634x258 Dugout Discussion
1 July 2014 3833 comments
Paul Paul
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We reach the final day of Matchday 4 this evening as the World Cup edges towards the quarter-final stages. Argentina and Switzerland go head-to-head in the early 5pm kick-off as Alejandro Sabella’s look to maintain their 100% record so far, while Lionel Messi’s Fantasy owners will be optimistic of picking up the points in a round which has seen the likes of Neymar, Robin Van Persie and Karim Benzema fail to score over the previous three evenings:

Argentina: Romero; Zabaleta, Fernandez, Garay, Rojo; Gago, Mascherano, Di Maria; Messi, Higuain, Lavezzi

Switzerland: Benaglio; Lichtsteiner, Djourou, Schar, Rodriguez; Inler, Behrami; Xhaka, Shaqiri Mehmedi; Drmic

Argentina make just one enforced change from the side that saw off Nigeria last time around, with Ezequiel Lavezzi replacing the injured Sergio Aguero in the front three. Having scored four of his side’s six goals, Messi is the standout option for the South Americans, with the likes of Gonzalo Higuain and Angel di Maria yet to pick up any returns whatsoever over their first three matches.

Switzerland, unsurprisingly, are changed from the XI that swept aside Honduras in the final group match. Fabian Schar continues in central defence, then, with Ricardo Rodriguez owners looking for further attacking returns from the raiding left-back, who already has a couple of assists to his name. Further up the field, Xherdan Shaqiri is the form player, having bagged a hat-trick against the Hondurans, while Josip Drmic also arrives on the back of a decent display which served up a pair of assists in the 3-0 win.

Later in the evening, Belgium seek to extend a record which has seen them win every match in the tournament. Marc Wilmots made a number of changes for the final group game against South Korea and Fantasy favourites such as Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne are expected to return to the starting XI against the USA. Divock Origi may fancy his chances of a start up front after another impressive display off the bench last time around, whilst at the back, the Belgians will be desperate for Vincent Kompany to recover in time for tonight’s clash as they look to maintain a series of defensive displays which has seen them concede just a single spot-kick so far.

After beating Ghana and drawing with Portugal, Jurgen Klinsmann’s side tasted defeat in their final group game against Germany. The USA will be looking to bounce back immediately and Clint Dempsey, with a goal in each of his first two appearances, is the main threat for the underdogs, though Graham Zusi, with two assists to his name, and Jermaine Jones, with a goal and assist to date, could be key to Klinsmann’s chances of springing an upset.

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  1. tm245
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Finally some action.

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    1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Disgusting. Just watch the football please.

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      1. Arvin-ation
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        😆

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  2. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Should have been a Shaqiri assist there really

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    1. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      yeah

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  3. GunsnRoses
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    That corner should get at least 2 points.

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  4. Epic Fail
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    JRod, please forgive me for I have sinned.

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    1. crystalpalaceRus
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Very bad.

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    2. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      you made Messi captain didn't you?

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    3. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Van Buyten will save us

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      1. Epic Fail
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        He bloody better do.

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  5. ryaninorbit
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Gustavo (6) > Jones? I doubt Jones will score again, but he does seem to be involved with a lot of the play?

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    1. Fresco
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      if he starts, go for it

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      1. ryaninorbit
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Ah fair enough, I had assumed he was nailed on - will wait for official lineups. Thanks!

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        1. Fresco
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          he probably is but no need to risk it in the last game

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        2. thermogimp
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          He is on a yellow, so they may rest him. I doubt it, but you never know.

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  6. Billy Gilmore
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Had to score there....

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  7. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    What the hell was that. Appalling finish.

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  8. Chu Young Ping Pong
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    FKING IIDIOT

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    1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Bit harsh on your dad for falling for your mum

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  9. Konig Luther
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    romero awesome keeper .... NO

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  10. GunsnRoses
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Romero is awful. He should have charged out there

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  11. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Are the Argentinians playing shite this WC so that they can say Messi won it for them just like Maradona.... Poor showing so far from them

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  12. ZE GERMANS
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    if USA win today..penguins in antarctica will know.

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    1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Eh?

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      1. ZE GERMANS
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        I'm in the states and they won't shut up about winning the whole thing

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        1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Dillusional

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          1. Alan The Llama
            • 16 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

            *Delusional

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            1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
              • 14 Years
              11 years, 7 months ago

              🙂

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

    Dumb and dumber there.

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

    He Welbeck v Bayern'd it

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  15. Epic Fail
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Romero knew what he was doing. Was in the perfect position for that shot. 😉

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  16. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Did Lawro just say "put a skirt on"?

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  17. GunsnRoses
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    De Maria shot on target B-)

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  18. Hamstergod
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Wish I didn't sell Schaar, Rodriguez is already on 6, unlike Rojo on 2.

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  19. King Nil Miss ✩
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Xhaka doesn´t end this game...

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      I don't get it?

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      1. Billy Gilmore
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        He's Swiss cheering on his team>

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        1. Epic Fail
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          So there's nothing to get? It's just someone wanting their team to win?

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  20. ZE GERMANS
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    good ol albiceleste, waiting for messi to save the day.

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  21. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    So, who doubted my bet on Switzerland?

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    1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      But but but.... There's 45 to go

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  22. ragnar
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Hi,

    can someone please link me the documents where you can see all the points that players has scored in the r16? thank you very much!

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  23. The Sarjeant
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Brazil need to hire new ball boys. Constantly 2 balls on the pitch.

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      I think Joe Hart scared them off 🙂

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  24. VougieDipond
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    borefest.

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  25. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Is anybody still awake?

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    1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Wakey wakey, Akbar wakey

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    2. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Seeing as it's 2:17am I'm struggling...

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    3. The Pep Revolution
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      I saw earlier that you were considering changing your captain to messi. Did you go through with it?

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  26. Captain Shirokov
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    The Matarix

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    1. King Nil Miss ✩
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      ReFLOaded

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  27. applebonkers
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    this game needs more senderos

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  28. ZE GERMANS
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    if hanibal suarez is still a pool player by august, how much will he cost on FPL?

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    1. King Nil Miss ✩
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      FAQ

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      1. ZE GERMANS
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        they should do a suarez and bite off the price

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    2. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      A pretty penny.

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    3. Fresco
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      a significant chunk

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      1. ZE GERMANS
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        well said..might have to cut down on my spending then

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