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

    How the f**k has Ronaldo only got 1??

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    1. Christina.
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Dunno. Should / could have been 4 at least.
      🙁

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  2. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Not football related but tonight's other tie-break question if needed: (dont look it up)

    Kingda Ka in New Jersey is the world's tallest rollercoaster. What is its maximum height in metres?

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

      468

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      1. Your Mum's Athletic
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        😯

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

          They sent a man to the moon, don't tell me they can't build a big roller coaster! 😆

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

        😯

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

      158m

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

      112?

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

      789

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

        😯 😯

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

        Wtf, bubz? 😀

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      3. Your Mum's Athletic
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        😆 not quite buddy

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

      140?

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    6. Alan The Llama
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      63

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

      50

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

      4

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      1. Your Mum's Athletic
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        😆 nessie

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

        😆

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    9. Your Mum's Athletic
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      1 person was 1 metre out 😯

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

        788

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

        3?

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

        5m?

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      4. Hamstergod
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        139?

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        1. Your Mum's Athletic
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          BOOM

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

            nice, finally guessed something right 🙂

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      5. Your Mum's Athletic
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        these were the exact comments i was hoping for 🙂

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

    Ohhhh my god USA so close

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

      Almost for the Captain

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

    Mesbah or Bentaleb if both starting?

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

      Mesbah

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

    Adam Blackmore ‏@bigadamsport 6m
    I understand Luke Shaw's move to #mufc is getting closer & that he's due to have a medical in North-West very soon

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

      For 34m? Absolutely incredible.

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      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        ridiculous price imo

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

          It's a ridiculous price in anyone's opinion, but it's expected.

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  6. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    come on usa..... really want to see em go thro over portugal

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

      they are through!

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      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        WHOOP WHOOP excellent news smithers

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

      Likewise.

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

    USA USA USA USA USA USA

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    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      office sweep still on 😎

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

        😎

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

    Slimani OR Lukaku?

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  9. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Really fancied Ronaldo to come good in that match...but..just wasn't to be. Shame because he might have added a bit of spice to the last 16 picks.

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

      He had 5 golden opportunities.

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      1. Dr Dream
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Just wouldn't go in for him....Would have been good to have an alternative to the template.

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    2. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      twas the german thrashing that did for em

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  10. pundit of punts
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Dauda on 8 points. 😆

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

      He was terrible.

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      1. pundit of punts
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        I know. But will take those points thoiugh.

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

          Does that include -1 for 2 goals conceded? What's the breakdown?

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          1. User
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            3 for mins played, 6 for saves, -1 for goals conceded.

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

      Saved my gameweek 🙂

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

        The icing on mine. 🙂

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    3. User
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Having both Dauda and Ronaldo made that match for me. 😀 Decided to watch it over the Germany-USA game.

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

    I'm 5th overrall in the McD's league but have to to work soon, getting Valbuena and Benz out but any Belgian team news lads?

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  12. palace ash
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Haghighi (6), Montazer (6), Durm (0) and Özil (6)

    to

    MBolhi, KdB, Bentaleb and Slimani?

    Worth sacrificing 18 points?

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    1. pundit of punts
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Ozil will get 1 more point for the CS.

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      1. palace ash
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Forgot about cs. Won't pick KdB if he doesn't start.

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    2. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      kdb aint starting and i havent seen the algeria lineup

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  13. Evs
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Evening lads.

    If I change Mcformation does it still screw things up?

    I want to go to a 442 from 433 and bring in Alderwierlad for Gerrard.

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    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      i think its fixed if you remove the player then change formation

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      1. Evs
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Err... Think 😯 ??

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        1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          well i havent tried it yet

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

        precisely, important to do it in order

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        1. Evs
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          So....

          Remove player, change 442, then bring in def?

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          1. Alan The Llama
            • 16 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Exactly

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            1. Evs
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 16 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Ta. 🙂

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    2. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      You can but hear Toby might not be starting

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      1. Evs
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        No alder?

        Maybe I play Bentlab then ?

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    3. palace ash
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      No. Take out whoever you want, then change formation. Works perfectly.

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    4. Michaelangelo
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      If you do it right, no. shouldn't screw it up

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

      Not if you make the sub then change formation afterwards but I thought Alderwierlad was benched?

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      1. Evs
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Is he ?

        In which case I'll play Bentalab.

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

          I thought manager said he was benching him due to yellow but wait for confirmation

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    6. tm245
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Tread softly. I removed before switching and lost a player, but I think that was my error and not the website.

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

    South America(5): Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Argentina
    North Anerica(2): Mexico, USA
    Europe(6): Netherlands, Greece, France, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium
    Africa(1): Nigeria

    TBC: Russia/Algeria/SKorea

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

      Costa Rica belongs to CONACAF as well.

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

        Thanks

        South America(5): Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Uruguay, Argentina
        North Anerica(3): Mexico, Costa Rica, USA
        Europe(6): Netherlands, Greece, France, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium
        Africa(1): Nigeria

        TBC: Russia/Algeria/SKorea

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    2. Hamstergod
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      You forgot Uruguay

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    3. Walrus Eggs
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Costa Rica has moved?

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  15. tm245
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Phew!

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  16. Zombie
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    People posting: It's soccer as USA is better than England now

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

      On your bike then: http://www.fantasysoccerscout.co.uk/

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

        😆

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  17. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Well done Ginkapo and BOG, i have to actually go run the quiz now, i'll do some more when i can. bye for now

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

    Algeria Russia lineups today FAST!

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  19. Holmes
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    When will line-up probably announced? Within 1 hour?

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  20. Evs
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Ok, anyone know Belgium team?

    Or if Toby A starts ?

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    1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Nothing confirmed yet but a line up was posted earlier

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    2. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      no toby i beleive

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

      No. It was announced.

      @svenclaes · 59m
      Belgium: Courtois; Vanden Borre, Van Buyten, Lombaerts, Vertonghen, Fellaini, Defour, Dembélé; Mertens, Mirallas, Januzaj.

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    4. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Looking increasingly unlikely he starts if reports are to be believed

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

      Sven Claes ‏@svenclaes 1m View translation Belgium: Courtois; Vanden Borre, Van Buyten, Lombaerts, Vertonghen, Fellaini, Defour, Dembélé; Mertens, Mirallas, Januzaj.

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      1. Evs
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Balls !

        No KDB or Lukaka 😥

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  21. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    USA are better than England now.

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    1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      What do you mean now... They were better 4 years ago also

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

      They're a German B team anyway 😉

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

    I have Montarezi and ozil on 6 and 7

    should I take any out?

    I'm planning to play KdB and Lukaku but can also bring Vertonghen and Bentaleb for the above 2

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  23. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Shameless coca cola advertising on the Suarez article there

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  24. pundit of punts
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    How long till the lineups?

    I want to take a nap.

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

      1h

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

      12:30AM IST

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

      Come back after an hour. :p

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

    Kombarov in for Montazeri's 6 points?!

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    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      nah i think 6 is a nice base score

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

    ozil(7)>kombarov
    montazri(6)>vert
    kolasinac(7)>bentaleb/kdb if he starts?

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  27. Keno
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    How many points did Ronaldo and Lahm get in the McDonalds fantasy game?

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

      Ronaldo 11

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

    Suarez having to find a room in the favelas? 😆

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

      He's reported to have said that he thinks he can never go back to England

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

        i hope thats not the case, as much as he is a bit loco he can be great to watch

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  29. The Sarjeant
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Missed the whole second half, just trying to order a pizza!

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

      -_- how did that work out

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  30. Ospreylian
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Seriously guys, I'm top 10 in McD's and need any advice on Belgian side, Kombarov and Bentaleb?

    Gratefu lfor anything.

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

      You'll be lucky, the nine above you all post on here 🙂 Good luck though

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

      Belgium line-up up above, other 2 will probably start

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    3. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Belgium likely lineup above the other 2 I think will start

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    4. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Algeria lineup on next page

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