GROUP - ROUND 3 PREDICTION
BoroLXXXIII, Two Towers Network
Oh my, that was quite nearly a perfect round. The scores were still not up to par, (closer than in round 1 though) but 15 of 16 outcomes predicted correctly. The only fault was Misty Mts wound up with a draw against Anduin, instead of besting them. I wish I had this same amount of success picking phantasy players. I swapped out Araphor for Eorl, and Legolas for the B-W. What was I thinking!? Hopefully, I don't peak too soon, because if I falter with my predictions, than I'm going to be in big time trouble.
Fortunately my predictions never fall apart, but as the cream rises to the top and they start playing eachother in a vicious and spectacular final 16, win or go home playoffs, the games will get harder and harder to call.
(All the best color commentary to be editted back in tomorrow. I decided to try to tempt the magic internet pixies, and as I had the post typed and ready, klapooey, connection went dead.
)
Group A
Doriath vs Shire-Bree United - No contest here, Doriath will be well on their way to sweeping the group in the most dominating fashion ever seen. It would be silly to not have a few Doriath players on your teams, but the questions are which ones? If you're near the leaders and wish to stay in striking distance, you're probably better off taking Turin, before falling behind further. However, if you're already a good distance behind and looking to catch up, it doesn't do much good adding the same players the leaders have. So, it may be better taking some of the Doriath players not picked up as much, like Beleg, Eol, and Melian. You may fall behind more if Turin keeps up on his rampage, but you're at a point where you have to think about catching up, if it's possible (and it is still possible
).
Doriath wins 3-0
Himring vs Tirion - One of the premier games of the round, winner moves on, loser goes home. A draw and Tirion advances, although this game won't end in a draw, simply because Maedhros, Fingon and Maglor won't allow it. They will come out determined to leave it all out on the pitch, as we like to call it. Save nothing let, and leave with no regrets. Question is will the treacherous Easterlings be playing with the same passion or flat out bail on Maedhros in the face of adversity as they have done so many times before?
Tirion wins 3-2
Group B
Anduin vs Esgaroth - Esgaroth has been atrocious yes, but I think they match up better with Anduin and not the rough/heavy-hitting Sauron and Saruman run teams. Anduin will certainly not blow out the scoreboard against anyone. So like this game will end 2-1 in favor of Anduin, and even with the win it won't be enough goals to knock off Misty Mts. But, I'm actually going to go out on a bit of a limb and say Esgaroth gets the draw. They have to be better than what they've shown so far, right? I mean really, they have to.
Draw 2-2
Misty Mts vs Wilderland - Another big game with a lot of factors on the line. Although, I think the hype and competitiveness will be over-sold on ths one by Sauron and Saruman. It will overhyped for publicity and profit purposes, but won't be much of a contest to be honest. 1 Balrog against 1 dragon and I would take the Balrog. But 1 Balrog and a gimmick wizard against 2 dragons, 2 wizards, and Sauron? Gimme Wilderland.
Wilderland wins 3-1
Group C
Hithlum vs The Downer - The Downer has shown absolutely zilch interest in actually playing the game. How they got a spot in the final 32 is beyond me, despite how interesting and whacko their characters are. And despite this, Hithlum's defense is so porous, without even trying The Downer can put up 2 goals on them. Problem is, Hithlum can score more, even in a game that means nothing.
Hithlum wins 4-2
Angband vs Angfauglith - Now this is a game which can not be over-hyped, it is going to be one of the great battles of the ages. Could very well be a championship caliber game, and we get to see it in group play! Statistics and gameplay all point to Angband winning this one, but I've picked Angfauglith to win the whole thing, and this group. And I'm sticking to that until they're eliminated!
Angfauglith wins 2-1
Group D
Barad-dur vs Gondor - This match will impact how the teams play in the 2nd match a lot. Everything shows that these 2 will fight to a draw, which means Eriador can relax a bit and just not lose by more than 2 goals to Eregion. However, I can't see what Eorl's and Eldacar's problems are, they have been multiple goal-scorers in every Arda Cup, except NOW. It's all about what you've done for me now, and I suspect these boys know that. They're due for a break out game, or at least they better have one NOW, or they'll be shipped out of Gondor double-quick.
Gondor wins 3-2
Eregion vs Eriador - This one could end in a draw, but that will do Eriador nothing if either Gondor or Barad-dur win. Even against the Vala defenses, these Eriador players know how to score, and I think they're just good enough to finally beat the impenetrable wall of Elrond. They can't do it twice though, I'm not sure anyone is that good. Eriador only has themselves to blame if they don't advance though, should have taken care of business against Barad-dur or Gondor and they didn't.
Eregion wins 2-1
Group E
Mordor vs Tol In Gaurhoth - All the questions are going to be will the wolves allow the orcs and Mordorians to go through with them over the more annoying Bombadillians? Wolves won't care about this game, but they won't care about orc feelings either.
TIG wins 2-0
Nargothrond vs The Forest - This one is hard to say, because so many times before when I've picked Bombadil's team and thought his star quality is enough to get into the playoffs, he skips off to a field of lilies. I think this year might be slightly different, if only for the fact that the Ents are good defenders and shutdown when riled from slumber, plus Nargothrond is a joke.
The Forest wins 3-2
Group F
Mithrim vs Tol Eressea - Not much to see here, move along, eventhough this is an important game to win for Tol Eressea. I can't see how Mithrim can score on Ulmo's defense, and Ulmo will probably get the lone goal of the match too.
Tol Eressea wins 1-0
Numenor vs Westernesse - I don't care what AKM wants to speculate, Wesernesse will not tank this game to allow Numenor to qualify. They forget these Westernesse players met in secret to form their own super-team, combining the best of Numenor with the best of Gondor. Numenor's not going to take being cast aways by the primadonna's lightly, they'll come out wanting to beat them. But all that means is Westernesse will put the Numenoreans in their rightful place, as spit-shiners for Ar-Pharazon's golden boots.
Westernesse wins 2-0
Group G
Beleriand vs Gondolin - No surprising comeback in store for the scrappy Beleriand team. Their draw against Pelori was an awesome story, but they've since come back to earth and now everyone's waiting when Gondolin will actually come to play at all?
Draw 1-1
Pelori vs Valinor - Here's an interesting one, considering all the storylines with Tulkas running off to forget his own team. Will Manwe put his rebelling brother in his place? Not likely. As long as you're not Morgoth or Feanor, Manwe basically stays hands off and lets members of his club do what they want. In this case Tulkas' aggressiviness will always win out over the boring conservativeness of Manwe, at least in the game of soccer, not always the case in the fate of Arda.
Valinor wins 2-1
Group H
Minas Morgul vs Minas Tirith - Minas Tirith will play better than what they'v shown, because there is no love loss when playing Minas Morgul. But talents not there to seriously make this a thrilling rivalry, sorry but it's not. Where is the Witch-King? Where is Castamir? And where is the Queen? Are all fair questions and quite right. They'll have a break out performance against their weaker foes.
Minas Morgul wins 4-2
Dunharrow vs Lothlorien - Dunharrow's given a much better effort than the Helm's Deep teams of the past, but sorry boys, not good enough to beat Lothlorien and advance. Not with Feanor dominating as he is, and Legolas and Boromir adding their contributions. Not with the defense playing as good as it is, and Galadriel truly raising her performances. Keep playing like this, and the Golden Woods may finally have a real winner to brag about.
Lothlorien wins 2-0