Fantasy World Cup Live Match Chat Last 16
Welcome to the last 16 of the World cup – or the round of 16 as some choose to call it, or the first knockout stage. In fact, call it what you want – either way, it’s sudden death time – lose and you go home, outta here, offski and this will likely mean that your coach resigns or gets the chop or in England’s case receives a pat on the back and a “bad luck old chap”.
Saturday sees four South American countries battling it out for the first two quarter-final spots. Sounds like a proper excuse for a turf war to me. Brazil take on Chile, their South American rabbits, or chinchillas, if you prefer. The home crowd will be baying for more Neymar magic – good luck to them, personally watching Fred and the Incredible Hulk has been far more entertaining for me.
Next up sees Mito’s heroes Colombia aim to come through bite-free, alive and victorious against everyone’s new favourite enemies, Uruguay. That’s unless you’re from Uruguay or Liverpool, of course.
Sunday sees LVG’s Netherlands take on the bandits of Mexico in a clash which sees the great entertainers try to prise through a stubborn and tight defence. The late game is your chance to surprise your partner – turn off the telly and make their day with the comment, “i think i need a break from the World Cup darling, let’s go out for a drink” – little will they realise that Costa Rica vs Greece is about to start, you’ve chucked in your cheap defenders on the off chance for a clean sheet and the brownie points are banked for the week’s more exciting matches.
Monday is Europe vs Africa day. France vs Nigeria get’s us going – hopefully goals is the order of the day and a game akin to Nigeria’s 3-2 loss to Argentina will do very nicely, thanks lads. The evening gives us another viewing of ze Germans as zey take on ze plucky, mucky, lucky (delete as per your personal preference) Algerians. Both European sides will be favourites to go through, but it’s been a World Cup of surprises thus far so mustn’t count our chickens quite yet.
The final day of the round sees the Argies back on display as they attempt to neutralise the Swiss – that shouldn’t be tricky. However, with the likes of di Maria and Higuain quiet so far and Aguero injured (obviously), it’s been down to little Leo to carry the Argies through the group. Easy then, mark Messi out the game and you’ll be fine – how many times have we heard that before?! Switzerland’s only chance of course is if Shaqiri turns on the style and his hat-trick vs Honduras will leave him feeling on top of his game.
The round is concluded as Belgium take on the US of A. Could be a tough one to call this as Belgium have hardly set the tournament on fire as yet, while the Yanks have surprised many with their courage and adventure. Klinsmann of course, has been here before and knows what it takes to get through this stage of the tournament and there’ll surely be cries of “Mashed potato” and “You’re the man” if awesome talisman Dempsey can lead America through to the quarters, or quarter finals, or last 8, or the round of 8…..we’ve gone full circle here.
Enjoy, select your squad’s wisely and good luck.
If I downgrade Boateng to Manolas I can upgrade Herrera to Shaqiri. I can also bring in Gustavo for Fernandinho, but I’m not too sure about that as I expect Fernandinho to contribute more offensively. Thoughts?
Shaqiri wouldn’t be getting much attention if it wasn’t for his hatrick….? He didn’t contribute a great deal in the preceding two games. Just my 2 cents
Guess that’s true.
Any interest in the Chilean midfield? Getting cold feet with Di Maria, who won’t go in until the last round of subs anyway. I also like the Fernandinho mini-bandwagon… Anyone else gone for Herrera of Mexico? Nice little score so far in a tough group, could do well against the Dutch midfield
Pips, i’ve got Herrera, also thought he did well in a tough group, got Lahm aswell, but don’t really like anybody else for 7mill.
Yeah, I have no Germans except Mueller. Maybe I should just grab Lahm and stop worrying. He’s a solid if unexplosive choice I feel
Pips, who are your keepers ?
Cillessen and I tossed Karnezis for Mholbi. Zemmemouche doesn’t play but is my 3rd. The former for a clean sheet, the latter for save points. I don’t want to spend much money on a keeper, which limits me 😉
Agree, gone Cillessen, Karnezis + Mbolhi.
Marquez or Boateng? (I have Hummels)
Tekno- not convinced by either for a CS and haven’t seen enough of Marquez to comment on his offensive potential. Boateng likes to get forward though and has an easier fixture. Don’t rely on me though!!
Pip
Marquez is a threat on set pieces and racks up defensive points – he’s got 39 points, the second highest coring player in MaccyD’s! Went for him as that allowed me to have Slimani as my back-up striker.
Ok, Fernandinho and Hummels in for Lahm and Van Buyten, and I’ve finally spent all my cash. Captaining Neymar.
Stoked for this game! Good luck to all !
Well then, here is my final McD team.
Cillesen – (Karnezis – MBohli)
Blind – Cholevas – Duarte – (Rojo – Hummels – VBuyten – Bouguerra)
J Rod – Herrera – Tejeda – Gustavo – (Valbuena – Maniatis – Bentaleb – *Filler*)
Mueller – Neymar (C) – Campbell – (Messi – DJabou)
Midfield seems like a bit of a concern. Any last minute advices or thoughts would be appreciated.
0M itb.
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Very similar to my midfield, though I have Cuadrado in for Maniatis. I think you’re all set!
My team, btw:
Cillesen – (MBohli – filler)
Blind – Manolas – Gamboa – (Rojo – Hummels – Belkalem – filler)
J Rod – Herrera – Tejeda – Fernandinho – (Valbuena – Cuadrado – Bentaleb – *Filler*)
Mueller – Neymar (C) – Benzema – (Messi – filler)