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. Jack Frost
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Playing with our hair on fire... Yedlin

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

    I stuck a pound on vertongan fgs 28 to 1. If it goes to penalties and he takes and scores the first will my bet be valid?

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

      Really?!

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

      No.

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

        Hey Major, who've you got here - Van Buyten (c) ?

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

          Nah. kept it on Messi in the end. And I've got KDB.

          Took out 10 points. Currently 5 points up.

          Who have you got?

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

            I've got Van Buyten only, brought him in for a 6 pointer so I'm only 2 points up, guess I need KDB to get sent off giving away a penalty!

            As I've been typing this he's had two deliveries into the area, damn! 🙂

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

              Ha, weirdly enough you might have a better chance if this goes to extra time.

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

                Wish I'd twisted on Bedoya/Origi now - neither are ahead of the players I'd have taken out but at least I'd have possibilities then. Darn, good tie chap, have to hope there are miracles in the other ties 🙂

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

      he has 7 mins to score first or you won't win anything

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

    come on usa!

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

      They are awful!

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

        what are YOU watching?

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

    wow buyten nearly scored

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

      go van b

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  5. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    might cash out my draw bet, fancy a late goal

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    1. Lord Dragon
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      I had this and last game finishing on a draw, nearly there.

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

    Bring on Januzaj

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

    Ahahaha van Buyten is attacking...

    YASSS GET A GOAL SON CMON

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

    Van Buyten almost had a shot there and then a header 😀 😀

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  9. pompeyfan
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Didnt hear Danny Murphy criticize Mirallas' corners there, but he ripped into Mertens all night. He's all about PL players, so blinkered

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

      keown is worse. I don't think he's heard of anyone that hasn't played in PL

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

        Finally some criticism of Hazard!

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

    come on van beauty

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

    Howard had 20 points total after group stage
    Has 34 now
    so...this game 14 points already, apparently

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

    Howard, you beast!!

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

    Why does Vertonghen not go up for corners?

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

    this world cup has been about the keepers.. amazing stuff

    joe-give-me-the-f*cking-ball-hart could learn something here.. if he wasn't SO arrogant

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

    Origi again gives a point to Howard.
    I am sure it's a conspiracy by Origi , he has Howard in his team 🙁

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

    Damn, knew I shouldve gambled on switching the armband to Van Buyten

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  17. Sif
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Howard playing a blinder, also a great guest commentator.

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

    No Howard dont you dare try to beat Mbohli

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

      Not on points per million though

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

    This World cup top 3......

    Squads...
    1. Argentina
    2. Belgium
    3. Brazil

    Teams.....
    1. Chile
    2. Costa Rica
    3. U.S.A

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

      No Colombia in teams?

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

        Columbia is 4th in both

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

        Columbia have some great players too, I'm talking teams who are so much better than they should be

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

      Colombia should be 1. team

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

      I wouldn't put the Belgium squad anywhere near top3 .

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

        Ok, lacking up front due to no Benteke and crap Lukaku, but quality everywhere else

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

    Really want USA to win this. Can't stand the thought of watching this crap in a quarter final 😕

    At least USA have a plan, Belgium are just poison.

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

      Disagree.. Belgium are pretty nice to watch against teams that don't load up at the back.
      Not looking bad today..think they could do well vs Argentina.

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

      Belgium have been appalling all tournament

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

        It reminds me of watching England over the last 12 years.

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  21. FlyingHamster
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Either these players need to learn how to shoot, or the GKs in this tournament other than Akinfeev have been wicked.

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

    Chadli is dirt.. why does the manager like him?

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

    Gonzales and Beasler have been immense

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

      Beasley

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

        No Beasler, not Beasley

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

          You mean Besler?

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

            prboably

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

    yes corner,,,,,,,,,

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

    Omar Gonzalez has been fantastic

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

    more stoke play from usa lol

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

    Belgium stats:
    18 shots on target
    31 crosses
    13 corners

    US stat:
    11 saves

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

      What happened to the other 7 that were on target?

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

        Blocked or caught 😛

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

      😆

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

    DVB down to 8. How?

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

      One recovered balls taken out

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  29. Les Bleus
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Belgium have absolutely dominated this game.
    But USA will nick one in the last minutes

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

    USA are going to win this aren't they

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

      Nope

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

        Hazard to score the winner

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