634x258 Dugout Discussion
1 July 2014 3833 comments
Paul Paul
Share:

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.

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

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

    Brad Friedel has a great voice but I was captivated by this lovely Irish voice on Talk Sport recently, googled her as soon as I got to work. Lovely 🙂

    https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vIwxGRRGMoM/Ui5P_qTzC7I/AAAAAAAAAGQ/T3H2W3jukMg/w404-h405-no/suzanne+n+me.jpg

    Open Controls
  2. Sif
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Too late for this 🙁

    There once was a man call Tim Howard
    Who kept in a major world power.
    He block all the Flemish, without any blemish.
    Like their chocolates the shots he devoured.

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

      This guy, have another +1 good sir!

      Open Controls
    2. chrisjdgrady
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      lol still beautiful

      Open Controls
    3. Sif
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      *blocked.
      dammit.

      Open Controls
  3. puddingbrood
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    KDB points?

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

      Yep.

      Open Controls
      1. puddingbrood
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        I mean how much :p

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

          Still on 6 + the goal.

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

    Welp. 27 minutes praying for an Alderweireld CS will be as fun as ever...

    Open Controls
    1. Werkself
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      How's it going Tony?

      Open Controls
  5. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    This round was going so well up until this game 😕

    Factor 50 ruining it 🙁

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

    bum....... suppose it was inevitable

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

    bollix 🙁

    Open Controls
  8. FlyingHamster
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    To be fair, KdB had taken so many shots I am surprised it took him that long...He had the most shot out of all the Belgian players.

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

      true...he was very hyped all pre world cup and has been poor

      Open Controls
  9. chrisjdgrady
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    this round dropped ADM, Ozil, and KDB. All three scored loll

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

      There's a lesson there somewhere!

      Open Controls
    2. Woy of the Wovers
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Better out than in.

      Open Controls
  10. Pilleri
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    wtf vertonghen

    Open Controls
  11. crystalpalaceRus
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Vertonghan ballsed that up

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

    Origi must be gutted. Back to the bench for him next game.

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

      Yup

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

    C'mon Belgium! Keep that clean sheet!!

    Open Controls
    1. Woy of the Wovers
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      No chance. This game has 4-3 written all over it.

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

    Lukaku has a point to prove.

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

      I swear I said that before Lawro said that!!

      Open Controls
      1. Woy of the Wovers
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        It's embarrassing either way.

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

          🙁

          Open Controls
  15. PGR
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Lukaku an option again for next round?

    Open Controls
  16. Marouane Fellatio
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Come on VB, just 8 more points then I'll break 140.

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

    Is this Lukaku's twin brother i!!

    Open Controls
  18. Fray Bentos
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    First shot lukaku!!!!!!!!!

    Open Controls
  19. Pilleri
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Lukaku great sub, USA team is exhausted

    Open Controls
  20. djenzio
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    clean sheet please.....

    Open Controls
    1. Woy of the Wovers
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Wash your own.

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

    Please do something stupid and get sent off De Bruyne

    Open Controls
  22. GreenWindmill
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Just need KDB to give away 9 fouls, 3 penalties and a couple of red cards and I'm back in my game against MajorFail 😎

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

      😀 Couldn't be going any worse for you right now. Unlucky.

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

        Good tussle regardless, nice score you're ending up on. I think Joga had KDB so unless Bonz had him too it might still work out ok for Costa Rica (the maths is beyond me!) 🙂

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

          Yeah you lot might still take it. Either way it's been a brilliant tie.
          I don't know how I managed such a strong score. I've made so many mistakes this round.

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

            Yep, been ridiculously close the whole way through the match up, two good teams I guess.

            I suppose that's the beauty of this format - you can take punts/balls up plenty of decisions and still come out of it well. You obviously made enough good decisions to outweigh any mistakes.

            Open Controls
    2. Declan
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      9 fouls may be a step too far.

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

        Too greedy? There's one! 😉

        Open Controls
    3. GTS
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      There's a glimpse of hope, eh? 😀

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

          Husband? Wait a minute, what was all that "one in a a million" talk?

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

      😆

      Open Controls
    5. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      He could easily get sent off twice I suppose

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

        😉

        Probably need a third red card now he has an assist.

        Open Controls
        1. Les Bleus
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          😀

          Open Controls
  23. Blue Lion
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Hoe much is Howard on atm?

    Open Controls
    1. Declan
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      5 🙁

      Open Controls
      1. Declan
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        😳 thought it said Hazard

        Open Controls
  24. Werkself
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Howard on 14 saves.

    Open Controls
    1. chrisjdgrady
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      incredible

      Open Controls
  25. funny money
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    i had kdb but had 1m spare in bank i couldn't spend elsewhere so upgraded to gustavo - FAIL

    Open Controls
    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Was/is a good choice.

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

    SEND HIM OFF!!!

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

    Very sporting of KDB...

    Open Controls
  28. VougieDipond
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    The underdog has to win one of these. Belgians lack of experience will see them getting more nervous

    Open Controls
  29. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    lukaku proving the point that he only looks good when he has space.

    origi looks much better in tight spaces

    Open Controls
  30. Werkself
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    15 saves

    Open Controls