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. Gubbins94.
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    No surprise it's Alderwereild who lost his man

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

    beautifulll

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

    Noooooooo

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

    Thought that was in...

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

    USA USA USA

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  6. Atwood
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    How many is Van Buyten on?

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    1. Marouane Fellatio
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      11

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

    If yanks win this I will laugh quite hard

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  8. DonTheSpecialOne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    What a game

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

    jones looks good

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

      You cannot be serious.

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

    Wow I was so sure that was going in

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  11. Tomlette Greggs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Fellaini has 0 interceptions, 0 successful tackles, and has committed 7 fouls.

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    1. Captain Berbarossa - arrrrr…
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Bloody useless is the term

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

      Sounds about right for him

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

      Felolaini

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  12. Captain Berbarossa - arrrrr…
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    US have heart. Gotta give them that

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

    Klinsmann will be fully vindicated now for taking Green & Yedlin to the World Cup and leaving LD behind...

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    1. jj4eva186
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Don't think that makes sense, he shouldv'e bought Donovan instead of Wondolowski...

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

    14 - Tim Howard has now made more saves in a single game than any other player in World Cup history (1966-2014). Barrier. #BELUSA

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

      15* 😉

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

      He's probably got more than 14 now.

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

      And another

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

    Howard stop man!

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

    Howard!!1

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  17. Werkself
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    16 saves

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    1. 4vets
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      211, at least.

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

    Haz off :S

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

    Brave move taking Hazard off, if this goes to penalties they're a man down

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

    Chadli on that's worse than a man down

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

      Especially with Fellani still on...

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

      lol thats what i was thinking

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

    17th BEL corner?

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

      18th

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

        Should have produced more results from that many, honestly

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

    Come on USA! 🙂

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  23. bazrah99
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    The pace of this second half/extra time will really go against the winner against Argentina.

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

    Chadli on, Belgium playing for the draw

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

    Oh my Godddddd that free-kick

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

    Amazing FK!

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

    Best free kick ever!!

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

    OMG

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

    oh ma gad

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

    OMFFFFG

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