Here’s our review of Day 14 which consisted of Nigeria v Argentina, Bosnia v Iran, Ecuador v France and Honduras v Switzerland. We’ll look at lineups, key player performance, match review and Sun Dream Team scoring. We won’t be reviewing those sides that are out of the competition. We’ll also preview Day 15 concentrating on key options to bring in which involve Portugal v Ghana, USA V Germany, Algeria v Russia and South Korea v Belgium
World Cup fantasy football tips – Day 14 review Day 15 preview
Nigeria 2 Argentina 3
Goals: Musa 2/ Messi 2 Rojo Assists: Babatunde Emenike/ Lavezzi
Both Nigeria and Argentina progress to the next stage. Argentina play Switzerland. Nigeria will play France.
Lineups (lineups and ratings from the Daily Mail):
Argentina (4-3-3): Romero 7; Zabaleta 6, Federico Fernandez 5, Garay 5, Rojo 6; Gago 7, Mascherano 6, Di Maria 8; Messi 9 (Alvarez 19 6), Higuain 6 (Biglia 90 6), Aguero 6 (Lavezzi 37 7).
Subs not used: Orion, Campagnaro, Perez, Maxi Rodriguez, Augusto Fernandez, Demichelis, Palacio, Basanta, Andujar.
Nigeria (4-5-1): Enyeama 7; Ambrose 6, Yobo 6, Oshaniwa 5, Omeruo 6; Odemwingie 6 (Nwofor 80 6), Onazi 6, Mikel 6, Babatunde 7 (Uchebo 66 6), Musa 8; Emenike 7.
Subs not used: Ejide, Uzoenyi, Gabriel, Egwuekwe, Odunlami, Oboabona, Azeez, Ameobi, Agbim.
Lineup comment:
Argentina: Put out the same side that beat Iran. Note Aguero went off injured. Needs monitoring
Nigeria: Put out the same side that beat Bosnia
Match comment:
A very open game where the Argentinian defence didn’t look anything like a potentially solid outfit in the first 2 games. Nigeria got to the back 4 time and time again and question marks need to be raied over Gago and Mascherano. However when you’ve got Messi you’ve always got a get out of jail free card.
Player comment:
Argentina are through easily to the next round. Their first knockout game is against Switzerland which is a good draw and they should get through to the quarters. In my mind there are 3 potential attacking targets for your team. It’s possible that the Argentinian team could benefit at least scoring wise from teams that are willing to attack them more. Thats unlikely to start with Switzerland.
Hard to see Nigeria going further with the next game being France
Messi
Again incredible. A must have
Higuain
Yet to score and only 1 assist as a return to date. Didn’t look threatening yesterday and you’re banking on an excellent international and qualifying record plus a great club season to suddenly return
Di Maria
A fantastic season for Real Madrid and a reasonable international and qualifying record. However yet to return a goal or assist. Was fantastic for the first time against Nigeria after 2 disappointing games before hand. Has the talent and the club form to suddenly come alive
The Argentinian defence
Yesterday wasn’t an advert for investment in the Argentinian defence thats for certain. However they are a good bet to go all the way and if you go budget such as Rojo you get an attacking option as well. As a converted CB he is dangerous at set pieces but also playing as an LB has assist potential.
Musa
2 goals yesterday is backed up by a reasonable international record. Unfortunately a forward in Fox but a cheap mid option in TFF. He doesn’t exist in Sun Dream Team
Emenike
Had an ok game and 2 assists to show for 3 games isn’t the end of the world. Reasonably cheap forward option which maybe useful but likely to last only 1 game.
Sun Dream Team scoring:
Nigeria: Enyeama and Emenike got 7’s. Musa got an 8.
Argentina: Rojo and Mascherano got 7’s. Di Maria got an 8 and Messi was the Star Man at 9.
Bosnia 3 Iran 1
As neither side are progressing I’m not proposing to cover this game
Ecuador 0 France 0
France are through after this match. They will play Nigeria. Ecuador go home
Lineups:
Ecuador: Dominguez, Paredes, Guagua, Erazo, Walter Ayovi, Antonio Valencia, Minda, Noboa (Caicedo 89), Montero (Ibarra 63), Arroyo (Achilier 82), Enner Valencia.
Subs: Banguera, Mendez, Rojas, Jaime Ayovi, Bagui, Saritama, Martinez, Gruezo, Bone.
Booked: Erazo.
Sent-off: Antonio Valencia.
France: Lloris, Sagna, Koscielny, Sakho (Varane 61), Digne, Griezmann (Remy 79), Pogba, Schneiderlin, Matuidi (Giroud 67), Sissoko, Benzema.
Subs: Ruffier, Debuchy, Evra, Cabaye, Cabella, Valbuena, Mavuba, Mangala, Landreau.
Lineup comment:
France: A number of changes as France had all but won the Group. Easier and more informative to say who started from the last game. That was Lloris, Sakho, Matuidi, Sissoko and Benzema. Sakho is an injury doubt for the next game.
Match comment:
Essentially this game can be summed up by saying France had a string of chances (helped by the Valencia sending off) which they spurned
Player comment:
France have a good chance of progressing to the quarters with a last 16 game against Nigeria. There are a number of potential targets
Benzema
Easily the top target with 3 goals and 3 assists so far. Good international record and an excellent season with Real Madrid. Should still have pens despite missing against Switzerland. Spurned a number of chances yesterday which is the only negative
Then it becomes alot more tricky to identify options:
Valbuena
The midfielder plays in an advanced position and has alot of set piece responsibility. A goal and an assist so far both coming in the Switzerland game. Not exactly cheap in any format. Didn’t play in this game
Matuidi
A player who likes to get into the box from further back. 1 goal from the Swiss game. Has looked good in the competition but not much of an international record.
Pogba
2 assists so far in limited gametime. A box to box player which always carries risk. Like the rest of the team yesterday, had a number of unconverted chances.
Griezmann/Giroud
I’ve only highlighted these 2 as they have potential but look like they will be competing for the same position.
The French defence
2 clean sheets is a good sign. Lloris, Debuchy Sakho and Evra is the likely lineup.
Sun Dream Team scoring:
France: The back 5 of LLoris, Sagna, Koscielny, Sakho and Digne got 7’s. As did Matuidi and Pogba. Star Man was the Ecuador GK
Honduras 0 Switzerland 3
Goals: Shaqiri 3 Assists: Lichsteiner Drimic 2
Switzerland will go through and will play Argentina. Honduras go home
Lineups:
Honduras: Valladares, Figueroa, Bernardez, J Garcia, W Palacios, Bengtson, Costly, B Garcia, Espinoza, Claros, Beckeles.
Switzerland: Benaglio, Lichtsteiner, Inler, Xhaka, Behrami, Rodriguez, Mehmedi, Drmic, Djourou, Schaer, Shaqiri.
Lineup comment:
Switzerland: Drimic replaced Seferovic. Doubts over who is first choice here. Schaer replaced Von Bergen who is injured. Interestingly Senderos was his injury sub in the France game. He was poor which may have opened to cheapie Schaer
Match comment:
A game dominated by the brilliance of the Shaqiri hat trick. After 2 quiet games and no goal or assist he showed his true class.
Player comment:
Shaqiri
With such a difficult game next it’s hard to recommend anyone from the Swiss team but if anyone can expose the questionable Argentinian defence it’s Shaqiri. Absolutely brilliant finishing.
Sun Dream Team scoring:
Switzerland: Rodriguez, Mehemedi, Inler, Behrami. Drimic got 8 and Shaqiri was the Star Man with 9.
Key Players for Day 15
Portugal v Ghana
Both have chances of progressing depending on the Germany USA result. A draw in that game would see both Portugal and Ghana out. The likely result if either qualify will mean a last 16 game against Belgium. On Belgiums current form that’s not too scary.
Ronaldo
Hasn’t looked fit and apart from the cross for the equaliser and one trick didn’t have anything like his best game. However the sight of Messi shining and Portugal being sent home early may just be the inspiration he needs. Ghana aren’t that defensively secure and the sending home of 2 players today may have disrupted harmony. Ownership very low in TFF which mitigates the risk of not transferring him in
Gyan
A goal and an assist so far is a good return. His international and qualifying record is also good. Price could be a little better though.
A Ayew
2 goals in 2 games doesn’t quite add up with his International and qualifying record but has played well. Reasonable value in TFF but a very big punt.
USA v Germany
USA have to get a point here which is a tall order. Same required for Germany although their goal difference. Winning the Group would see a game against Russia or Algeria. Runner up will play Belgium.
Dempsey
2 goals in 2 games and an excellent qualifying and International record. Interestingly a midfielder in TFF
Muller
3 goals and an assist in his first 2 games and playing a central striker position (although alot of positional rotation). High ownership makes him a must have.
Gotze
a goal and an assist and looking threatening in each game. Check lineup for any effect that Klose’s recent success may have on his position.
The German defence
1 clean sheet and a game against Ghana when they looked anything but secure. Should go along way but will be an interesting test today against a team that isn’t that strong attack wise.
Algeria v Russia
A draw should get Algeria through, Russia need to win to have a chance. Both are vying for a runner up spot which will likely see a game against Germany. For that reason neither are prime targets
Slimani
Excellent record Internationally and in qualifying. Very cheap in TFF. 1 goal and 1 assist in his only start so far. A gamble on progression and up against a reasonable defence
Feghouli
Should take pens. A good international and qualifying record. 1 goal and 1 assist in 2 games so far. Same comments as above though on progression and Russian defence.
South Korea v Belgium
Belgium need a point to win the Group which would see a game against Ghana/USA/Portugal. South Korea can in theory (as runner up) go through if they win but unlikely. Runner up would likely play Germany.
Hazard
2 assists in 2 games so far is a reasonable return but only really looked his brilliant self in the last 10 minutes against Russia. South Korea are a good basis for a transfer in TFF
Origi
If selected offers a cheap striking option. Again South Korea is a good start.
Enjoy the final Group stage day and good luck
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World Cup fantasy football tips
World Cup fantasy football tips