[Boromir88]

GROUP A

1. The Havens vs. Barrow-Downs -
The Havens will be a better match up for The Barrow-Downs team than Valimar was, but will it be enough? Now The Havens have conceded 2 goals in every one of their matches so defensively they're vulnerable and The Barrow-Downs is good enough to exploit it. But The Havens has also scored in each one of their games and against much tougher defenses than the BDs. Question, good enough to score 3? We'll take the odds and call it a draw 2-2.

2. Armenelos vs. Valimar-
The premier game of Round 2. In previous years Armenelos' strong attack has taken it right to Manwe's conservative style and completely embarrassed the Valar on their home field. Ar Pharazon would want nothing more than to do the same by spoiling the Valar's return to home after the 1-year hosting ban. Neither team will want to end this game with a draw, they both desire to beat the other too badly. The difficulty time we're having is choosing which one! *Valimar wins 2-1

GROUP B

1. AC Beleriand vs. Inter Beleriand-
Inter did good to get the needed result against Dwarve's United but now a different challenge facing their more trimmed and experienced land-mass rivals, AC Beleriand. We'll go with the experience and what this year has so far shown us *ACBel wins 2-1

2. Dwarve' s United vs. Gondolin-
Gondolin's defense is a little shakier than Inter's and the Dwarves will be determined to play better after a rough 2-0 defeat. Gondolin's attack however, is comparable to Inter's and Galadriel simply must save more than 3/5 to be worth the price she commands. *Gondolin wins 2-1

GROUP C

1. Hithlum vs. Shire-Bree United-
Shire-Bree's defense has the legs to run with Hithlum all game, and that's probably what they'll be doing. Gandalf and Khamul can spring a couple surprise counters that might be able to go in goal, but they can't get into a scoring contest or they'll lose. *Hithlum wins 3-1.

2. Doriath vs. Real Valinor-
We weren't surprised Real Valinor beat Hithlum on Round 1, but we surprised by how easily they dealt with Hithlum's offensive firepower. Containing Doriath then shouldn't be a problem for them and even without Arien their offensive talent is still good enough to beat Melian's girdle at least twice. *Real Valinor wins 2-0.

GROUP D

1. Barad-Dur vs. Isengard-
Isengard should play better in this one, but merely because it's hard to play any worse than their 0-4 shelacking in round 1. The blue wizards will be tasked with stopping their fellow wizard Saruman. Saruman has led those two off into the wilderness before, but other Isengard attackers shouldn't be too much of a hastle. Barad-Dur's offense hasn't been as impressive as expected, but surely it's shown more quality than Isengard's defense. *Barad-Dur wins 2-1.

2. Gondor vs. FC Valinor-
Defensively Gondor will be much stiffer than FC Valinor, but they don't have the skill nor talen to hold out indefinitely. Nor do they possess the killer strike needed to beat FC Valinor's defense, even if FC Valinor takes Gondor fairly easily. *FC Valinor wins 2-0.

GROUP E

1.Misty Mountains vs. Wilderland-
The Misty Mountains played a tough game against Eriador and Wilderland's attacking ability certainly surprised us being able to score 3 on Erebor. Although, in our group breakdowns we thought Erebor was overpriced (and overrated) this year, while Misty Mountains is getting good value comparable to the talent they've put on the field. Wilderland will be able to score, but the question is are they capable of stopping anyone? With Eriador waiting in the final game this is more a must win for Wilderland than it is for Misty Mountains. But to prove the doubters wrong (and TTN correct) Misty Mountains needs the win as well. *Misty Mts wins 3-2.

2. Erebor vs. Eriador-
A disappointing draw against Wilderland puts Erebor in a precarious situation. Now Erebor's attack is a nightmare to contain to a defense like Eriador, who plays mistake-free but seriously lack the aerial player to stop Smaug. However, it's also why they have Elrond at goal, because the Elf lord just stops everything game after game. This could end in a draw simply because Erebor should come away with most the possession and more shots on goal, but still can't find a way to get 2 past Elrond. Tough to call and go against Eriador, but we do agree with AKM here, they've lost some of their glitter (definitely hurt by Witch-King's departure). *Draw 1-1.

GROUP F

1. Minas Tirith vs. Tirion-
We were disappointed by Minas Tirith's round 1 performance. Make no mistake once put in this group their fate to take the cellar in the group seemed certain, but we thought there was still enough talent to challenge the teams in this group and make a real fight of things. Now we're left wondering if they'll even be able to score a goal in this group. *Tirion wins 3-1.

2. Nargothrond vs. The Sea-
Nargothrond definitely impressed us, even if it was against a must weaker Minas Tirith squad this year...this was a team that was really hemhorraging goals last year and appeared to have lost it's way. Last year must have been rock bottom and they have apparently placed everyone in their proper positions. Having said that, The Sea just exemplifies experience and defensive excellence. We foresee a breakout performance by Tar Minastir in this one, that leads to...*The Sea wins 2-1.

GROUP G

1. Imladris vs. Tol-in-Gaurhoth-
TIG has put it all together this year and that spells trouble for Imladris. Imladris is stout defensively and there is no way they're going to be intimidated with Varda leading the defense (that much is proven after round 1). Their offense though is seriously lacking, especially against the fearsome defenses in this group. *TIG wins 2-0.

2. Angband vs. Angfauglith-
Another premier game in round 2 and we're just sitting here anxiously wondering how this one turns out. It's hard to see that Morgoth won't come into this game full of fury and might that will put the Balrogs and Angfauglith in their proper place (2nd fiddle to Angband). But it's time to be blunt about Angband here...they don't look right and haven't looked right since losing on penalty kicks to Minas Tirith last year. Even in the friendlies, just to manage their draws Morgoth needed to come forward to get late goals. Now Angfauglith has a lot of problems in the midfield that won't be as troublesome to Angband as TIG's midfield was...We'll go with *Angband wins 1-0.

GROUP H

1. Arnor vs. Mordor-
Mordor did what they needed in a convincing 2-0 win over Rohan, proving what TTN said that there is more talent to the roster than what the payroll shows. However, we do agree with AKM here too that Mordor's roster, while perfect against Rohan, is not so good against the veteran rangers led by their king, Elendil. And on the attack, the Witch-King is clearly superior to The Mouth and Nazgul. Arnor is in more need of the win, even if Mordor has Anduin waiting in the last round, because a draw will probably give Mordor enough points to advance. This is one of the more difficult matches to call. We'll take the draw 2-2.

2. Anduin vs. Rohan-
Anduin lived up to their pricetag in round 1, and that was the questionmark with this team. While beating an opponent like Arnor isn't a sparkling achievement, it did show they were at least as good on the field as they were on paper. Rohan will be looking to bounceback after being frightened off the field by Mordor, and well at least the Anduin team shouldn't scare the wits out of Rohan. But Rohan's lost way too much talent from last year's strong playoff team, and the great Grimbeorn is quite scary too. *Anduin wins 2-1.