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. Gimli son of Gloin
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    How is De Brunye a guaranteed starter?
    He's looked pretty average for an attacking player.

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    1. Pilleri
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      I could ask the same about Pogba

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      1. Pilleri
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        ...and Di Maria and Özil.

        They play a central role in the offense, but good opponents make them blank out on the field.

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      2. MJ6987
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Not really

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  2. potatoace
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    KDB check?

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  3. Louis
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    How is Vertonghen so attacking?! Never seen him play like that!

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

      you must have missed his first season at Spurs

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

      CB normally, LB in national team?

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

    De Bruyne is just as selfish as Robben, albeit without the talent of Robben :/

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Yeah, a one-two with Mirallas, the goal that will never happen 🙂

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  5. chrisjdgrady
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Howards gonna be on a load of points

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

      If US get through he or Navas will be my GK in next round

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

    Up to 7 points DVB

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  7. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    this is how i played footie at school.........everyone runnin after the ball at once

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

    Anyone have any US defenders? How many points are they on?

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

      Besler 4, I think Omar Gonzalez could be on some nice points

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

        yeah, he looks great

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

    Neymar to Origi. Fail 🙁

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    1. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      He's still on isn't he?

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

        Yeah, just trying to jinx/anti-jinx , whatever.

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        1. MJ6987
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          😆 almost worked!

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

      I think I'd sooner have 20 mins of him than 90 of some others..Looking lively.

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  10. Declan
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Hazard 4pts 🙄

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

    Buyten on 7pts...don't get booked..don't get booked...don't get booked...

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  12. The Hound
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Still slightly bitter about the hummels no show. He was expensive!!

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  13. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Vertonghen should be more reasonably priced this year. Unless he moves

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  14. iCon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Mmmmmm, brown hula hoops! Who's with me?

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    1. Proggy
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      I'm with you all day long! 🙂

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

    Wondy coming on

    Hoping it's Zusi off.

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

      has to be he's hopeless

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

        Yes

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

    Origi again denied by Howard 🙁 🙁

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  17. MJ6987
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Belgium need to get the Big Man on

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  18. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Mertens you cretin 😡

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    1. iCon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      My Dads favourite word! 😀

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      1. Bøwstring The Carp
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        No, Icon, I am your father....

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        1. iCon
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Cretin; as my father would say!

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  19. PGR
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Alditore to come on and grab the winner!

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    1. Pilleri
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Thigh injury looked serious, I doubt it

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

    Zusi has the worst haircut in this match ?

    Wondolowski coming on ...

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  21. Zep
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    What points did Mertens finish on?

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

      *wishes for someone to say 2*

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      1. Louis
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        2 🙁

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

          Really though?

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          1. Bøwstring The Carp
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

            Yup 🙁

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

              Awesome....

              CMON DANIEL VAN BUYTEN!!!!

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              1. iCon
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 15 Years
                11 years, 7 months ago

                Think we all have him though 😐

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

            Zep, are you Higher Ground in FOX?

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

              Yes, you're doing very well...

              You're the one winning my DZ league...

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        2. Zep
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Don't worry mate, you've already won your H2H...

          This is for Team Brazil...

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          1. iCon
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

            How's the tie lookin?

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  22. MJ6987
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Dempsey! You are allowed to pass!!

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

    Come on USMNT get the winner. 1-0 would surely be a great score for non-Belgian player owners

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

    Was 300th earlier, now 1000th

    A lot of Messi(c) I guess?

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

    Klaxon wanted to call the Captain selfish, then thought better of it 😆

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  26. RÏɠBY
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    is lukaku injured?

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    1. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Don't think so

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

      Might as well be 😉

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  27. Heydudes13
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Geoff Cameron is on 13 points apparently. 😯

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

    Come on Ban Buyten..get some balls recovered.

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    1. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Id like to ban Buyten

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    2. iCon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      BSs please!

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  29. Tony Warner Fan Club
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Belgium V Tim Howard

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

    Howards such a good keeper

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    1. djenzio
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      ball hit right at him

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