AC Beleriand vs
Doriath
[Projected formation.
Doriath in silver and blue;
AC Beleriand in red and white.]
Formation:
It is apparent just from the formations that Doriath's otherwise talented midfield would face a tough challenge. Their projected formation, a 4-2-3-1 (yes, they haven't used it in the friendlies, but they are expected to use it when the tournament starts) would feature a central midfield triangle of Galadhon (holding), Daeron (deep-lying playmaker) and Nellas (attacking). All are fine passers, true, but they would be outnumbered if AC Beleriand sticks to their formation of choice in the friendlies, a 4-4-2 diamond. Beren, and, occasionally, Denethor, do drift towards the flanks when they have the ball, but when AC Beleriand is playing defence their central four pack the midfield and help deny the ball, or at least prevent the incisive forward passes. Doriath could call on Beleg or Lúthien to help in the midfield battle, but they would also be needed to stay in the wings and give fullbacks Fingolfin and Ecthelion second thoughts about moving forward and helping in the attack. So a tough choice for the two otherwise excellent Doriath wingers.
Tactics:
Doriath will most likely be more conservative in this tie than was their wont in the friendlies. Melian has a habit of pushing forward to help in the midfield or in the attack, resulting in a goal and two assists in the last Arda Cup, but leaving Saeros, Galathil, and Nimloth to deal with Fëanor and Eöl (with the possibility of Beren rushing from the midfield) would be suicidal. They need their best defender to stay in the back line, even if it means denying their midfield much needed help. Their attacks would come from deep (with Daeron sending through passes whenever he sees a gap in the defence) or from the wings (Beleg and Lúthien sending crosses for Mablung or cutting inside to take shots themselves); unfortunately for them, AC Beleriand has both covered--Ulrad and Beren could take turns harrying Daeron, and Fingolfin and Ecthelion won't likely be outfoxed by the Doriath wingers.
There would only be one thing on AC Beleriand's mind: let their attacking talent do their work. Two defenders would not be enough to guard Fëanor (especially not the ones from this team), leaving Eöl free to wander around looking for space to work in (like he did in the last Arda Cup when Túrin, Húrin, and Beleg occupied the defence's attention.) Beren and Denethor's runs from midfield would be ever-present dangers, and even Fingolfin and Ecthelion might be tempted to join the party, especially if Beleg and Lúthien decide to help their midfield or become lax in their marking.
Doriath does have one ace in the hole, something that they've pulled off only once in the friendlies--but it worked effectively when they did. In the play leading to Doriath's second goal in their friendly vs Inter Beleriand, Mablung dropped deep almost to the midfield. He had been sending a few threatening shots from long range before that time, and Inter Beleriand defender Haldad followed to mark him. At once, Daeron released Beleg, who charged into the gap, behind the Inter Beleriand defence, and the Strong Boot calmly converted his one-on-one. Excellent finishing from Beleg and superb passing from Daeron, but it was Mablung playing the false striker that gave them an opening.
Anfauglith vs
Nargothrond
[Projected formation.
Anfauglith in black and brown;
Nargothrond in green and yellow.]
Formation:
Anfauglith's 4-5-1 (with Galdor and Gundor as nominal wingers, although they've almost never attacked from the flanks in the friendlies) supposedly outnumbers Nargothrond's 4-3-3 in the midfield, but comparing the quality of the squads's midfielders (as well as considering the possibility of Finrod dropping deep as he initiates attacks), Nargothrond's three (or four) can hold their own against Anfauglith's five. Nargothrond's trident of Finrod, Glaurung, and Gwindor in their 4-3-3 would give the Balrogs second thought about advancing to help on the offence, while Anfauglith's lone forward Thuringwethil would use her strength, pace, and aerial superiority to press single-handedly Nargothrond's struggling back four.
Tactics:
It seems to be a clear battle of offence and defence. Anfauglith would defend with rows of five and four, harassing the ball-handler at every opportunity and sending long passes towards Thuringwethil as soon as they recover the ball. They will count on the vampire's array of skills and the disarray of the Nargothrond back line in transition to score. On the other hand Nargothrond would use its variety of offensive manoeuvres to crack the Anfauglith ranks open, as well as the varying talents of their attacking three. In Glaurung they have an excellent target of crosses and a player who can hold the ball up well. In Gwindor they have a pacey winger who can either dash past his marker before crossing or cut inside to take a shot himself. And in Finrod they have a playmaker who can set the pace of Nargothrond's attack as well as be a threat himself. From the midfield Orodreth and Finduilas have shown some sparks of attacking flair--Orodreth's occasional runs to the right flank to overlap with Gwindor helped overload Gondolin and Hithlum's left back on several instances in the friendlies.
One thing the Nargothrond attack cannot count on is help from their back four. None of them have the attacking instinct of a Fingolfin or a Morgoth, and, against Thuringwethil, they wouldn't have the leisure to do so anyway. Speaking of defence, Gwindor and Finrod must keep pressing their Balrog markers; giving one of them a chance to help Thuringwethil on the attack would stretch their back line to the breaking point. The midfielders would have a similar task of marking Galdor and Gundor, even if the sons of Hador are not as threatening on offence.