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. Gatsby
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    STICK on Benzema (4) or TWIST on Bentaleb?

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

      Twist

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

      TWIST

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  2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Where are the fecking line-ups???

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

      last page

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    2. Parm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Ander Herrera.

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    3. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Surely you know how to sort by sticky by now Doos!

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      1. Saint Domingo
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        @FIFAWorldCup:

        Belgium:
        Courtois, Vertonghen (c), Fellaini, Mirallas, Mertens, Van Buyten, Defour, Lombaerts, Dembele, Januzaj, Vanden Borre

        Korea:
        S G Kim, S Y Yun, Y G Kim, H M Son, Y Lee, J C Koo (c), K Y Han, S Y Ki, C Y Lee, S W Kim, J H Hong

        Russia:
        Akinfeev, Kozlov, Ignashevich, Glushakov, Kokorin, Kerzhakov, Berezutskiy (c), Shatov, Samedov, Fayzulin, Kombarov

        Algeria:
        Mbolhi, Belkalem, Halliche (c), Mesbah, Feghouli, Brahimi, Medjani, Slimani, Bentaleb, Djabou, Mandi

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      2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        No - I mean the official ones?

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        1. 4vets
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          The FIFA site....

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

          They are official now Doos

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    4. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Sticky.

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

    bentaleb or kokorin ?

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

      Kokorin

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

    Fred (C) 20pts ➡ Kokorin (C)? Not the most glamorous move is it 😀

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    1. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Stick. Don't be greedy 😛

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    2. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Too late for punts.

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

        This

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  5. Valar(Keith)
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Has Bentaleb been an attacking threat at all so far? or are we relying on RB's only?

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    1. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I'm thinking the latter. He plays CDM if I'm not mistaken

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      1. Valar(Keith)
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        i might as well play mesbah ahead of him then.. cheers

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

      Not even remotely close to being an attacking threat for them.

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

      In wc, just rbs
      But He scored in friendlies

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  6. @FPL_Salah
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Play bentaleb or mesbah?

    For macds game.

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  7. CunkOnFPL
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    In McD game, Pick 1 DF and 1 MF:

    A. Vertonghen
    B. KDB
    C. Kombarov
    D. Bentaleb

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  8. fitzy
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Mesbah Kokorin or Bentaleb? Got to be kokorin right? Could play all 3 removing 6 pointers.

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

    81 points with Mbolhi, Mesbah, Kombarov, Bentaleb and Kokorin to go 😀 dunno what I want from this match

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Points.

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

        Pints* 😉

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        1. Epic Fail
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Even better 😀

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

    OK. Bentaleb or KDB? 😕

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    1. 4vets
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      One starts, the other doesn't.

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    2. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Bent.

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

        Cheers, guys. Kombarov?

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

          Kombarov.

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        2. Epic Fail
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Kombarov > Bentaleb > KDB

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

            Thanks to all! 🙂

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    3. Jimbo123
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      The former

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

    With KDB, Alderweireld & Bougherra not playing... I'm left with the question should I switch out Montazeri's 6pts for a punt on Bentaleb?

    Doesn't quite seem worth it huh, for what will be 1-2pts gained at most...?

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    1. @FPL_Salah
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Stick. Bentaleb or mesbah!

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

        Mesbah

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

      If you're leading sit tight if chasing then twist to Bentaleb I guess.

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

      yeah, don't bother

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  12. dr manhattan
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    any news on Russian team?

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Yes.

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

        Shhh don't tell him too much!

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  13. BT31 - WE ARE ALL TINKERMEN…
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Neymar top goalscorer at 9/1

    Cashout now gives 14.46 profit, would be stupid to cash out just yet?

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  14. The Pep Revolution
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Would you switch Montazeri (6 points) to Bentaleb?

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Yes.

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

      I sometimes think I should ask questions simply like this, always seems to get more responses... 😀

      I have the same dilemma...

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      1. Epic Fail
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Yes.

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

          You're on a roll mate 😉

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          1. Epic Fail
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            😎

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

    @Doosra.

    My line ups are from FIFA's twitter.

    http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/comment/7482423

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

      Ta, mate. 🙂

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

        No problem.

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

    Lukaku, Hazard, or 5pts?

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      5

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  17. The 12th Man
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    final decision. Sanchez > Korokin or Djabou?

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

    May as well bring Bentaleb in for Benzema's 4 right?

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

      Yeah

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    2. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

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

    1. 4 & 5 ro Mesbah and Bentaleb ?

    2. And another 5 to Lukaku or KDB super-sub appearence ?

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

    4 pts or Belkalem???

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

    anyone having any bets on these games ?

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      A tenner on Russia for a quick double up.

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    2. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      got a punt on janujaz and mirallas both to score anytime at 16/1

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

        How did you get 16/1 for that? Its 16/5 for me

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

          its a double, he needs both to score

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

      Mirallas FGS e/w
      Mertens AGS

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

        not e/w actually

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

          liking Mertens ags. SW

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    4. Saint Domingo
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Russia to score a pen 20's

      Slimani to score a header 14's

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    5. ADucksBehind
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I think 2.5 goals Belgium Game

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

      cool. Cheers all. Just seen Mertens just over 3's ags, seems good value

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  22. dr manhattan
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    In iTeam, if you transfer out your captain you still bag his points, don't you?

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

    113 with 2 still to play... good?

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      No

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

    Algeria. My fate is in your hands.

    For the sake of left-wing Socialist Solidarity, deliver me from Purgatory!!! 😀

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

    In two games Bentaleb has scored 11pts..

    Therefore, anyone looking to twist on 6pts should stick...

    Any lower, then twist IMO...

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

      I have sweet FA in my midfield. 🙂

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    2. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      He's due a brace.

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  26. Chris77
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    What do you think. Medjani or Vertonghen.

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

      Vert.

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

    @wakey
    nice idea, i dont have a hair dryer with low settin unfortunately

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

      Anything with a low humming noise similar to how a car sounds or a hair dryer is worth a go. Theory is a noise that replicates the noise of being inside the womb...(awaits stupid jokes)

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

        yeh i play white noise on my mobile phone by his cot also have one of those ewan the sheep things that plays similar stuff

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

      Open the window slightly and stick a sheet up temporarily over the curtains

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  28. NED KELLY
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Who are the must haves in the last 16? In getting robben in

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Messi

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

        this ..... maybe neymar

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

      Germ, France.
      Robben, Muller, James.
      Messi, Benzema.

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  29. Wirtzle Gummidge
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    I have three Algerians playing tonight. Funny old game.

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  30. Buck The Trent
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Hi lads,

    Would you sub out Monty (6 pts) for Bentaleb?

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Yes.

      I wouldn't expect many more points, but it's more fun.

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

        why i'm stuck on bringing in my alergians for 6/7 pointers..

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

      no

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