Rousseau

Russia were not that great; Saudi Arabia, although starting lively, didn't do anything and were terrible defensively. 

5-0 flattered them, I think.

35 minutes to go...

Everyone seems to be very confident of France doing well. 

I think they're quite poor. Undoubted quality, but lacking something, for me. 

1 hour ago, BEARGER said:

 

Russia 1 vs Saudi Arabia 0 (Group A) 

Egypt 1 vs Uruguay 2 (Group A) 

 

Morocco 2 vs Iran 0 (Group B)

Portugal 1 vs Spain 2 (Group B) 

 

France 3 vs Australia 0 (Group C)

Peru 2 vs Denmark 1 (Group C)

 

Argentina 2 vs Iceland 1 (Group D) 

Croatia 2 vs Nigeria p1 (Group D)

Costa Rica 0 vs Serbia 2 (Group E)

Brazil 3 vs Switzerland 0 (Group E)

 

Germany 2 vs Mexico 0 (Group F)

Sweden 2 vs South Korea 1 (Group F)

 

Belgium 3 vs Panama 0 (Group G)

Tunisia 1 vs England 1(Group G)

 

Colombia 2 vs Japan 0 (Group H) 

Poland 3 vs Senegal 0 (Group H)

Joker card, @BEARGER?

Apply it to one game from the above fixtures, and it doubles whatever you get for that game. 

2 hours ago, Sindarin said:

Can someone explain the concept of the ( Joker ) please before I post my predictions, I've just spent half an hour doing my Sun dream team, fancy having a run at this also.

The Joker doubles whatever points you get on the particular match you apply it to. You get 1 Joker per round. 

1 point for the Correct Result; 3 points for the Correct Score. 

8 minutes ago, der Berliner said:

Since when was "You have until 16:00 toNIGHT!"? Do the lights go out early in Rousseau-land?

This evening? Today?

I went with 'today'.  

Another wee bump!

You have until 16:00 today!

A few that stated they were interested in playing have not yet made their predictions: @Malangsob, @Unicorn, @cooponthewing, @Tannochsidebear and @BEARGER

45 minutes ago, Frankie said:

It is worth noting though that even 4LHAD might not always be correct all the time either.

 

Halliday/Holt's agent on Twitter last night saying their claim about the manager meeting his clients yesterday isn't true.

I think it was based on the Sky Sports Reporter saying that those players were there at the training ground as Gerrard arrived, implying that they were meeting Gerrard without actually saying it. 

1 hour ago, Darthter said:

Oh, to be a fly on the wall for that one....;)

I was certain there was a thread about this posted, but I couldn't find it.

Anyway, I thought it would be interesting to speculate on potential line-ups given we've made a few signings now. 

As said elsewhere, I can see a 3-4-3 being deployed.

McGregor

Katic - Alves/McCrorie - Goldson

Tavernier - Jack - Dorrans - John

Windass - Arfield

Morelos

Those inside forward roles are difficult to predict: anyone two of Murphy, Windass, Candeias, Ejaria, Arfield can all play there. 

Docherty and Rossiter could come into the midfield two, too.

Wee bump!

You've got until 16:00 Tomorrow to in your predictions for the first batch of games!

And... Lopetegui has been sacked by Spain.  

I'd love to see a youngster step up.

Does anyone more knowledgeable know if Rudden is close?

3 minutes ago, lenny3k said:

in all honesty, I have a feeling we'll be looking at playing something like a flexible 3-4-3

Yes, me too. He switched to that with the Liverpool U18s. 

We have quite a few attacking/winger-type players to fit in, and now with more CBs it looks like a 3-4-3 would fit the personnel.

3 minutes ago, buster. said:

So unlike the Euros, no changes (to other matches) after first fixture KO's ?

No. It just makes it easier to tally up. 

I can go back to that way if there's demand. 

15 minutes ago, der Berliner said:

I take it one can change one's prediction right up to the start of the first game?

Yes, right up until the start of the first game. 

Some interesting joker placements thus far...

Looks like he could play right of a back three.

Imagine a back-three of:

Goldson - Alves/McCrorie - Katic

McCrorie or katic could step up into midfield to go to a back-four mid-game...

With Goldson imminent too, this is a very good start to the window, strengthening a weak spot. 

The Katic deal is done!? 

So I can...

Umar Sadiq looks like he's not a natural goalscorer, but he looks strong, quick and likes to run in behind. It looks like he creates the space for headers, wins them, but is not the most clinical with them. 

He's got good feet, and good reactions, though.

1 minute ago, Bill said:

Where does the SNP come into this? Baffled.

It's perhaps a wry comment on their lack of a plan?

Russia 2 - 1 Saudi Arabia (Group A) 

Egypt 0 - 2 Uruguay (Group A) 

Morocco 0 - 2 Iran (Group B)

Portugal 0 - 1 Spain (Group B) 

France 1 - 0 Australia (Group C)

Peru 1 - 1 Denmark (Group C)

Argentina 2 - 0 Iceland (Group D) 

Croatia 2 - 0 Nigeria (Group D)

Costa Rica 1 - 3 Serbia (Group E)

Brazil 2 - 0 Switzerland (Group E)

Germany 2 - 1 Mexico (Group F)

Sweden 2 - 1 South Korea (Group F)

Belgium 4 - 0 Panama (Group G) - Joker

Tunisia 0 - 1 England (Group G)

Colombia 2 - 1 Japan (Group H)

Poland 3 - 0 Senegal (Group H)