Youth Cup Permutations (by Stephen Beddows)

Group A:
The scenario is pretty simple in Group A, Liverpool have already won
the group thanks to some suspect team picking in quite a few cases and
they will be delighted to go into the last game knowing they will play
a 3rd place side in Round A at Prenton Park. Galatasaray will also
finish 2nd but what is interesting is at present Gala are not in the
top 4 2nd place sides and as such will require a win to potentially
win a home tie in round 2. Atletico Madrid (Youth Cup winners in
Season 1) are guaranteed a 3rd place qualification spot and at present
will be facing Borussia Dortmund away but all that could change
dependent on results of other 3rd place and group winners on the last
game day.




Group B:
An intriguing group this one with Leverkusen clearly having won the
group and at present are 5th best group winners so will face no doubt
one of the stronger 3rd place finishers. The fight for 2nd and 3rd
really could not be tighter in truth. If Cruzeiro win it is likely
that they will go through to round 2, whilst Augsburg have to win and
hope Cruzeiro lose to stand any chance. The bookies make it 1/10 shot
that the vodkas will be flowing in Germany Saturday night as it is
likely that Mounchengladbach will go through.

Group C:
Another group with endless possibilities this one. Real Madrid have
won and will play a 3rd place finisher (yet to be decided) and Aston
Villa will progress even if they lose in all probability but the game
between Standard Leige and Malaga is an interesting match. Leige at
present are outside the top 8 3rd place sides (just) so realistically
a win will give them a decent chance of progressing, Malaga too have a
“chance” win well and they could mathematically creep into the best
3rd place sides, a draw in truth will probably not be good enough for
Leige so expect fast flowing attacking football. Paris have
disappointed again but should be noted for being excellent
participants as always.

Group D:
This is one of the least complicated groups. PSV have won the group
owing to Olympiakos having completed their fixtures, but a PSV victory
may give them an easier tie in round 2 as 3 points could push them
higher up. Levante face PSV and will finish 3rd come what may barring
a massive victory. They are also guaranteed a place as one of the best
3rd place sides so it remains to be seen if Levante will experiment
resting his better players ahead of their first taste of Youth
knock-out football whoever that may be. CSKA and Hertha have had
difficult Youth Cups and it will simply be a case of playing for pride
and avoiding the wooden spoon in the second match in Group D.

Group E:
With Schalke (last season 2nd round) out it is West Ham who have
everything to play for in a match up at the Nou Camp. The Hammers are
currently clinging onto a place in the top 8 3rd place sides but face
a difficult task knowing they really need a point at least to
guarantee knock-out football. Bayern Munich on the other hand are
surely the team everyone wants to avoid in round two as they currently
have a relatively weak points total in respect of everyone else but
should expect to boost their points total against Chievo Verona in
match day 10.

Group F:
Perhaps the biggest game of Gameday 10 will be in Italy where 3rd
place Sampdoria face 4th place Villarreal (I know its messed up atm)
Both sides know that 3 points “could” mean knock out football come the
following Saturday, yet a win might not be enough for either to finish
in the Top 8 3rd place sides. A draw is almost certainly not going to
be good enough for either side in truth. The other game is in someways
meaningless as Werder can’t finish any higher and neither can
Feyenoord.

Group G:
This is an intriguing group with an interesting set of last day
fixtures with something riding on both games. Top spot is secure for
Chelsea but they face a side currently in 3rd and who are NOT
mathematically yet guaranteed a Top 8 3rd place spot. Sassuolo
meanwhile have to hope Twente lose or draw and that they beat the
constant rule breaking Sporting who might actually remember to set
their side next Saturday to ensure they finish 2nd and if they do win
they could possibly get a home tie by being 1 of the Top 4 runner’s up
to receive home matches in the knock outs.

Group H:
Juventus boss referred to this seasons Youth Cup as 1 of 2 halves with
Juventus (Winners in Season 2 and therefore defending champions)
starting poorly but they have regrouped and now realistically have a
good chance of finishing 2nd if Dortmund can do they a favour. However
it is far from straight forward, Dortmund face Valencia and if the
Spainards can win they will win the group at Dortmunds expense and
force Juventus into 3rd and a tie that none of the group winners would
want. Safe to say that Juventus will be more concerned about the game
in Germany than beating Basel which they should expect to do at a
canter but do not write off Basel who would love to finish their
campaign by spoiling the chances of the defending champions.

Group I:
Huge game for Athletic Club in Italy where a win could see them
qualify for knock out youth football. Milan meanwhile will want to get
the 3 points to ensure that they retain home advantage in the knock
out stage as 1 of the 4 best runner’s up, safe to say Milan are
unlikely to be experimental in what has been a good Youth Cup campaign
so far. Shakthar and Espanyol have both been massive credits to the
Youth Cup this season and both will hope to end on a high with a win
in Ukraine.

Group J:
Fiorentina had started so well and like in previous campaigns they
refused to leak goals but of late they have struggled and even though
they are definitely through a defeat against Celta could condemn them
to finishing 3rd. Sao Paulo could pull of a miracle and beat Napoli
opening up a chance for Fiorentina to win the group but this is still
unclear.

Group K:
Last years surprise side Lokomotiv have once again done very well in
the Youth Cup and have won the group at a canter. Anderletcht will
finish 2nd come what may and may choose to help local rivals Club
Brugge by playing a weakened side in the last group game. Newcastle
Utd meanwhile have really disappointed this season and they have to
win to have any chance of progressing this season against the already
eliminated Beskitas.

Group L:
Hamburg have won the group already and Sunderland have finished 2nd
meaning both sides could choose to rest players in the last game. Man
Utd  have a lot to prove I this seasons competition and a 3rd place
finish is guaranteed but they could still not qualify if they were to
lose to Hellas Verona at Old Trafford.