Here’s a review of Day 5 which involved Germany v Portugal, Iran v Nigeria and USA v Ghana. As usual we’ll look at lineups, key player performance, match comments and Sun Dream Team scoring. We’ll also preview the key players for Day 6 which consists of Belguim v Algeria, Brazil v Mexico and Russia v South Korea
World Cup fantasy football 2014 tips – Day 5 review Day 6 preview
Germany 4 Portugal 0
Goals: Muller 3 Hummells Assists: Gotze Kroos 2 Schurrle
Lineups:
Germany (4-3-3): Neuer, Höwedes, Hummels (Mustafi 73’), Mertesacker, Boateng, Lahm, Kroos, Khedira, Götze, Ozil (Shürrle 63′), Müller (Podolski ’82).
Portugal (4-3-3): Patricio , Coentrão (A. Almeida 65′), Alves, Pepe (Red Card 37’), Pereira, Moutinho, Meireles, Veloso (Costa 45′), Ronaldo, Nani, H. Almeida (Eder 28′)
Lineup comment
Germany: Gotze started but Muller played as the central striker. Lahm played in midfield but Howeda was the FB instead of Durm. Otherwise as expected.
Portugal: Nani started instead of Varela and Almedia started instead of Postiga although in the end Elder was the sub. Otherwise as expected. Note Coentrao and Almedia went off injured and Pepe will be banned for 2 games in the sending off
Match comment:
A game that Germany dominated in every way. Their attack was excellent and their defence coped well with Ronaldo, Almedia and Nani. The game was lost before the sending off of Pepe but after that it went from bad to worse for Portugal.
Player comment:
Muller
Played in the central striker position instead of Gotze and showed his real knack of turning up in the right place and the right time. Interestingly took the penalty instead of Ozil. The Arsenal miss against Bayern Munich may have played a part in this. With the easier fixtures coming up against Ghana and USA then he looks a good transfer if you don’t have him.
Ozil
Played a lot better than I’ve seen him in the latter parts of the Arsenal season. However price wise in Sun Dream Team, TFF and Fox he isn’t good value compared to Muller
The Germany defence
Had some hiccups in qualifying but was surprisingly excellent in containing Ronaldo and supporting cast. A good bet with Ghana and USA next. The options are price sensitive but Mertesacker is still my ideal option.
Ronaldo
Only his second start since the Champions League final against a quality team so difficult to be too hard on him but didn’t have his best game by any stretch. The opposition does get easier and lets not forget his quality and high ownership which still may come back to bite you
Sun Dream Team scoring
Germany: Everyone got at least a 7 except Mertesacker and Ozil. Incredibly Kroos got the Star Man award rather than Muller.
Portugal: No one got a 7 for Portugal.
Iran 0 Nigeria 0
Lineups: (ratings from the Daily Mail)
Iran: Haghighi 6.5; Hosseini 5.5, Montazeri 6, Sadeghi 6.5, Pooladi 7; Nekounam 7.5; Heydari 6.5 (Shojaei 89), Timotian 6.5, Haji Safi 6.5, Dejagah 7 (Bakhash 6.5); Ghoochannejad 7.
Subs not used: Alenemeh, Beikzadeh, Davari, Beitashour, Hadadifar, Mahini, Rahmani, Ansari, Ahmadi, Jahanbakhsh.
Booked: Teymourian.
Nigeria: Enyeama 6.5; Ambrose 5.5, Oshaniwa 6, Oboabona 5.5 (Yobo 29, 6), Omeruo 6; Onazi 5.5, Azeez 5 (Odemwingie 69, 6.5), Mikel 5.5; Moses 4.5 (Ameobi 52, 6.5), Emenike 5.5, Musa 7.
Subs not used: Ejide, Uchebo, Nwofor, Agbim, Egwuek, Gabriel, Uzoenyi, Odunlam, Babatun.
Lineup comments:
Iran: Certainly a fairly different team than I expected although the main attacking players in Nekounam, Dejagh and Ghoochannejad all started
Nigeria: Oshaniwa started instead of Elderson. Musa started instead of Odemeingie. Interestingly Moses made an early exit after being subbed.
Match comments:
A fairly scrappy game with few chances and what must have been a low pass completion rate. Iran looked to sit deep and counter and Nigeria never had the tempo or incisive passing needed to break them down.
Player comments:
Dejagh
Cheap option but couldn’t make an impression. 2 hard games now.
Emineke
Good value with a reasonable international and qualifying record but had a poor game. Again now faces 2 hard games.
Moses
Subbed off early and was poor after a good start. Same comments about game difficulty apply.
Sun Dream Team scoring:
Iran: GK Haghigi and Dejagh got 7 with Ghoochannejad the Star Man
Nigeria: The GK Enyeama was the only player to get a 7. That was a fair representation for me.
Ghana 1 USA 2
Goals: Brooks Dempsey/ A Ayew Assists: Jones Zusi/ Gyan
Lineups:
Ghana (4-2-3-1): Kwarasey, Boye, Mensah, Opare, Asamoah, Rabiu (Essien 71′), Muntari, Atsu (Adomah 78′), A.Ayew, J.Ayew (Boateng 59′), Gyan
USA (4-1-2-1-2): Howard, Cameron, Besler (Brooks 45′), Johnson, Beasley, Beckerman, Bedoya (Zusi 77′), Jones, Bradley, Dempsey, Altidore (Johansson 23′)
Lineup comments:
Ghana: A few differences than I thought. Kwarasey was fit to start.
USA: Beckerman started instead of Zusi. Otherwise as expected
Match and player comments:
I haven’t seen this game so can’t give you the information.
Sun Dream Team scoring:
Ghana: Only Muntari got a 7.
USA: Dempsey got the Star Man award. Howard, Beasley, Jones and Bradley got 7’s
Key Players for Day 6
Belgium v Algeria
Lukaku
International record is a bit patchy as is his Everton record against the easier teams but has to be a good bet here against Algeria
Hazard
Like Lukaku his International and qualifying record could be better but great season for Chelsea. Should have pens.
De Bruyne
Great qualifying record. A cheaper option than Hazard
The Belgian defence
A reasonable clean sheet chance here. Kompany, Vermaelen and Vertonghen are all good attacking options. Kompany and Vertonghen should be safe bets to start. Check on Vermaelen
Russia v South Korea
Kerzhakov/Kokorin
Check the line ups although Kokorin should start. Both are good options against the South Korean defence. Now is the time to get on board though as this is the easiest game in the Group
Faizulin
My choice as the attacking midfield option.
The Russian Defence
If your format includes Zhirkov as a defensive player then you have a very good attacking midfield option as a defender. Otherwise choose the cheapest of Berezutski and Ignashevich as the best attacking options.
Brazil v Mexico
Brazil didn’t perform particularly well against Croatia but hard to see anything other than a victory against Mexico
Neymar
Has pens and direct free kicks. After 2 goals against Croatia his confidence will be sky high especially if he is positioned as centrally as the Croatia game
Fred
More of a target man than a goal scorer but still excellent International record and the very nature of his position should see chances.
Oscar
Was excellent against Croatia but surprisingly on the right wing. May make him more of an assist target than a goal scorer is the only issue here depending on your format.
The Brazil defence
Didn’t inspire confidence at all against a Croatian team without Mandzukic but are still a good chance of a clean sheet here. Attacking threats everywhere. Alves is probably my top choice but depends on cost.
Thats it. Good luck for day 6.
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World Cup fantasy football 2014 tips
World Cup fantasy football 2014 tips
