Today sees the start of the second round of games.....

 

 

 

We have yet to see a goal in Group A, so, for my stating the obvious comment of the day, all teams are tied on one point! The game in New Jersey is scheduled for midday and it will be played in 30+ degrees and with the threat of a storm. Advantage there for the Brazilian side as they have already played in the stadium and they were incredibly unlucky not to have beaten Porto in that opener, having created over 2.0 xGF and 39 TIPA's. They also have a big and competitive squad and Brazilian clubs are not only used to playing every 3-4 days, it is very much normal for them. Add in that Al Ahly are not used to this level of competition, tired in their opener and lost their top scorer and joint top assist provider to injury. They did create a whopping 5 BC's against Inter Miami, but all in the opening 45 minutes, in the second half it was 0-3 for BC's and Messi hit the woodwork twice. A game of two halves!

 

The weather in Atlanta will be even hotter, stickier and stormier and played in mid afternoon, but they do have a retractable roof there, so could opt to close it, but that in itself would make for odd conditions. Inter have played in this stadium three times in the last 9 months and won 2-1 here in Atlanta in March, so will be very familiar with surroundings.

 

 

 

Some respite from the weather!

 

Sounders are at home where they have already lost to Botafogo and they meet another pointless team in Atletico who were badly beaten (4-0) by PSG. That was played in much tougher conditions and the La Liga giants played the last 20 minutes with 10 men. Atleti would have felt humiliated by the margin of that defeat and with cool and cloudy conditions in Seattle I feel we can expect a high energy and upbeat performance, anything less that three points could see them eliminated with a game still to play. Sounders are in a different position as the level of expectation on them was and remains lower and playing the European champions (PSG) on Matchday 3 at Lumen Field will still be a very big occasion.

Having said that all sports games in Seattle are fun, crowds always bring the vibe and we can expect full effort for 90+ minutes from Sounders.

 

The two matchday winners face off in early evening at the Rose Bowl where PSG have already played and conditions should be ok, 24-25 degrees and a light breeze, some humidity and the air quality is never great in the LA area. But nothing to stop these two putting on a show and that will be expected of PSG and of themselves every time they take to the field. PSG have scored 12 goals without reply in winning their last three starts, their opener here and two cup finals, but they had conceded in 9 of 10 prior to that, Atletico had two big chances, one with 10 men and Botafogo are going to need one to keep this close.

 

I have no real confidence in the CWC as a competition and we have had bad luck with several games, especially the Chelsea and Real Madrid fixtures. But I like Palmeiras and expect them to come on really strong after the break and I am hoping that Atletico just go for it, as they are a class above, but Sounders will try for 100 minutes. That could have some bearing on how the late game plays out, but PSG can really only play one way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today sees the start of the second round of games.....

 

 

 

We have yet to see a goal in Group A, so, for my stating the obvious comment of the day, all teams are tied on one point! The game in New Jersey is scheduled for midday and it will be played in 30+ degrees and with the threat of a storm. Advantage there for the Brazilian side as they have already played in the stadium and they were incredibly unlucky not to have beaten Porto in that opener, having created over 2.0 xGF and 39 TIPA's. They also have a big and competitive squad and Brazilian clubs are not only used to playing every 3-4 days, it is very much normal for them. Add in that Al Ahly are not used to this level of competition, tired in their opener and lost their top scorer and joint top assist provider to injury. They did create a whopping 5 BC's against Inter Miami, but all in the opening 45 minutes, in the second half it was 0-3 for BC's and Messi hit the woodwork twice. A game of two halves!

 

The weather in Atlanta will be even hotter, stickier and stormier and played in mid afternoon, but they do have a retractable roof there, so could opt to close it, but that in itself would make for odd conditions. Inter have played in this stadium three times in the last 9 months and won 2-1 here in Atlanta in March, so will be very familiar with surroundings.

 

 

 

Some respite from the weather!

 

Sounders are at home where they have already lost to Botafogo and they meet another pointless team in Atletico who were badly beaten (4-0) by PSG. That was played in much tougher conditions and the La Liga giants played the last 20 minutes with 10 men. Atleti would have felt humiliated by the margin of that defeat and with cool and cloudy conditions in Seattle I feel we can expect a high energy and upbeat performance, anything less that three points could see them eliminated with a game still to play. Sounders are in a different position as the level of expectation on them was and remains lower and playing the European champions (PSG) on Matchday 3 at Lumen Field will still be a very big occasion.

Having said that all sports games in Seattle are fun, crowds always bring the vibe and we can expect full effort for 90+ minutes from Sounders.

 

The two matchday winners face off in early evening at the Rose Bowl where PSG have already played and conditions should be ok, 24-25 degrees and a light breeze, some humidity and the air quality is never great in the LA area. But nothing to stop these two putting on a show and that will be expected of PSG and of themselves every time they take to the field. PSG have scored 12 goals without reply in winning their last three starts, their opener here and two cup finals, but they had conceded in 9 of 10 prior to that, Atletico had two big chances, one with 10 men and Botafogo are going to need one to keep this close.

 

I have no real confidence in the CWC as a competition and we have had bad luck with several games, especially the Chelsea and Real Madrid fixtures. But I like Palmeiras and expect them to come on really strong after the break and I am hoping that Atletico just go for it, as they are a class above, but Sounders will try for 100 minutes. That could have some bearing on how the late game plays out, but PSG can really only play one way.

 

 

 

 

Good luck!