Malaysia Cup preview: Perak heads Group A cast

Perak

2018 League finish: 2nd in Super League
2017 Malaysia Cup: Semi-final
Best Malaysia Cup achievement: Champions (1926, 1931, 1957, 1967, 1970, 1998, 2000)

Terengganu FC

2018 League finish: 5th in Super League
2017 Malaysia Cup: Group stage
Best Malaysia Cup achievement: Champions (2001)

Kuala Lumpur

2018 League finish: 10th in Super League
2017 Malaysia Cup: Group stage
Best Malaysia Cup achievement: Champions (1987, 1988, 1989)

Felcra FC

2018 League finish: 2nd in Premier League
2017 Malaysia Cup: Did not qualify
Best Malaysia Cup achievement: Champions 

Right from the start, Perak and Terengganu look like the ones to beat for the top two spots in the group that will take the teams through to the knockout stage of the competition. The Bos Gaurus are riding high from finishing second in the Super League and a result that looks increasingly likely to give them a place in the AFC Champions League playoff next year.

Mehmet Durakovic has a settled starting XI that rarely changes unless suspension or injury necessitate it. In Gilmar Filho, Wander Luiz and Norhakim Hassan; the head coach from Australia has a fearsome attacking threat that know where the back of the net is.

As for Irfan Bakti's side, they have done tremendously well in their return to the top tier by finishing in the top half of the table and will be looking to push on in the Malaysia Cup. A lot will rely on the form of captain Tchetche Kipre and if he's kept quiet in a game, Terengganu do suffer as a consequence.

But for Irfan, the engine room looks to be one of the better departments with the impressive Lee Tuck leading a trio that includes Thierry Chanta Bin and Faiz Nasir. They are strong at home and should only really fear Perak.

As for KL and Felcra, both have their respective problems. Fabio Maciel has yet to rectify his team's yo-yo performances, particularly in away matches. While Felcra are punching above their weight and looked a sure bet to finish bottom of the group.

It is hard to see past a combination of Perak and Terengganu advancing from the group though meetings between the two teams ought to be the matches that will define who will finish top of the group.