The inaugural e-Premier League FIFA 20 Invitational, a single-elimination knockout tournament, will controller-off tomorrow (Tuesday) with the four qualifying matches, which will reduce the number of teams to a more tournament-friendly 16.
Former Chelsea youngster Nathaniel Chalobah, representing Watford, was one of the four unlucky ones to have to play in that play-in round. Chelsea’s Reece James was seeded directly into the Last 16, alongside another former Chelsea player, Christian Atsu, now representing Newcastle United.
In Monday morning’s draw, James was handed Everton’s Andre Gomes as his first opponent. Incidentally, the two played against each other in the last game before the suspension of the season, as Chelsea blasted Everton 4-0 at Stamford Bridge.
Of course, we have no idea how any of these footballers’ skills translate to the virtual world of EA Sports’ FIFA, but we’ll find out soon enough. Matches will be held starting at noon local time each day, with Saturday’s semifinals and final also broadcast on Sky. All matches will be available to watch streaming live on the various social media and streaming channels of the Premier League.
The draw, in full, for the first ever ePL Invitational is as follows:
Qualifying round (Tuesday, April 21)
1A John McGinn (AVL) vs. Neal Maupay (BHA)
1B Josh Franceschi (ARS) vs. Nathaniel Chalobah (WAT)
1C Dwight McNeil (BUR) vs. Ryan Fredericks (WHU)
1D Philip Billing (BOU) vs. Angus Gunn (SOU)
Last 16 (Wednesday-Thursday, April 22 & 23)
2A Raheem Sterling (MCI) v Wilfried Zaha (CRY)
2B Tom Grennan (MUN) v Trent Alexander-Arnold (LIV)
2C REECE JAMES (CHE) v Andre Gomes (EVE)
2D Moussa Sissoko (TOT) v Christian Atsu (NEW)
2E Diogo Jota (WOL) v Wilfred Ndidi (LEI)
2F Todd Cantwell (NOR) v Lys Mousset (SHU)
2G Winner 1A v Winner 1D
2H Winner 1B v Winner 1C
Quarterfinals (Friday, April 24)
QF1 Winner 2B v Winner 2D
QF2 Winner 2C v Winner 2A
QF3 Winner 2E v Winner 2F
QF4 Winner 2G v Winner 2H
Final four (Saturday, April 25)
SF1 Winner QF1 vs. Winner QF2
SF2 Winner QF3 vs. Winner QF4
Final Winner SF1 vs. Winner SF2