[Boromir88]

The friendlies have concluded and the Arda Cup is now in full swing. The Two Towers Network will give analysis on all 8 groups and the best phantasy insight you will ever find. It was rather difficult predicting the friendly matches, because you can't tell how teams will decide to perform during exhibitions. But, now the teams are tournament ready, and I am too. Let the games begin!

GROUP A - completely defense-focused from all the teams, so this is going to be a difficult group to predict, as 1 goal will likely be good enough to win the match (or at least force a draw). Each match is going to be a battle, and it's going to be more about what defense doesn't have a lapse to give the opposing offense a quality chance to score.

Aman- Coming into group play Aman is looking like the favorite to win the group, according to most betting agencies. It's true their friendly schedule wasn't very difficult, but the modest 12.5% scoring is double everyone else in the group, and defensively they are arguably the best. The thing I like about the offense is the steady efficiency, they're not flashy, but you know what you're going to see each match. Other teams like Barad Dur have more dangerous attacks, but are totally unreliable. Aman doesn't create many chances, but they're quality chances and it's got a machine-like efficiency. Because of this (backed by a strong defense) Aman are the favorites to take first. They will have trouble advancing far beyond group play. I can see possibly getting into the quarter-finals, but not much farther.
*Top phantasy scorer(s)- GK-Nienna (18)

Beleriand- Could beat Ithilien but that will be a difficult task, and an even harder one will be faced when going against Vinyamar. TTN agrees with AKM that they may not look as bad as the experts are making them sound, but they haven't show much promise to be able to score, and defensively they are a few notches below both Aman and Vinyamar. They've allowed 2 less goals than Ithilien, but the offenses they faced in the friendlies can not be compared to what Ithilien was up against. Simply because of the fact that Ithilien's and Vinyamar's offenses are just as dreadfully unreliable, Beleriand has a small chance to snatch 2nd, but if they make it out of the group, they won't make it past their first playoff game.
*Top phantasy scorer(s)- GK-Halmir (14)

Ithilien- Pretty much the same story as Beleriand. That is they could beat Beleriand, but it will be hard to get past Aman and Vinyamar. The bigger upside to Ithilien (over Beleriand) is they faced 3 high-powered offenses in the friendlies (Valimar - 15%, Thangorodrim - 20%, Havens - 15.1%) and the sneaky Ranger defense held up pretty good. It only allowed one more shot on target than Beleriand. The question mark remains to be the Mumak at goal. It's shown to be able to stand up well to powerful blasts, but when opposing FWs get in close, it's a bit of a clutz and doesn't handle the shot well...often being unable to adjust or allowing the ball to eek through the legs. Have a moderately better chance to snatch 2nd, but again if they make it out, they will be a first round exit in the playoffs.
*Top phantasy scorer(s)- GK- Mumakil (12)

Vinyamar- Have an outside shot at taking 1st place, but really that's Aman's to lose. Defensively they are arguable better than Aman, but really there's no significant difference between them. The edge, defensively, is slightly in Vinyamar's favour, as they held Tirion and Havens to 1 goal a piece. However, offensively, they've been as much of a threat as Ithilien and Beleriand would be. And they weren't exactly playing defenses as good as the ones they will meet in this group. They are going to be the favorites for 2nd, and it will be there's to lose, but if they rely too much on their defense to hold, Ithilien or Beleriand could steal it. If they make it out of group play, they won't make it past the first round.
*Top phantasy scorer(s)- GK- Rog (18)

Predicted Group Standings:
1. Aman
2. Vinyamar
3. Beleriand
4. Ithilien