Arda Cup Football 2011

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

Group A
Match of interest: Himring vs Tirion

The fight for second place of this group. Both have a goal difference of zero, but if they tie, Tirion goes through with more goals scored. Tirion is better offensively (9th compared to Himring's 16th) but Himring is better defensively (14th vs 27th for Tirion). Himring is ranked higher over-all in the ArdaCup.com Power Ranking (13th vs 18th for Tirion). Aredhel (Tirion) have been in all three Arda Cup finals games, winning two of them, but Fingon and Maedhros (Himring) have been finalists twice already, with Maedhros winning once.

Phantasy match: Doriath vs Shire-Bree United

Shire-Bree United will most likely get shut out, and Doriath might do target practice in SBU's side of the pitch. And since Doriath's already qualified (and poised to face Minas Morgul in the Round of 16), it's a good investment to have Doriath players in your team.

Group B
Match of interest: Wilderland vs Misty Mts

Misty Mts might still end up missing the next round, their impressive performance to date notwithstanding. Both are fairly strong defensive teams (Wilderland's 4th, Misty Mts 6th), but Wilderland has a stronger attack (4th vs 13th for Misty Mts).

Phantasy match: Anduin vs Esgaroth

Esgaroth has one of the weakest defences in the whole tourney, and Anduin has already scored a goal against the resilient Misty Mts defence. Anduin might not make it to the knock-out stage--and even if they do, don't expect them to go far, especially since they'd be up against one of the Blessed Realm teams. Still, if you have a star to spare, Beorn (Anduin) just might light up the score chart.

Group C
Match of interest: Angband vs Anfauglith

Two strong offensive teams (Anfauglith's 2nd, Angband 3rd) vying for the top spot of the group (and avoiding a date with cup contender Westernesse for the next round). Maeglin (Anfauglith) and Ancalagon (Angband) are beasts on the attack, and Thuringwethil (Angband) and Gothmog (Anfauglith) are not far behind them. Almost half of Anfauglith's team were from last year's championship team, and Fingolfin has been in all Arda Cup finals matches.

Phantasy match:

For more secure slots, get any of the scorers from Angband/Anfauglith. In the other match, The Downer's porous defences means Hithlum's potent attack (ranked 10th) is likely to do big damage, but since they've already been eliminated, you'll have to replace them once the next round comes.

Group D
Match of interest: Barad-dûr vs Gondor

This could very well be the battle for 2nd place in this group. Both teams are almost evenly matched (Gondor is ranked just one notch higher in offence, defence, and over-all), so a draw is likely, which means Eriador still has a shot at 2nd, provided Eregion doesn't run them over, and if Barad-dûr and Gondor don't make a lot of goals against each other.

Phantasy match:

There's some risk in grabbing Eregion's defensive line-up for this round, since Eriador will do its best not to be shut out. However, Elrond (Eregion) is still a wall; and since they'll most likely meet The Forest in the next round), Eregion picks are safe picks for at least two more rounds.

Group E
Match of interest: The Forest vs Nargothrond

This is The Forest's chance to make it to the next round, and there's hardly any better chance to be offered to them: Nargothrond is dismal in the pitch (1 goal made, 5 goals allowed even in this weak group). But The Forest's defence is not up to snuff, so a rampaging Glaurung (Nargothrond) may still make a contest out of this.

Phantasy match: Tol-in-Gaurhoth vs Mordor

A TiG shut-out of Mordor is likely, and TiG goals more so. Tol-in-Gaurhoth will face the 2nd of Group D (Gondor, Barad-dûr, or Eriador) in the next round. They're unlikely to lose to any of them, so TiG players in your phantasy line-up are a safe long-term investment.

Group F
Match of interest/Phantasy match:

Allegations of possible match-fixing notwithstanding, we'll almost certainly see Westernesse and Tol Eressëa winning their matches and walking out of this group. Both teams would most probably hold their opponents to zero goals, and Westernesse shooters would not be denied. More Westernesse, less Tol Eressëa, though, since Westernesse is more likely to go further into the tourney, despite their impending match-up against the 2nd of C (Angband or Anfauglith).

Group G
Match of interest/Phantasy match: Pelóri vs Valinor

The battle for this group's 1st seed (and not having to meet Wilderland in the next round), this match will be one to watch. Valinor's sizzling attack is not likely to be shut out by even the Mountains of Defence. Pelóri is more likely to be shut out, but probably not. Pelóri still might not make it to the next round, so this is a crucial match for them--win, or at least don't get slaughtered (and hope Beleriand doesn't decimate Gondolin).

Group H
Match of interest/Phantasy match:

Lothlórien would not let Dunharrow score. Minas Morgul will take a lot of shots, and the anemic Minas Tirith defences would be unlikely to hold them back. Minas Morgul might even shut the Tower of Guard out.