Group A
TEAM.................W-D-L..GF..GA..PTS
Moria...................1-0-0...3...2.......3
Angband..............0-1-0...2....2......1
Minas Tirith..........0-1-0...2....2......1
Alqualonde...........0-0-1...2....3......0
Alqualonde v. Minas Tirith
Alqualonde had a much more difficult time handling the physical play of Moria. Minas Tirith is not as physical of an opponent, and should be easier for the fleet footed Elves to handle. Minas Tirith plays well as a team, but the age of their defenders will definitely be a problem, as they definitely will tire as the tournament continues.
Alqualonde wins 3-2
Angband v. Moria
Moria was able to flex their muscles against the Elves, they will not be able to do the same against Angband. This will be a death match, as both teams will certainly hit, and hit hard. Angband is more talented, and Moria has already piled up the Yellow cards. Moria managed to keep their team together, only for the fact that they won, but Moria has so much inner strife they will crumble once Angband jumps out early.
Angband wins 4-2
Group B
TEAM...............W-D-L..GF..GA...PTS
Arnor................1-0-0...2...1......3
Nargothrond.......1-0-0...2...1......3
Helm's Deep.......0-0-1...1...2......0
Mirkwood..........0-0-1...1...2......0
Arnor v. Nargothrond
If either team wins this, they are a lock to advance. This is probably the most anticipated match of the group. Both defenses will be strong, goals will be tough to come by. Lucky for Nargothrond, they play the maligned Helm's Deep in Round 3, but a tie will make things in this group interesting.
Draw 1-1.
Helm's Deep v. Mirkwood
Mirkwood's the host team and they are coming off a tough loss to Nargothrond, which spells bad news for Helm's Deep. Scatha, Legolas, and Thranduil will have their way.
Mirkwood wins 3-1
Group C
TEAM...............W-D-L..GF..GA...PTS
Minas Morgul.......1-0-0...3...0......3
Hithlum..............1-0-0...2...1......3
Gondolin.............0-0-1...1...2......0
Isengard............0-0-1...0...3......0
Hithlum v. Minas Morgul
Minas Morgul dominated against Isengard, but it is clear the cream of this group is Hithlum, and they will not be so lucky. Minas Morgul's defense is not going up against a
Slowbeam or Ug
lag anymore, they have to stop Feanor and Maedhros...something they won't be able to do. However, it will be closer than most people thing, as the Nazgul, who are much stronger with their lord, the Witch-King, should not be underestimated.
Hithlum wins 3-2.
Gondolin v. Isengard
Isengard might just be the worst team in the tournament. They have no scoring ability, and Saruman isn't a strong enough player (like the WK) to carry a team. Gondolin will win fairly easily, and it only gets worse, as Isengard will not only be eliminated, but will have to face Hithlum next round.
Gondolin wins 2-0.
Group D
TEAM..........W-D-L..GF..GA...PTS
Eregion.........1-0-0...2...0......3
Erebor..........0-1-0...2...2......1
Osgiliath.......0-1-0...2...2......1
Mordor.........0-0-1...0...2......0
Eregion v. Osgiliath
I don't think anyone in this group has the firepower to score against Eregion's most impressive defense. However, Osgiliath is a strong defensive team of their own, which means this will be a very dull game.
Draw 0-0.
Mordor v. Erebor
If Osgiliath manages to beat, or at least tie, Eregion in the first match, Erebor has to feel this game is a must win for them. That might put a lot of pressure on Erebor, knowing they end against Eregion, and thus will overlook their current task - defeat Mordor. Smaug should be up to the task, as he torches the Mordor team, but this may be closer than the experts think, giving Mordor the chance of an upset.
Erebor wins 2-1
Group E
TEAM.............W-D-L..GF..GA...PTS
Armenolos........1-0-0...3...1......3
Doriath............0-1-0...2...2......1
Lothlorien.........0-1-0...2...2......1
Dor-Lomin.........0-0-1...1...3......0
Armenolos v. Doriath
There were questions to how the addition of Sauron would effect Armenolos and it worked out great for them in their 1st match vs. Dor-Lomin. However, Dor-Lomin is overrated and Doriath, behind the strength of Melian, will be a tougher opponent. The question for Doriath, is will they be able to score themselves? Anyone can win this group, and it will further up for grabs after a...
Draw 1-1.
Dor-Lomin v. Lothlorien
When you have Turin, you can not be counted out, he could surprise you. The unlucky part for Dor-Lomin is this is a very strong defensive group, and that is something Dor-Lomin does not have. Lothlorien is inconsistent offensively, but they managed to put up 2 goals against Melian and they should be able to do the same against Dor-Lomin.
Lothlorien wins 2-0.
Group F
TEAM............W-D-L..GF..GA...PTS
Edoras...........1-0-0...2...0......3
Taniquetil.......0-1-0...1...1......1
The Shire.......0-1-0...1...1......1
Dorthonion.....0-0-1...0...2......0
Edoras v. Taniquetil
As I believed, Edoras has great team work and was able to easily handle Dorthonion. For some unexplained reason, Taniquetil did not come ready to face the meager Shirelings. This does spell trouble for Edoras, as Taniquetil will come looking to fire back, and prove their worth. For if Taniquetil does not trounce Edoras into the ground, Eru may need to start replacing his Valar!
Taniquetil wins 3-0.
Dorthonion v. The Shire
Each and every tournament the hobbits manage to play way above their talent level. They should lose every single match, but they don't. So, here it comes, Samwise will remain sturdy at the goal, and Bullroarer will be able to sneak one past Beor.
The Shire wins 1-0! (Maybe once they are actually predicted to win, they will fail, just like they should).
Group G
TEAM............W-D-L..GF..GA...PTS
Tuna..............1-0-0...4...0......3
Gondor...........0-1-0...2...2......1
Tol-i-Gaur.......0-1-0...2...2......1
Brethil............0-0-1...0...4......0
Brethil v. Tol-in-Gaurhoth
Now that TIG has actually managed to play together, they should be able to fire on all cylinders...erm paws. Plus it must help when your next match is against Brethil, who is a technically sound team, but skill wise, they are vastly out-matched.
TIG wins 3-0.
Gondor v. Tuna
This will be the highlight match of not only the group, but maybe the entire 1st round of group play. It is sure to be an offensive explosion. Both teams will try to prove why offense is the best defense. Miriel will have another stunning performance, and score 2 goals in this match, but behind the Gondor brothers, they will surpise the group, making everything come down to the round 3 matchups.
Gondor wins 4-3.
Group H
TEAM............W-D-L..GF..GA...PTS
Valimar...........1-0-0...3...0......3
Romenna........1-0-0...2...1......3
Bree..............0-0-1...1...2......0
Amon Sul........0-0-1...0...3......0
Valimar v. Bree
Must win game for Bree if they want to advance. They were unable to take care of business against Romenna, and Valimar will surely be more challenging. Their only hope is Melkor does something completely stupid to anger his team...but that won't happen.
Valimar wins 2-1.
Amon Sul v. Romenna
Amon Sul maybe facing the stout Romenna defense, but they should not be counted out just yet...when you have Elendil he is a game changer. If Amon Sul comes in with the win or go-home mindset, Elendil will play with a fiery passion and force Romenna to put multiple defenders on him...abandoning Arahael to score the only goal of the match.
Amon Sul wins 1-0.
Edit: Oops, didn't realize tp was going to do the standings, oh well my match predictions are still there.
