Podolski

USA: Howard; Johnson, Gonzalez, Besler, Beasley; Jones, Beckerman; Davis, Bradley, Zusi; Dempsey

Joachim Low makes a couple of changes from the side that drew with Ghana. The Germany manager brings in Bastian Schweinsteiger for Sami Khedira in the centre of the park, while Lukas Podolski comes in for Mario Gotze in the front three. Thomas Muller owners will be looking for more of the same, after the Bayern man notched three goals and an assist in the opening couple of matches, whilst those holding Mesut Ozil will be desperate for an improvement after a couple of patchy displays so far.

Jurgen Klinsmann also makes two alterations as he attempts to get the better of his native country. Omar Gonzalez replaces Geoff Cameron in central defence, whilst Brad Davis gets the nod ahead of Alejandro Bedoya on the right flank – Clint Dempsey is looking to score for the third successive match, though the likes of Michael Bradley and Graham Zusi also offer a threat from the attacking midfield positions.

Portugal: Beto; Pereira, Alves, Pepe, Veloso; W Carvalho, Moutinho, Amorim; Nani, Eder, Ronaldo

Ghana: Dauda; Afful, Boye, Mensah, Asamoah; Rabiu, Agyemang-Badu; Atsu, Waris, A Ayew; Gyan

Paulo Bento welcomes Pepe back from suspension for the vital game with Ghana, as Ricardo Costa drops out to accommodate the Real Madrid man at centre-half. The Portugal boss makes three further changes, drafting in William Carvalho, Ruben Amorim and Eder for Andre Almeida, Raul Meireles and Helder Postiga – the former two look set to be installed in the middle, with Miguel Veloso shifting to left-back. All eyes will be on Cristiano Ronaldo, though, as he looks to get his goal account finally up and running and fire his side into the last 16.

Prince-Boateng and Muntari’s omissions are the only two changes from Kwesi Appiah after a very encouraging draw with Germany. Udinese player Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu comes into the double-pivot to replace Muntari, whilst the highly-rated Abdul Majeed Waris is tucked in behind Asaomoah Gyan up top. Andrew Ayew, with a goal in both group games so far, looks the major threat for the Africans once again.

Later on, Belgium go head-to-head with South Korea as Marc Wilmots’ side look to end the group stages with a 100% record. Bearing in mind they’re already through, though, there’s a fear that we could see a number of changes from the Europeans in this one, with Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne owners hoping they’ll keep their places in the starting XI. Up top, Wilmots may well omit Romelu Lukaku from his line-up after subbing off the Chelsea man in each of the first two games, whilst at the back, Belgium are set to be without both Vincent Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen through injury.

Those defensive concerns will afford the Koreans optimism and with three goals in their first two matches, they present a definite threat to Thibaut Courtois’ clean sheet prospects. The highly-rated Son Heung-min grabbed his first of the tournament in Matchday 2 and, having netted 10 times for Leverkusen in the previous Bundesliga campaign, carries the main threat for Hon Myung-bo’s side.

Despite scoring once and picking up a single point in their opening two matches, Russia are still in with a shout of making the last 16. A win against Algeria, coupled with a Belgian triumph over South Korean, will take Fabio Capello’s side through – Alexander Kokorin looks their best chance of netting, though Alexander Kerzhakov will be hoping for his first start after climbing off the bench in the first pair of fixtures.

After an emphatic 4-2 win over South Korea, Vahid Halilhodzic’s side will approach this one with little fear. Islam Slimani, Abdelmoumene Djabou and Sofiane Feghouli have all served up a goal and assist in the first two fixtures and will fancy their chances of picking up further returns against an unconvincing backline that has been breached in both their opening matches.

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

    3 Belgians in my team and none is starting 😐

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

      same here.

      Its ok tho I have 3 algerians ready to step up!

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  2. A Defender's Nightmare
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Guys, whom should I play between Slimani and Bentaleb? 😐

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

      Slimani all day long

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    2. Shels
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      silmani, so far benty done noting for me points wise

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    3. A Defender's Nightmare
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Cheers. 🙂

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  3. #WinterIsNotComing
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    KDB?

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

      on the bench

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

    tempted to bring Lukaku in anyway. I have a feeling he'll score off the bench

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

      who are you taking out?

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

        My lowest scores are: 3, 4, 5

        and I have Mesbah, Bentaleb and maybe Lukaku/KDB if I choose to drop 5 to one of them

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

    Bentaleb better do a job today.

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    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      He's staying on my bench.

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

        Are you playing KDB?

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        1. Billy Gilmore
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Nope. Will just keep Di Maria's 7.

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  6. Wilshere Knowledge
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    What a finish.

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  7. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    NOOOOOOOOOOOOO

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

    Muller great goal 😀

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  9. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    What a finish Muller.

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  10. Fray Bentos
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Mullered

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    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Phew! *wipes brow*

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

    Okay... So I am I allow to play 2 mids?
    Got someone with 3pts on the bench, would I get that 3pts?

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

    If Portugal get another this could get very interesting

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  13. r0nh
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Hazard & KDB starting?

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    1. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      No&No.

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      1. r0nh
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        🙁

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  14. Pinoche
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Gyan goal

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

      THAT pass 😯

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  15. Billy Gilmore
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Gyan goal.

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  16. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Muller joins Neymar and Messi on 4 goals

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  17. Ginkapo FPL
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Should have started Bedoya.

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  18. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Yes Ghana 😀

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Just don't score again

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    2. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Just don't score again.

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    3. Ginkapo FPL
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      You're better of taking your chances that Portugal cant overturn that goal difference.

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      1. Fray Bentos
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Indeed

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    4. Fray Bentos
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      That's bad for USA isn't it?

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      1. Wilshere Knowledge
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Americans don't know anything about football! 😆

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        1. JK - Cønt ⭐
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          I'm not American 😆

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          1. Wilshere Knowledge
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            I know, I know. 😀

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        2. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          *soccer.

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          1. Fray Bentos
            • 16 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            *soccerball

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      2. JK - Cønt ⭐
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        realised my error

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  19. Shels
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Medjani Bentelab Kombarov to choose from

    6,6,7 points to take out (maybe ozil)

    what do yas think

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  20. GREENDREAMS11
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Backing Muller is printing money. i had 2 fgs today. Muller and Gyan. pity about Gyan

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    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Gyan counts.

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

      Gyan was first goal scorer

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      1. GREENDREAMS11
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        no, your jokin ?

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

          Nope. Own goals dont count.

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          1. GREENDREAMS11
            • 16 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Excellent, cheers guys, I never knew that

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  21. LOCO ABREU
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    assist for germany?

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

      no-one

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

      None in McD's

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    3. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      No one.

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  22. Shels
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    o no if ghana win, usa out -_- like ghana but they dont have muntari or boateng now so not as much

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

    3 & 4 out for Mesbah and Bentaleb worth it if they start, right..?

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

    Ghana Goal Gyan

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  25. NATSTER
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Start Bentaleb and bench KDB.

    Right set up?

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

      I'm going for that. Just need to guarantee points as im top of my league, not worth the risk.

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      1. Vote Joke
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Gatsby? What Gatsby?

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        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Not the great one, anyway. 😉

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  26. Kroos Kontrol
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Guys, Bring on Bentaleb or Bougerra? #McD

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  27. Debauchy
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Just got back in , tx Bubz - accy now in !!!! BTTS Relax

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  28. Siva Mohan
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Hull City have made a £4million offer to sign Tottenham Hotspur captain Michael Dawson.

    Hull are looking to sign their third player from Spurs in two years after signing Tom Huddlestone last season, and only at the beginning of the week wrapping up an £8million deal for midfielder Jake Livermore, who was on loan at the KC Stadium last campaign.

    £8million for Jake Livermore 😯

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    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      English tax.

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    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I think those are all cracking signings, and excellent value.

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

    This could get tricky for Germany. Playing out a 0-0 is one thing, allowing the opposition to score an equaliser is another 😉

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  30. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Müller scored, right? Cooking.

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    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Yup. I have him too.

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