Russian Tournament Preview Group D

Group D

SpursBoy

Team: Terek Grozny

Odds: Evens

Previous Tournament Performances: Semi-Final, Winner, Winner, Winner, Semi-Final, Semi-Final, Semi-Final, Quarter-Final, Final

Ranked: 1st

SpursBoy showed he is getting back to his former self last tournament with a solid runner-up placing. Now this tournament represents a real chance for him to go one better. All his main rivals have been drawn dud teams just like SpursBoy himself; however the difference being Spursboy has always been able to excell with the poor teams I think it is probably something to do with him supporting West Brom. The group poses no real challenge; the real contest probably starts about the semi-final stage for him. This is an excellent opportunity for him to put himself out there on his own again with 4 titles and reassert his dominance.

Verdict: Winner

1manontherun

Team: Amkar Prem

Odds: 9 - 1

Previous Tournament performances: Group-Stages, Group Stages, Qualifying Round

Ranked: 25th

Poor 1man could struggle big time in this tournament. Having again been drawn with SpursBoy who seems to have the measure of him he also has to contend with Terry and Dog. Whilst Terry and Dog wouldn’t normally faze him, they both have decent sides compared to 1man’s team who are very poor. Any type of point would be classed as a good result for 1man in this tournament I just hope he can achieve some kind of miracle and get outta this group, cos that is what it’s going to take.

Verdict: Group-Stages

Terry

Team: Dynamo Moscow

Odds: 7 - 1

Previous Tournament Performances: Quarter-Finals, Group-Stages, Group-Stages, Group-Stages, Group-Stages, Group Stages

Ranked: 17th

Terry fared well last time in a hard group, narrowly missing out on shocking Voom and SpursBoy. However this time round he has it a bit more easily with a decent team and a decent-ish group. This is probably the best chance he has of making the knock-outs since his debut tournament. It looks like the key game will be against Dog whoever wins that will take that second spot provided 1man doesn’t inflict a shock on either of them. I’m going to punt with Dog though as he has won more of these pressured group stages games than Terry and has a stronger team.

Verdict: Group-Stage

Dog

Team: A. Makhachkala

Odds: 6 - 1

Previous tournament performances: Group-Stages, Group-Stages, Quarter-finals, Quarter-finals, Quarter-Finals

Ranked: 10th

Nice to see Dog in this tournament after unfortunately missing out due to high demand last time out. He has also been drawn one of the better teams in the tournament with some class players and a decent group to progress with. Looking at his tournament history he has a good record now of getting through the group stages, but like Virus seems to fall at the first hurdle of the knock-outs. He might trouble SpursBoy in the group stages, will beat 1man and will probably just edge Terry. Like Fab he could be a dark horse in the knock-outs.

Verdict: Quarter-Finals


Predicted Tournament Standings:

1. SpursBoy 9 pts
2. Dog 6 pts
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3. Terry 3 pts
4. 1Man 0 pts