Season 25 1st Division Preview
Posted: May 12th, 2019, 1:48 pm
Note that all predictions are based on subjective opinion that is not intented to insult or slander any team or player.
Having said that let's get started. Also note that this only covers the first half of the teams - Second half of teams will be written tomorrow.
Welcome to my Season 25 Previews of the 1st division of the FM Haxball League.
Before we start here is an overview of what I'll be going through:
- I will write a short piece regarding the status of each of the 12 teams in the 1st division
- I will then proceed to give a brief tactical overview of how they will set-up
- Lastly I will give my personal prediction on where these teams will stand when the season finishes, by indicating a tier rating as following (Upper - Middle - Lower)
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(1) Blue Panthers:
Blue Panthers saw themselves finish 9th out of 12th in the previous season, and whilst this may seem bad, it is made even worse considering that 2 of the bottom placed teams were disbanded. Despite the poor finish I do believe that Blue panthers has some quality players, namely Pero Que and new signing Gado. They are still a team who could show some surprises like when they beat Angry bulls.
Tactically, I think this team will look to play it simple - Their best bet comming with chances through counter attacks or when there is spaces they can exploit, as I do not believe they are likely to penetrate a good defence because their speed of play is not at the level of the top teams. (LOWER TIER)
(2) Bronze4Life:
This is an interesting team that is comming straight from the second division having finished second last season. Initially this team looked like strong favorites to win the league last season, but were overshadowed by H2K. On paper they looked like the strongest team in the division but there has recently been some changes and it looks like their starting 4 is going to change. I believe that this team is a strong team that can provide good competition to its opponents, but I do not believe it can compete with the big guns.
Tactically, with experienced key players such as muris9 and SK1NNY I do believe they can penetrate defences with their passing play. They will probably look to create the very standard triangle formation in the offensive and look to pick apart teams when they do manage to have the ball. (MIDDLE TIER)
(3) Excellents:
Another team who performed poorly in the previous season, finishing just above Blue Panthers as 8th place due to goal difference. Having said that they still conceeded more goals than they scored, and like Blue panthers, the challenge for Excellents will be to try to conceede less goals while also providing an attacking threat. This all-polish side will have to rely on it's more experience players to get the neccesary results, like when they beat TPP 2-0.
Tactically, I think that they will rely on more of a defensive approach while looking up to La Sombra for the creativity in attack. Similarily i believe they will go for a triangle formation in attack with the goalkeeper not being too fussed with helping out. (LOWER TIER)
(4) FEAR:
A suprising addition to this seasons 1st division as FEAR were in the relegation zone and thought to be returning to the 2nd division. However due to a vast majority of teams in the 1st division disbanding, FEAR will continue their stay. However a wide variety of changes need to occur if the team will have any hope of remaining their this season, following a string of poor results and only 3 games won - The lowest out of all teams (even the disbanded ones). They will look for the experience of aMp to help them get some results but realistically i don't see how they can compete with most of the teams in div 1.
Tactically they will probably take some risks in defence which they have shown they are willing to do, and then try to take the few chances that they have. They might be able to surprise a team or two if they can do defend well and score on their opportunities. (LOWER TIER)
(5) Guns N' Moses:
An all-star packed team with quality players throughout the squad, Guns N' Moses will hope to improve their 3rd placed standing from last season, which although is impressive, might not be what they would have been hoping for with the quality in the team, being beaten to 1st and 2nd place by Seeders and ArchNemesis respectively. P4ER returns to the team, and with the help of Vak, SAKY and Meyer they will look to claim the title they are longing for. I do however believe there are a couple of teams this season that will really give GnM a run for their money.
Tactically they will try to involve the goalkeeper in their attacks, but not with intention of making risky plays, but rather when the opportunity is there. They will then try to penetrate defenses with fast intriquite passing combinations. (UPPER TIER)
(6) H2K
What can be said about H2K? Well one thing is they defied most people's expectations by winning the 2nd division. This team has enjoyed a brilliant spell after being rejected entrance to the league multiple times. Key player FEAR has however left the team and this could be a big loss to H2K. Another thing to consider, is the quality of the 1st division is vastly superior to what H2K has faced in the past, and this could have a big impact on how the team will perform.
Tactically they have a strong goalkeeper in Rizolli who will be hoping to make some cleansheets, and with the aid of Lozano, they will try to enforce their own combination play versus their opponents but might end up having to defend most of the time. (MIDDLE TIER)
Having said that let's get started. Also note that this only covers the first half of the teams - Second half of teams will be written tomorrow.
Welcome to my Season 25 Previews of the 1st division of the FM Haxball League.
Before we start here is an overview of what I'll be going through:
- I will write a short piece regarding the status of each of the 12 teams in the 1st division
- I will then proceed to give a brief tactical overview of how they will set-up
- Lastly I will give my personal prediction on where these teams will stand when the season finishes, by indicating a tier rating as following (Upper - Middle - Lower)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Blue Panthers:
Blue Panthers saw themselves finish 9th out of 12th in the previous season, and whilst this may seem bad, it is made even worse considering that 2 of the bottom placed teams were disbanded. Despite the poor finish I do believe that Blue panthers has some quality players, namely Pero Que and new signing Gado. They are still a team who could show some surprises like when they beat Angry bulls.
Tactically, I think this team will look to play it simple - Their best bet comming with chances through counter attacks or when there is spaces they can exploit, as I do not believe they are likely to penetrate a good defence because their speed of play is not at the level of the top teams. (LOWER TIER)
(2) Bronze4Life:
This is an interesting team that is comming straight from the second division having finished second last season. Initially this team looked like strong favorites to win the league last season, but were overshadowed by H2K. On paper they looked like the strongest team in the division but there has recently been some changes and it looks like their starting 4 is going to change. I believe that this team is a strong team that can provide good competition to its opponents, but I do not believe it can compete with the big guns.
Tactically, with experienced key players such as muris9 and SK1NNY I do believe they can penetrate defences with their passing play. They will probably look to create the very standard triangle formation in the offensive and look to pick apart teams when they do manage to have the ball. (MIDDLE TIER)
(3) Excellents:
Another team who performed poorly in the previous season, finishing just above Blue Panthers as 8th place due to goal difference. Having said that they still conceeded more goals than they scored, and like Blue panthers, the challenge for Excellents will be to try to conceede less goals while also providing an attacking threat. This all-polish side will have to rely on it's more experience players to get the neccesary results, like when they beat TPP 2-0.
Tactically, I think that they will rely on more of a defensive approach while looking up to La Sombra for the creativity in attack. Similarily i believe they will go for a triangle formation in attack with the goalkeeper not being too fussed with helping out. (LOWER TIER)
(4) FEAR:
A suprising addition to this seasons 1st division as FEAR were in the relegation zone and thought to be returning to the 2nd division. However due to a vast majority of teams in the 1st division disbanding, FEAR will continue their stay. However a wide variety of changes need to occur if the team will have any hope of remaining their this season, following a string of poor results and only 3 games won - The lowest out of all teams (even the disbanded ones). They will look for the experience of aMp to help them get some results but realistically i don't see how they can compete with most of the teams in div 1.
Tactically they will probably take some risks in defence which they have shown they are willing to do, and then try to take the few chances that they have. They might be able to surprise a team or two if they can do defend well and score on their opportunities. (LOWER TIER)
(5) Guns N' Moses:
An all-star packed team with quality players throughout the squad, Guns N' Moses will hope to improve their 3rd placed standing from last season, which although is impressive, might not be what they would have been hoping for with the quality in the team, being beaten to 1st and 2nd place by Seeders and ArchNemesis respectively. P4ER returns to the team, and with the help of Vak, SAKY and Meyer they will look to claim the title they are longing for. I do however believe there are a couple of teams this season that will really give GnM a run for their money.
Tactically they will try to involve the goalkeeper in their attacks, but not with intention of making risky plays, but rather when the opportunity is there. They will then try to penetrate defenses with fast intriquite passing combinations. (UPPER TIER)
(6) H2K
What can be said about H2K? Well one thing is they defied most people's expectations by winning the 2nd division. This team has enjoyed a brilliant spell after being rejected entrance to the league multiple times. Key player FEAR has however left the team and this could be a big loss to H2K. Another thing to consider, is the quality of the 1st division is vastly superior to what H2K has faced in the past, and this could have a big impact on how the team will perform.
Tactically they have a strong goalkeeper in Rizolli who will be hoping to make some cleansheets, and with the aid of Lozano, they will try to enforce their own combination play versus their opponents but might end up having to defend most of the time. (MIDDLE TIER)