Day five already. The 2019 CM9798 Cup is starting to heat up and with every team having now played at least once, we’re actually at the stage where teams could begin to be all but eliminated. Our defending champion is in trouble but he has a home game today to  get himself back on track. Elsewhere, the difficult to predict Group C will also need some sorting out. Here’s how the tables stand heading into today’s games:

As mentioned, Group C is rather tight. PSG Mashup don’t have a game today so they’ll be praying for draws. Let’s see if they get them.

Group C

Exeter Gently vs Quickly Kevin

Kieron Dyer misses this one for Ross so it’s a pair of Scottish wing backs as they look to bounce back from defeat to Sporting Po-Taitos last time out.

Quickly Kevin United welcome back Matt Le Tissier and have opted to form a sort of barrier behind him, sensing the need to tighten things up away from home. Will it work?

Here’s the video. Words are below if you prefer some suspense.

Despite a bright start from Quickly Kevin, the game soon settled into a familiar pattern of blue pressure. Hernan Crespo thought he had opened the scoring only to be denied by a linesman’s flag. Exeter Gently didn’t have to wait much longer to take the lead though, Sanchez Fernando slamming home after Crespo was denied.

Quicky Kevin abandoned their formation to go to a less conservative approach and although they improved, there were few genuine threats of an equaliser. Kirovski was thrown on as the kitchen sink was being prepared but Fernando added a second to make it 2-0 and effectively kill the game. A great result for Ross and 6 points after three games puts him in a strong position indeed.

Of course Quickly Kevin have only played twice so we’ll see if they can bounce back at home to Sporting Po-Taitos on Sunday.

Speaking of which…

Real Mathdrid vs Sporting Po-Taitos

Another clash between two sides on three points and Real Mathdrid and it’s fair to say Dario Hubner made a huge difference to Dave’s team on his return from injury. He captains the side again here.

Rob Tait made an impressive start last time out  which is not surprising with this front 4. If you can afford leave Oli on the bench you’re obviously doing well.

Video killed the average blogger (Scroll down for words).

Dave Mathieson had his lads absolutely raring to go and Luis Enrique laid on the opener for Djorkaeff after just four minutes. That great opening work was undone when Chiesa raced through to equalise and silence the home faithful. The rest of the half was surprisingly cagey and the score remained 1-1 at the break.

Would either side be able to take control? There looked to be little sign of a winner but after Dave made some tactical changes on 69 minutes, a corner on 70 brought the goal. Djorkaeff curled a great ball to the back post and Hubner was there to head in his third goal of the tournament. Some extreme pressure in the final minutes came from Rob’s men and a flurry of chances in stoppage time were repelled by Christophe Revault who took man of the match. A vital win for Dave that means Group C remains anybody’s ball game.

Captain Hubner with the vital intervention.

Very difficult to pick two qualifiers here. Dave seems to be in good shape as he is the only team to win away and with a final home game to come, that must make him a favourite. Quickly Kevin host Sporting Po-Taitos next week whilst PSG will return to action, hosting Exeter Gently.

Off we go to Group D then…

Group D

A rough start for FPLHints as he has suffered two heavy away losses so far. Only a win here will keep the defending champion in the tournament. His opponent is also winless, albeit from only one game.

FPLHints vs S4ooters Outlaws

It’s a big gamble to play Dion Dublin as a marauding midfielder but that’s where we are. Otherwise, it’s a strong team.

S4ooter has opted to switch to a 5-3-2 for some solidity. John Barnes plays as a left wing back as the lack of defensive options threatens to derail this team.

Here’s the video but first, an apology. I missed the first 23 minutes. Was there a goal? Words below.

Yes, there was. Marco Di Vaio got it for the away side. The home side really struggled to make an impression here and opted to switch the formation up to try and wrestle back some control. They still went into half time trailing though.

The second half became a frantic affair as FPLHints went in search of the goals to keep them in the tournament. An injury to Michael Laudrup might have disrupted their creativity but with Dublin back up front, his last minute shot was spilled by Walker and Raul scored his third of the tournament to salvage a point. Sadly though this was too little, too late.

A much better second half but it does mean that their game next week will just be for pride. S4ooters meanwhile kept their hopes alive by picking up their first point in their second game. A couple of wins would be enough to take them through, in theory.

Which leads us to the last game of the day…

Rewind Rovers vs Criterion Club

It’s feast or famine in this fixture. The home side have no points after losing their one and only game 5-0 at home. Criterion Club meanwhile have 6 points and could seal a place in the knockouts with a win here. Dan is unchanged for this one, his direct, physical style could cause any team problems given the chance.

Here’s Criterion Club, playing their usual formation. I don’t know why I chose to take this screenshot without the team and subs down the left.

Final video of the day! Or…words below.

A great start for Matt as Ruben Sosa ran through and gave his side an early lead. The unlikely figure of David Batty popped up with the equaliser for Rewind Rovers and then Nicolas Anelka turned the match on it’s head. A deserved half time lead for Rovers.

Few could have predicted the second half. Whatever Dan did at half time really worked. Maybe it was Matt removing his defensive midfielder but it became a party for the home side. Kanchelskis made it 3-1 straight after the break before big Dunc made it 4 on 63 minutes. An odd finish saw Les Ferdinand make it 5 before Anelka picked up a red card for a second yellow card following a handball.

Wow.

Not many would have predicted this result before hand but it pulls Rewind Rovers into contention whilst Bells United enjoyed a very good day despite not playing. FPL Hints is eliminated.

That’s all for day five, another action packed day. We’ll be back on Thursday with more from Groups A and B.