2026-07-28, 10:04 AM - Word count:
Game 1:
Club de Futbol Catalunya vs Shanghai Dragons Football Club
Season Record: Have not played
Predicted Winner: Shanghai Dragons
Score: 3-1
Catalunya: At the majors division 1 level Catalunya is currently sitting in a relegation slot, dead last. They're averaging 1600 TPE per majors player with no real weak spot. They have nobody below 1400 TPE, and two players over 1800 in one midfielder and one defender. They're on the lower side of TPE for a division 1 club, but beat out every division 2 club except one in that department... you'll never guess which team has more average TPE. They're doing okay at scoring goals with 18, 3 more than last place but near a couple other teams, but have given up 27, a distant last place in division one. They have no forwards but a smattering of midfielders so I assume some are playing secondary positions. As it stands, the roster seems to be passable but lacks any real high points outside of one defender.
Shanghai: Shanghai is sitting at the top spot in majors division 2, currently slated to take over Catalunya's spot. They've been one of two dominant teams at the division 2 level, with 39 goals for (most) and 21 goals allowed (least). As alluded to in the last paragraph, they have the highest average TPE at the level, and more than Catalunya, with an impressive 1767 average. They have several players over 1900 TPE and one, Thomas Hohenhahn, up over 2100! They have a formidable attack.
I expect Shanghai to keep scoring goals against the Catalunya defense. They're averaging just over 3 goals per game against worse competition, but I don't see why they can't keep it up. The Catalunya offense hasn't inspired confidence throughout the season, but I think they can get one in the net.
Game 2:
Club Deportivo Tenochtitlan vs Uniao Sao Paulo
Season Record: 3-1 USP, 2-1 USP
Predicted Winner: Uniao Sao Paulo
Score: 2-1
Tenochtitlan: Much like Catalunya, Tenochtitlan currently sits in a relegation slot. I believe they'll at least get the chance to play for the spot in the top level. They've only managed 15 goals for, but held opponents to 20 goals against. Expect a low scoring game, then. They have most of their TPE on the defensive side - which explains a lot - with 2 midfielders over 1900 alongside a goal keeper and a defender. Two of the three forwards are below their average TPE of 1741 for the team.
Sao Paulo: Sao Paulo is pushing 1800 TPE on average, and therefore have the slight edge. The one weak spot for the team is the starting goal keeper, who only has 1200 TPE. That might help explain their 6 losses despite such high TPE everywhere else on the field. There's a very strong defense here, otherwise, with 3 defenders over 2,000 TPE. They've allowed 18 goals (second best), but only scored 19. I guess when the offense is on the defense isn't and vice versa which leads to 6 wins and 6 losses. They'll have to hope to put everything together in this game.
Sao Paulo won the other two matchups, holding Tenochtitlan to only one goal each time. I'm not one to break with tradition, so let's serve up another 2-1 victory!
Club de Futbol Catalunya vs Shanghai Dragons Football Club
Season Record: Have not played
Predicted Winner: Shanghai Dragons
Score: 3-1
Catalunya: At the majors division 1 level Catalunya is currently sitting in a relegation slot, dead last. They're averaging 1600 TPE per majors player with no real weak spot. They have nobody below 1400 TPE, and two players over 1800 in one midfielder and one defender. They're on the lower side of TPE for a division 1 club, but beat out every division 2 club except one in that department... you'll never guess which team has more average TPE. They're doing okay at scoring goals with 18, 3 more than last place but near a couple other teams, but have given up 27, a distant last place in division one. They have no forwards but a smattering of midfielders so I assume some are playing secondary positions. As it stands, the roster seems to be passable but lacks any real high points outside of one defender.
Shanghai: Shanghai is sitting at the top spot in majors division 2, currently slated to take over Catalunya's spot. They've been one of two dominant teams at the division 2 level, with 39 goals for (most) and 21 goals allowed (least). As alluded to in the last paragraph, they have the highest average TPE at the level, and more than Catalunya, with an impressive 1767 average. They have several players over 1900 TPE and one, Thomas Hohenhahn, up over 2100! They have a formidable attack.
I expect Shanghai to keep scoring goals against the Catalunya defense. They're averaging just over 3 goals per game against worse competition, but I don't see why they can't keep it up. The Catalunya offense hasn't inspired confidence throughout the season, but I think they can get one in the net.
Game 2:
Club Deportivo Tenochtitlan vs Uniao Sao Paulo
Season Record: 3-1 USP, 2-1 USP
Predicted Winner: Uniao Sao Paulo
Score: 2-1
Tenochtitlan: Much like Catalunya, Tenochtitlan currently sits in a relegation slot. I believe they'll at least get the chance to play for the spot in the top level. They've only managed 15 goals for, but held opponents to 20 goals against. Expect a low scoring game, then. They have most of their TPE on the defensive side - which explains a lot - with 2 midfielders over 1900 alongside a goal keeper and a defender. Two of the three forwards are below their average TPE of 1741 for the team.
Sao Paulo: Sao Paulo is pushing 1800 TPE on average, and therefore have the slight edge. The one weak spot for the team is the starting goal keeper, who only has 1200 TPE. That might help explain their 6 losses despite such high TPE everywhere else on the field. There's a very strong defense here, otherwise, with 3 defenders over 2,000 TPE. They've allowed 18 goals (second best), but only scored 19. I guess when the offense is on the defense isn't and vice versa which leads to 6 wins and 6 losses. They'll have to hope to put everything together in this game.
Sao Paulo won the other two matchups, holding Tenochtitlan to only one goal each time. I'm not one to break with tradition, so let's serve up another 2-1 victory!
