LIVE! ePremier League knockouts!
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Heat. Heat. Oh my Brandon FG, what are you doing here? Well, you know I live in Manchester and it's the E Premier League finals. Thought I'd come here and show you around. All right, then. Let's go. I'm telling you, this is the spot, mate. And my boys are winning it again this year. Whoa, hold on. You're forgetting that Tex doesn't play for Man City anymore. He plays for Leads. And also, the Sunderland duo are unbelievable. Also, my lads Brighton are flying. You're also forgetting that Aston have got Tom Stokes. He's won it before. >> I'm assuming a lot of people will be back in Salts. And here he is, low driven outside of the boot finish. Tom Stokes. >> Told you the champions are here. Give over. London's coming. Crystal Palace, West Ham, Chelsea. Forget Spurs. They've got Tom and they've been incredible. Quite a mate. Where are we? This is the National Football Museum. There's legends everywhere. And the history in here is incredible. And speaking of football clubs of history, N Forester got a good chance this year. Come on you Reds. There's been a few Portuguese legends back at that stadium over the years, but not as many as there are in this one. It's hard to pick from them. Jafonso, he's at City. The Wolves, they've got two. And here we go. It's time for the E Premier League finals. Hello and welcome to the E Premier League finals. Myself and Brandon had a great time having a look around Manchester. We're here in Manchester and we're delighted to be joined by Mr. Richard Bley, how are you? >> Yeah, I'm from Manchester as well. I must have missed that uh little invitation that went out. >> You've got to do your research, mate. I did research. Saw Brandon was on the train, met him there, took him round. We're in Manchester now. The stakes are even higher. >> Yeah, the worst place. We actually met in Manchester as well. So, sorry, Rich. Um, next season now. >> Always next season. No, stay with us cuz we're here for the knockouts. Of course, this is the Erem League knockout stage as you said, there is so much on the line this weekend. Are Manchester City going to do it again three years in a row or is there going to be a new winner, FG? Well, we'll have to wait and see. Manchester City, they'll be in action a little bit later on this weekend tomorrow. But the stakes are high because all 20 Premier League clubs are here, but we're changing things up, Rich. It's aggregate score lines. Each player is playing at different times. Question for you. Would you rather play first or second? >> Oh, I always second. I'm I'm the I'm the pressure man. Give me the opportunity to win the game for us. >> That would mean you would be going first then. Are you confident? >> I wouldn't want him over my shoulder either. We ping all the pressure on which we've got to say both players have to play their part now. If you weren't good in the groups, you have to step up now, FG. >> And this is the amazing format we've got. Let's take a look, shall we? At the gauntlet bracket, that's what we're going to be calling it. It's knockout FC. You can see round one. They're the first round of fixtures, but they're the players who didn't really do great in the group stages. >> Yeah. So, this is how it works. Knockout round one, they finished fifth and fourth in the group. Knockout round two, they finish third in the groups. Knockout round three, you finish second in your group. and knockout round four or in the quarterfinals. That's the prize for topping your group. >> Topping your group indeed. It's hard to look away from them, those teams that are already in the quarterfinals. My question to you, as we see the huge names we're going to introduce tomorrow, can somebody stop one of those quarterfinalists from going all the way? >> I mean, we're speaking a lot about Manchester City here, aren't we? We're also forgetting the Blackat Sunderland. First time in the Premier League. They picked up a Brazilian duo. They've looked good, haven't they? They haven't stopped scoring goals. I'll tell you what's looked good as well. The SBCs we've had available in FC 26 as always as part of this tournament. You had the option to do some SBC's which get upgrades based on how the players do here this weekend in Manchester and we went with the quarterfinalist. It's a safe bet. How many of the SBC's did you do? Um I will reserve that comment for tomorrow. >> But if you did complete one of these SBC's finish in the top four, you win that first game, you get a plus one. you get to the final, you get another plus one. And for winning the tournament, plus one base play style. >> I absolutely love that, Nathan. A we've loved the action so far here in the E Premier League. If you missed the group stages, don't worry. We're going to show you how things went down. If you missed last month's action, then don't stress. Here's a quick roundup of what happened in the group stages. >> It's one of the biggest tournaments of the whole year, which just going to be unbelievable stuff. In group A, three-time champions Manchester City did what they do best and swept away the competition to top the group once again. It was near perfect as Bernano continue to look unstoppable at the E Premier League. Crystal Palace showed promise with Chelsea following just behind them. Their fellow London rivals West Ham and Fulham will probably want to forget what happened. Into group B where newcomer Sunderland proved they are worth the hype. The boys from Brazil took the EPLL by storm to top the group only losing one game to second place Forest. The Tricky Trees showed their worth whilst Villa Stokes and Cameron struggle despite their reputation. Brenford and Manchester United prop up the table and have work to do this weekend. Group C saw leads led by Tex and Nick topped the group after taking it to their last game against Wolves who showed they aren't to be looked past. The rest of the group was tight with Liverpool, Burnley, and Bournemouth having a mountain to climb in the knockouts. And finally to group D where Tottenham showed their class to top the group. It wasn't straightforward for Marley in these new colors, and he had to beat his former team Brighton in the last round to secure that top spot. The Seagulls have reached back-to- back finals and have work to do if they want to get there again this weekend. Newcastle, Everton, and Arsenal followed behind, but showed potential. There's so many storylines to follow here and it's knockout FC and the scores are combined. The stakes just get higher and higher at the E Premier League. >> Right guys, I am joined by the Bournemouth duo. It's Gangle and Kai Harris. Guys, I want to talk to you because first week, you know, it was a decent week. Kyle will go to you first. You ended up on six points. You're going up against Brenford on four. Does that give you a confidence edge going into that first matchup? >> A little bit. Yeah, groups was a bit of a write-off for us, but I think knockouts is a different story, and I think we'll we'll show where we go now. >> Gen, talk to me about these last couple weeks. What have preparations looked like? What have you worked on since the last time we saw you? >> Um, mainly for me and Kai, it's we were always in a party together, just trying to cook something up. Um, a lot of seeing what other people are doing, especially the big boys, texts, uh, you know, Matty, uh, all of them when we're playing them as taking notes and then seeing what we can put into our game or things like that. >> All right. Well, last question for you, Kai. Obviously, there's a lot of games to be played, but do you think Bournemouth can be raising the trophy tomorrow? >> Why not? >> Why not? >> That's all I have to say. Why not? >> Do you agree? >> Of course. >> All right. Well, we'll have to see. Good luck to both of you and we're going to send it over to Harry and Ryan over at the analysis desk. >> Thank you very much, Casey. As you said, I'm joined by the legend that is Harry Hesa, a former teammate of mine. Of course, we're going to go through the draft restrictions first and foremost. Similar to the previous rounds in the group stage, however, there's 2 million extra coins for the players to work with. And of course, only current Premier League player items and those approved on the list of icon and hero items. We're going to delve into a team, though, Harry. It's our featured game between Brenford and Bournemouth. We'll take a look at Owen Lani's team. I want you to tell me, is there any glaring weakness or do you just feel like it's a strong team all around? Well, with the budget this year, you'll know all the prices have fell off a cliff. So, there's no like tactical thinking into your teams. It's all you can choose any player that you want basically with your Premier League budget. So, Lonnie's team here, I spoke to Lonnie last night. I was like, why you why have you picked the team? He went, skill is all over the gaff, Harry lad. So, I'm guessing we're going to see a lot of free flowing attacking football. He said he can attack and he can't defend. So, we're definitely looking at these forward players. >> Do you think though defensively, if there was one position, he says he's not the greatest defender. Maybe he could have put a bit more budget in there. There's no Vanderven. >> It's It's obviously a strong team defensively, but any weaknesses? >> I think they've pretty much got all the play styles that you want, but there is one player who Lonnie is not using which every single other person has in his whole squad, and that is Javi Simmons. >> Yeah. For me, I'm going to go out and say this. I think that is maybe an oversight for I think there's a reason why Javi Simmons was selected in pretty much every other draft. He has everything that >> if you could build a perfect striker on this game, it is Simmons. He's got all the stats, but pretty much everyone else has all the stats at this point of the year, don't you? It's the play styles that you want to see. >> The thing is about the play styles, right? Obviously with the Metro of FC26, you look for the incisive, the finesse, low driven, ticky tacker, ping, whatever it may be. He's literally got every single thing you'd want. He has every single one. It's basically like building your perfect foot birthday card. There is not one play style that I would change. Maybe you said I'm a bit picky. Yeah. You said you said that you'd like I like game changer. You know, we've seen a couple goals, especially in the group stages where it came in clutch. I think obviously some people may like a quick set there. I think that's efficient as well. Relentless, but we're just being picky. I think he's perfect to be honest with you. >> Yeah, you do love a Travela. I'm not a Traveler man myself. So I would be happy with his finesse, his low drivens, and he can do any sort of pass in any sort of area that you want. You don't need to be picky over that either. And he can play, you can striker and left mid as well. Yeah. Well, for an sec, we'll hope that this isn't a player he will ru not choosing in his draft. But we're moments away from the knockout stages. Let's get into it. >> It's time to make our mark. >> There's a breakthrough for Burnley. >> Winning the E Premier League will mean everything. This is our time. >> This isn't just another game. >> That's why he's in the team. >> West London's finest. >> Great finish. >> No one can stop. >> Knockouts is different. >> Formouth have just turned the game on it. >> Different ball game now. >> Well, here we go then. For an eighth year now, the E Premier League group stages are done. Now it's time for the knockouts. Two days of action across the next 48 hours will determine this year's champion. Will Manchester City go back to back? Only time will tell. We'll bring out our first players here as Burnley come to center stage. Aoya and Sman leading the line. Of course, they came fourth in the group stages up against Arsenal. We'll be hoping for a better group performance into the knockouts now. They finished fifth. Yeah, they certainly will. They showed good glimpses, did Arsenal, throughout this group phase. You see Ricky there. for me. He's the club captain. He's the leader of this team. He'll be playing second. He saw me earlier. Just keep me in the game. Absolutely. Of course, Lions alongside him as well. There on our B stream though at that match there. Of course, Burnley against Arsenal. On our A stream though, it is the bees against the Cherries. Brenford, Connor, and Owen Lani. They'll be hoping, as we said, for a stronger knockout performance. This is straight knockout EFC. No second chances. The Cherries will be wanting to deliver a bit more. Of course, Gangle, former of Fulham, Kai Harris, former of Wolves. They have got a big job to do, but as they said, they've been trying to take a page or two out of Lead United's book. Of course, former threetime E Premier League champion decks. Only time will tell. They're in the booth and they're ready to go for our first game of the day here for the E Premier League knockouts. Throughout the E Premier League finals this weekend, players are wearing commemorative patches on their shirts in honor of Diego Jotta, the former Liverpool and Wolves forward who was a passionate gamer and founder of Luna Esport. Diego won the E Premier League Invitational representing Wolves back in 2020 and his influence continues today. Both Wolves competitors Rasta Arta and Diego Mendes were originally signed by him to represent Luna Esports. These patches are a tribute across the finals weekend recognizing Doo's contribution to both football and the esports community. Well, look, as we said here, we have got two days of action coming your way. We are live in Manchester for the E Premier League knockout stages. Brandon Smith and Richard Buckley kicking you off with your first taste of knockout EFC. As I said in the build up, Rich, there are no second chances. The format has changed from the group stages. It's not three points in three points. It's an aggregate score line. And with the team element here in the Premier League, both players have to pull their way. No, they certainly do. If you're that second player, you know that the pressure might be on you going into a second game, 1 nil, 2-1 down, for example, trailing. If you're the first player, go and get a result. Don't give the controller to the teammate with a impossible task. Don't be losing five. Don't be losing six nil going into that second leg. It's just not feasible. You have to play your role on the team. What I'm most looking forward to is which teams can catch fire throughout this group phase because as the knockouts come on, you'll have played a game already. If you're starting in this opening game, you'll then be playing against a team that potentially could be cold as the tournament unfolds. It's going to be a a really really fascinating day and I can't wait to see which teams can prove to do something remarkable starting in the very first gauntlet round. Well, we're not here alone, are we? Speaking of players that have done well in the Premier League, his first time in the Premier League, by the way, it's Paulo Netto of Sunderland representing the Blackats this year. Paulo, welcome back to Manchester for a second time. You are the highest goal scorer individually in the tournament. You won all of your games in the group stages. how you feeling and uh and how's young of course you big weekend ahead of you. >> Uh thanks Brandon. Uh it feels amazing to be here again and I just want to continue how I was doing on the the first week. I was the top scorer one all of my games. We finished first in the groups but what m really matters is to finish first in the whole tournament and that that's what we came for. >> Yeah, lots of questions coming in the chat as well. Of course Palonetto with us in commentary. I mean Richie said talking points. One of the big talking points from the get-go for me is the the squad building requirements. 12 billion coins here for the Premier League. Of course, former icons and and heroes of the Premier League time are allowed to play. There's only three icons that feature in all the squad requirements. And I'll be honest, none of them are really starting, Rich. No, they're not. It's such with the the promos that we've had, the teams are always changing week by week. And I'm sure that as could have an early chance here. Finesse round the goalkeeper. First blood to Bournemouth. 1-0. Well, first goal of the knockouts goes to the Cherries. >> Yeah, first goal for the Cherries. That's Gangle getting us underway here. That's Orin Lani versus Gangle in our first game. But back to the point you said, Rich, you lots of promos have happened since we've last been here in the group stages and uh yeah, icons aren't really getting their place. >> Yeah, teams changing. I mean, with icons as well, the big thing is chemistry. You don't need any chemistry. You're only allowed to use Premier League players who are playing right now. Question I've got for you, Paulo. You played against Owen Lani uh in the groups. True. >> It was a very comfortable win for you. I think 10-3 was the score in the end. >> What What do you think he should be doing over their last three, four weeks better? What should he have improved on? >> Yeah, I I think like in our game, he was not defending properly the the the runs and like the the triangle balls that I was founding behind his defensive line. So, yeah, I think that he should work on that. Uh he already conceded uh on a goal because of that. So yeah, I think that if he wants to win, he needs to improve his defense because I think he he can score some goals and uh yeah, but he needs to be aware in defense. See again could be a second here already for the Cherries. What a star they having in this game. Is there a cut back? Yes, there is. What a start from Bournemouth. They lead Brenford by two goals. But that's not the only goal that's gone in. Remember, we have got two games taking place at the exact same time here. We have got a B stream live now. We just got Arsenal vers Burnley. And we have an update that we can show you in just a second. But this was the second goal, Rich. >> Yeah, I love the work here cuz the shot didn't really look on, but the recycled backing field. Lewis Smiley finds that pass across the box and a a very simple finish. You talked about Owen Lani what sort of he could have improved on. How's the preparation been for you? Obviously, is it just more of the same trying to get good uh good practice in? You talked about that goal just before you answer here Brandon and Paulo 1 nil Arsenal lead. What's the last few weeks been like for you power? >> Uh, it's been a lot of practice. Of course, we had a patch that changed a few things in the game. So, yeah, just practicing and getting getting fresh with the the new patch with the the upcoming changes, but I feel my game play is good. I feel that I'm ready and ready to to do the same again. >> A lot of travel. >> Yeah, a lot of travel. The travels is long also back from Brazil, but yeah, I'm get I'm used it too, so it's better now. Did you go to the Netherlands first for a bit of boot camp or did you come straight to England? >> No, I I came to the Netherlands. I arrived last Sunday. So, I spent the the week practicing here >> Sunday. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> You've been in Europe since last Sunday grinding for this. That just shows you how much preparation Sunland having coming into this with their teammate Young. This is all the information that you need to know. As we said, Rich, it's a bit of a different knockout bracket, isn't it? I worked out if you win this game, it is six games in total you have to play to become E Premier League champion. When you compare that to the likes of Man City, Sunderland that are in the quarterfinals, they've only got to win three games to be