Group game 1 (Wed 23rd Sept) - Build up

[harry51]

Group A
Bournemouth - Club America
Liverpool - Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield
Newcastle United - Al Alhay
Manchester City - Inter Miami
Bye: Botafogo

Group B
Arsenal - Yokohama Mariners
Aston Villa - Club Atlético Central Córdoba
Everton - Flamengo
Brentford - Los Angeles FC
Bye: Monterrey

Sheets by 8 PM UK Time

[stocko74]

Brentford - Los Angeles FC

i thought i was out of this proves how much attention i am paying anyway lets see how we get on

[Nocky]

Aston Villa vs Club Atlético Central Córdoba

The absolute sinking feeling when I had a look to see who was managing Cordoba to find out it's Will is just sickening. Shall we assume he is going to be playing 5-1-2-0-2C or do we think he thinks that we think he's going to be doing that so play something different for once? It's certainly a tricky one...

The two sides are fairly level in defence but we have the advantage with a better GK, midfield and attack so we should really be winning this one at home. It is just whether we can find the goal to get past the inevitable five defenders and play a tactic that doesn't give them the counter.

We made the quarter finals of this competition comfortable last year but went out then. We want to go further this year and, though it's a long group stage - it's important to win at home and get off to a good start

[Fenris]

Brentford - Los Angeles FC

i thought i was out of this proves how much attention i am paying anyway lets see how we get on

Aye, we ballsed up qualification, was only meant to have the semi finals!

[Nocky]

Newcastle vs Al Alhay
We had a great run in this competition last year making the Quarter Finals and only losing on penalties to eventual winners Liverpool in that one.

We start this time around aiming to go even better but have a tricky trip to Newcastle first up. The Magpies failed in their promotion bid last season but showed their mettle in winning the league cup and are favourites for promotion from Div 2 this time around. We will have to be at our very best to beat them. Neither side has any injury concerns so we'll be at full strength but, in all honesty, a draw and a point would be a very acceptable result for us here