634x258 Dugout Discussion
26 June 2014 3877 comments
Paul Paul
Share:

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.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

  1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    25 points from that game subject to change. Happy with that

    Open Controls
  2. potatoace
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    so ,5 Algerians it is then.

    Open Controls
    1. Amateur Pundit Zan
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      I forgot we could have 5. I was mentally accounting whether to trade me snag for a striker. Now I can have them all 🙂

      Open Controls
  3. VougieDipond
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    transfer window opens in the morning. Not much work getting done tomorrow then.

    Open Controls
    1. elkunaguero
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      other than Ramos out and a few Algerians in for Honduras players, I'm keen to stick with my current team

      Open Controls
  4. Maddocio
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Dinosaur Capello out what a shame

    Open Controls
  5. Amateur Pundit Zan
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    So you can buy to host the world cup but you can't buy your way into the second round
    Bye bye Russia

    Open Controls
  6. Why Always Me
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    139 this round, good?

    Open Controls
    1. SW6
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Shite 😉

      Open Controls
    2. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      No

      Open Controls
    3. Zep
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      I told you earlier in the week you'd end up getting a great score... and you did...

      Open Controls
      1. Why Always Me
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        lol i was 1 off what you said 🙂

        Open Controls
        1. Zep
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Haha

          Open Controls
    4. VougieDipond
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      140 is better

      Open Controls
  7. SW6
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Mesbah up to 4 😐

    Open Controls
  8. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Capello hurrying off to the fancy dress party. Hope he remembered his Super Mario hat

    Open Controls
  9. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    122 points all out.

    Open Controls
    1. Hamstergod
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      118 here

      Open Controls
    2. Pinky and Brain
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      123

      Open Controls
    3. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      ditto

      Open Controls
      1. Maddocio
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Snap 123 for me too, think I've list H2H though

        Open Controls
    4. Blue Lion
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      120

      Open Controls
    5. Zep
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      121 here

      Open Controls
    6. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      114 here 🙁

      Open Controls
    7. SW6
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      132

      Open Controls
      1. Bubz
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        You're a machine

        Open Controls
    8. Declan
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      119 here

      Open Controls
    9. Zombie
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      133

      Open Controls
    10. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      132

      Open Controls
    11. Konig Luther
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      125 and lost my FFSWC match

      Open Controls
      1. Bubz
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Yuck

        Open Controls
    12. GK
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      133

      Open Controls
    13. Optimus.
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      128

      Open Controls
    14. Werkself
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      135

      Open Controls
  10. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    My big regret is having Zemmamouche instead of MBohli that will be put right in the knockout rounds

    Open Controls
    1. Shels
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      same -_- i wda kept karnezis and dauda for two of the matches anyway tough

      Open Controls
      1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Wish I put more thought into my picks rushed a team together last 15mins wasn't going to bother, picked the wrong Iran cheapies and Algeria keeper and Durm. Will spend more time on it for the knockout rounds

        Open Controls
  11. The Missing Link
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Nigeria seemed to have pulled off a minor miracle to win the tie vs Argentina 3-2. All unoffical at the moment more to follow...

    Open Controls
  12. Heydudes13
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    We get to keep our Algerians for a bit longer. 😀

    Open Controls
    1. elkunaguero
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      excellent...

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

    Let's just have one big

    #IFALGERIA

    Open Controls
  14. Heydudes13
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    140 points this week good?

    Open Controls
    1. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Gash

      Open Controls
    2. pundit of punts
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      😯

      Open Controls
  15. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    116, I'll take it 😀 lot more than I was expecting tonight

    Open Controls
  16. Gubbins94.
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Delighted for Algeria. Massively under rated. Had them at 10/1 to finish behind Belgium.

    Open Controls
  17. Shels
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    6 put for kombarov 8, kept pogba and benteleb got 8 so mheff!!

    russia need to sack capello

    Open Controls
  18. Shels
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    123 points for me this time round

    Open Controls
  19. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Kombarov my only player not going thru on FOX game
    And I get unlimited transfers duh smacks head

    Keep DiMaria because hes class and bound to come thru or bottle the bitch

    Open Controls
  20. Buck The Trent
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Belgium CS points for defender added yet?

    Open Controls
    1. elkunaguero
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      yep, Vertonghen on 15 points!

      Open Controls
  21. Zep
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    111pts in Fox 😯

    Open Controls
    1. Konig Luther
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      i did Vertonghen out > Aurier In in Fox.... 🙁 just 79

      Open Controls
    2. Blue Lion
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      wow!!way to go zep!

      Open Controls
      1. Blue Lion
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        i could reach only reach 98..dammit ..wish i had Shaqiri!

        Open Controls
  22. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    102 for the round 🙁

    Open Controls
  23. pundit of punts
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    McD points check.

    120 for me.

    Open Controls
    1. Declan
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      119

      Open Controls
    2. bunnyrampage
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Same. 120.

      Open Controls
    3. Stat virgin
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      No players below 8 for me! 136

      Open Controls
      1. Gnu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        You only sing when your winning, you only sin....... 🙂

        Open Controls
        1. Stat virgin
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Wanted no players below 6 in FPL for ages, this will have to do

          Open Controls
    4. Heydudes13
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      140. True captain score when it was needed most. If we don't get through with that...

      Open Controls
    5. Buck The Trent
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      136

      Open Controls
    6. Amateur Pundit Zan
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      130, my squad starting to gel just before I rip it up and start again 🙂

      Open Controls
  24. GoonerByron
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Which one of these would you pick for The Sun game? (No assists)

    A - Dempsey
    B - Cuardardo
    C - Shaqiri
    D - Mertens

    Open Controls
    1. FortunesAlwaysHiding
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      B

      Open Controls
    2. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Cuadrado (penos) 😉

      Open Controls
      1. Konig Luther
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        because J(R)ames was out

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

    What are we supposed to do tomorrow?

    Open Controls
    1. Parm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Celebrate the Luke Shaw signing.

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

        good call

        Open Controls
    2. Zombie
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      I am gonna sleep properly after 2 weeks

      Open Controls
    3. Amateur Pundit Zan
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Sleep and catch up on laundry 🙂

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

      RMT

      Open Controls
  26. Epic Fail
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    150 with 4 still to play. Any good?

    Open Controls
    1. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Id stick

      Open Controls
  27. FortunesAlwaysHiding
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Go with Karnezis or Navas as a GK pick in Fox?

    Open Controls
  28. thermogimp
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    142 this week. Shaqiri killed it for me. Too bad I only had 96 last week.

    Open Controls
  29. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Not having JRod in fantasy has been my biggest mistake.

    Open Controls
    1. Parm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Having him has been my biggest success!

      Open Controls
  30. GlasgowFF
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Who are the must haves for the quarters?

    Open Controls
    1. SW6
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Messi Neymar JRod the only must haves imo.

      Open Controls
      1. GREENDREAMS11
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        are you still no.1 SW ?

        Open Controls
    2. GREENDREAMS11
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      pounder & pounder with cheese. 😉

      Open Controls