Season End

Congrats to Chelsea for lifting the FA Cup to draw the final curtains the English Premier League season 2008/2009.

Congrats to ManUtd for winning the league title. Would have been icing on the cake if we had won the Champions League as well but it was not to be.

Oh well, we shall try again next season.

Congrats to everton (not the club, the prediction league player) for winning this season's EPL Prediction League and congrats to Weimeng and Delay for co-sharing the lead at the Marksmen Board.

Prediction League Past Winners

Copa America 2004 - WeiMeng
EPL 2004/2005 - Friday13
EPL 2005/2006 - ianrush
World Cup 2006 - EdwinSng
EPL 2006/2007 - Voxeros
EPL 2007/2008 - Cool402
Euro 2008 - Voxeros
EPL 2008/2009 - Everton

Anyway, for myself, I shall be taking a back seat next season at PangPuarLiap. I have been writing previews and hosting the Prediction League for more than 5 years. I need a break. Gary will lead the front with the ManUtd previews and I may jump in from time to time if I have the time.

Have a good rest during the summer. I'll see everybody back next season. See you in August!

Image Credit: http://images.mirror.co.uk

Midweek Review (28 May 2009)

Barcelona vs Manchester United

"Tonight Champions League final is considered the greatest final of all."

-Gary, 28 May 2009

So we have end the season with a win, though there were reports saying that we will field a team that will hurt Newcastle, Sunderland, Boro or Hull City survival. But in the end, Newcastle was the one that didnt put up the fight and relegate for next season's Championship football.

Next season we welcome back Birmingham City, Wolves and Burnley for Premier League action.

Tonight Champions League final is considered the greatest final of all. Because of the attacking flair of both teams? Or because of Lionel Messi and Ronaldo? But we also saw from last season that Man Utd need a wonder goal from Paul Scholes to settle over 2 legged semi-final tie.

We will also get to see the first Asian footballer playing in this final. And it's none other than Park Ji-sung. Carlos Tevez could be playing for the final game in this final, be it on the bench or starting 11.

Anyway, will end this post for this season. Till then, next season. By the way, starting from next season, the Champions League final will be played on a Saturday. One week to rest, and that's good.

Barcelona Team News: Daniel Alves, Eric Abidal are suspended.

Man Utd Team News: Darren Fletcher is the only player to be suspended. Poor chap. Rio Ferdinand will have a late fitness test. Fergie have a full squad to choose from.

Odds and Analysis: Level ball handicap. I would take Man Utd to win and retain the title where no other team have done since 1992.

Disclaimer: This review is entirely on my own views and opinion. I didn’t point a gun at you to ask you to follow. If you want to bet on this game, do so at your own risk. Pls bet within limits. Good luck.

Results - Games 24 May 2009 EPL Prediction League 2008/2009

Weimeng almost had it in the bag to join me as the second person to have 2 prediction league titles.

Well, Everton came through on the very last match-day to score an excellent haul of 8 solid point to finish as this season's champion with a gap of a comfortable 2-points.

Congratulations Everton!

Also congrats to Weimeng and Delay for being co-winners in the Marksmen Board.

See you guys next season!

Housekeeping Notes:

All of this season's tables will be kept in Flickr's photoset. Click Here.


EPL Prediction League "Perfect Score" Hall Of Fame
Perfect Score = 2 correct-score predictions in a single weekend and hence the award of the full 10 points.

1) redherring (20 Oct 2008)
2) weiming (19 Jan 2009)

Marksmen Board (Number of Exact Predictions)
9 Games - weimeng, delay
8 Games - hotdog, everton
7 Games - ianrush
5 Games - ihawk98, voxeros, necroastr, redherring
4 Games - david.hvp, limyengchuan, edwinsng, cool402
2 Games - Bedokian
1 Game - cha dum yen

Scoring System
3-Points for a correct outcome (Win, Lose or Draw)
1-point each for correct score on each side.

Double Entry
Later submission shall override earlier submission.

Penalty
No points for submission after kick-off. (Disqualification)

Blogspot Blackout
The EPL Prediction League will be played here but if in the event Blogger/Blogspot servers go down, we will automatically carry on the league over to my personal blog at http://jaywalk.blog-city.com. Please bookmark this or at the very least stay in touch with one of us as we will also be helping all stay in the loop via the various channels like MSN, Skype, email as well as SPUG Off-Topic Chat.

Prediction League Past Winners

Copa America 2004 - WeiMeng
EPL 2004/2005 - Friday13
EPL 2005/2006 - ianrush
World Cup 2006 - EdwinSng
EPL 2006/2007 - Voxeros
EPL 2007/2008 - Cool402
Euro 2008 - Voxeros
EPL 2008/2009 - Everton

As usual:

1) If you have spotted a mistake, please let me know where and what so that I can amend them accordingly.
2) Please check your scores for accuracy as soon as possible before I update the table during the next round of scores. Once the table has been updated, the old table will be overwritten.
3) In case you are still seeing the old table even if I have announced a new update, please refresh your browser to reload the table.

Fixture Focus - Spurs (24 May 2009)

Liverpool FC vs Tottenham Hotspur

Survival Sunday - quite aptly named. :)

Though we are very safe from relegation, the term "Survival" would mean our European hopes. Spurs is just 2 points behind 7th place Fulham, and to clinch that last Europa League spot, Fulham would have to lose at home to visitors Everton and we have to win at Anfield against the Reds.

Seems like a tall order.

And the question is - since Liverpool had nothing to play for in the Premier League, would they field a reserve side against us on the last day?

After having a double over them this season, and with the fact that they are playing in Anfield, my guess is - a big fat NO.

And this match will mark Robbie Keane's return....as a Spurs player, to Anfield.

So, are we able to have a treble over the Reds?

Just sit and watch.

COYS!!!!!

Weekend Outlook (24 May 2009)

Hull City vs Manchester United

"...Will Ronaldo risk injury thereby risking his place in the ECL, just to chase the Golden Boot?..."

- JayWalk, 23 May 2009

One point is all we needed and one point is all we took.

We are the Champions!

Again!

It was a boring drab of a game so bad that it would have driven a sloth to suicide.

But hey, what can you do? On one hand, all you need is a draw, then on the other hand, no one out there wants to overexert himself and risk injury, thereby jeopardising his place in the Champions League Final squad. See where I am going with this?

So anyway, we did what we have to and even playing at times with 10 defenders like Liverpool. =P

Looking ahead, we have the ECL final in Rome in just a few days' time.

Let's hope we can make history and be the first team to successfully defend the ECL title.

JayWalk The Talk: There has been rumour that the squad list for the ECL final has been leaked and in it says that Berbatov and Tevez are omitted from the squad, leaving us to speculate that Fergie may opt for the 4-5-1 formation with Ronaldo as the lone striker.

Bullocks!

Let's not get ahead of ourselves and settle one game at a time, can?

Van dar Sar is definitely going to be rested for he has already clinched the Golden Glove Award for the most number of clean sheets. That means Kuszczak or even newbie Amos will get a chance to start.

At the back, Brown and Ferdinand will feature as both just returned from injury and will be using this game to regain some match fitness as well as sharpness. The other 2 places would be interesting if we throw in the da Silva twins. Confirm to confused everybody from, the Hull players, the referees and maybe even our own boys!

Fletcher will be playing since he is suspended from the ECL final. Poor chap must be heartbroken but if it is any consolation, Fergie will give him the Captain's armband to take his merrymen onto the pitch for the final game of the EPL season.

Park and O'Shea are already promised a place in the ECL squad and so we won't be expecting to see them this weekend.

Up front, if we are to send out the complete B-team to fulfill this fixture, then it would mean a no-show for Messrs Ronaldo, Rooney and Berbatov. So that means a good chance for the noobs like Macheda and Welbeck to lead the attack.

Tevez? Nah. He waved his final farewell to the Old Trafford crowd remember? I'd bet his departure was cast in stone even before the Arsenal game. Read the body language when he was being substituted. He has been telling us that all the while.

I have a gut feel that against conventional wisdom, we may just see Ronaldo playing today. He is tied 18 goals alongside with Chelsea's Anelka. With Chelsea playing against struggling Sunderland and no need to save up for any more games, you'd be sure that Anelka will be going all out to bang in the goals and grab the Golden Boot.

So. Will Ronaldo risk injury thereby risking his place in the ECL, just to chase the Golden Boot?

JayWalk The Walk: Despite a confirmed B-team, ManUtd still have to give a 0.25-ball handicap and a 2.025 decimal odds to beat it? Looks like Hull City is the more favoured side by the bookies but the punters seem to disagree as 70% of the wagers are punting on ManUtd to beat the 0.25-ball handicap.

Despite a meaningless game this Sunday with a B-team, ManUtd has only dropped points once in 6 years on the last day of the season and that was the 0-1 defeat at the hands of West Ham, costing us the title and Steven Bruce his tenure at ManUtd.

Verdict? Forget about this game and bet on other more interesting games like relegation fights or the race to get the last Europa League spot.

Disclaimer: The above views are purely my own two-cents' worth. In other words, I cannot and will not guarantee that my predictions are accurate. If you want to bet on the game, do so at your own risk. Also, please bet responsibly and within your means regardless of how "sure thing" that game may appear to be. As the old saying goes, "The Ball Is Round". Good luck.

EPL Prediction League Match Weekend 23- 24 May 2009

Last weekend of EPL football.  Both games are on Sunday and will feature north-east teams facing relegation battles. 

EPL67: SUN 24/5 Sunderland vs Chelsea at 11:55pm SIN/HKT

EPL68: SUN 24/5 Aston Villa vs Newcastle at 11:55am SIN/HKT

Note that in the event of a tie for our league, the tie-breaker game will be the FA Cup final 90min scoreline.

GAME ON!

Scoring System
3-Points for a correct outcome (Win, Lose or Draw)
1-point each for correct score on each side.

Double Entry
Later submission shall override earlier submission.

Penalty
Submissions after kick-off will not be admissible. (Disqualification)

Blogger/Blogspot Blackout
This Prediction League will be played here but if in the event Blogger/Blogspot servers go down, we will automatically carry on the league over to the personal blog of Voxeros at
http://jaywalk.blog-city.com. Please bookmark this or at the very least stay in touch with one of us as we will also be helping all stay in the loop via the various channels like MSN, Skype, email as well as SPUG Off-Topic Chat.

Results - Games 16 - 19 May 2009 EPL Prediction League 2008/2009

Well, the season may be over with ManUtd sealing the title over the weekend (yay!) but the race for the PangPuarLiap EPL Prediction League 2008/2009 is going down to the wire.

While it look like a two-horse race between Everton and weimeng, we also have two dark horses just round the bend with a mathematical shot and overhauling everyone above them.

So anyway, this coming weekend should be the last prediction weekend of the season and should there be a tie after that, we will go into the tie-breaker using the FA Cup final. Scoring rules will be slightly different then. Fret not, instructions will be provided.

Good luck!

Housekeeping Notes:

All of this season's tables will be kept in Flickr's photoset. Click Here.


EPL Prediction League "Perfect Score" Hall Of Fame
Perfect Score = 2 correct-score predictions in a single weekend and hence the award of the full 10 points.

1) redherring (20 Oct 2008)
2) weiming (19 Jan 2009)

Marksmen Board (Number of Exact Predictions)
9 Games - weimeng, delay
8 Games - hotdog
7 Games - everton, ianrush
5 Games - ihawk98, voxeros, necroastr, redherring
4 Games - david.hvp, limyengchuan, edwinsng, cool402
2 Games - Bedokian
1 Game - cha dum yen

Scoring System
3-Points for a correct outcome (Win, Lose or Draw)
1-point each for correct score on each side.

Double Entry
Later submission shall override earlier submission.

Penalty
No points for submission after kick-off. (Disqualification)

Blogspot Blackout
The EPL Prediction League will be played here but if in the event Blogger/Blogspot servers go down, we will automatically carry on the league over to my personal blog at http://jaywalk.blog-city.com. Please bookmark this or at the very least stay in touch with one of us as we will also be helping all stay in the loop via the various channels like MSN, Skype, email as well as SPUG Off-Topic Chat.

Prediction League Past Winners

Copa America 2004 - WeiMeng
EPL 2004/2005 - Friday13
EPL 2005/2006 - ianrush
World Cup 2006 - EdwinSng
EPL 2006/2007 - Voxeros
EPL 2007/2008 - Cool402
Euro 2008 - Voxeros

As usual:

1) If you have spotted a mistake, please let me know where and what so that I can amend them accordingly.
2) Please check your scores for accuracy as soon as possible before I update the table during the next round of scores. Once the table has been updated, the old table will be overwritten.
3) In case you are still seeing the old table even if I have announced a new update, please refresh your browser to reload the table.

Fixture Focus - Spurs (16 May 2009)

Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City

Tonight's clash will feature 2 teams fighting for European qualification.  The chase for 7th is still on, with some help from other teams. 

To start, Spurs must win tonight at the Lane.  All 3 points are a must.  And to make things easier, we will need some help from Alan Shearer's Toon Army to beat Fulham at St James' Park.

No Spurs fan could have imagined that qualification for a Europa Cup spot is possible for Spurs after the first 7 games at the beginning of the season.  But this season's league positions have been really tight which gave us a chance.

Redknapp will do everything to get us the win tonight and Mark Hughes will do the same for his team.  Let's see which team will succeed.

COYS!!!

Weekend Outlook (16 May 2009)

Manchester United vs Arsenal

"...Tell me. How not to win the EPL like that?..."

- JayWalk, 16 May 2009

One point is all we need to call curtains on this season's English Premier League.

Wigan never had a chance against us as we dominated their pitch in every department. This is hardly surprising considering that fact that they have already started their summer vacation with nothing more to play for.

Liverpool has the slight advantage of playing a day later which may end up meaningless if we clinch the title today.

Even if we lose today, we may still be able to clinch the title when Liverpool travels to West Bromwich Albion. Despite being in last place in the league table, West Brom are not dead in the water yet as the 17th spot is a mere 3 points away. So expect them to put up a good fight for the points against Liverpool. Bradford has done the great escape against Liverpool in 2000. Perhaps West Brom this time?

Premier league officials are bringing the trophy to Old Trafford on standby with the red, white and black ribbons already tied. Fireworks, presentation stands are all ready to be carted to the middle of pitch at the final whistle.

Tell me. How not to win the EPL like that?

However strangely, we have only won the title once out of 11, on home soil since the inception of the EPL and that was a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in 1999.

JayWalk The Talk: We will be without the services of Brown which means that the right-back position will fall to either Neville or O'Shea to cover. Ferdinand is also not available which means a 21st clean sheet for Van dar Sar is difficult.

Fletcher will surely start alongside Giggs, Scholes and Carrick, while Ronaldo is sure to feature to chase the Golden Boot award leading Anelka by just one goal. Tevez should also feature given that Fergie would want to utilise him as much as possible before the lease expires.

Not so rosy for Arsenal who will be without Gallas, Rosicky, Almunia and Eduardo. Arshavin is back and Adebayou will also feature as Wenger is evaluating the latter further to decide if the 10-goal striker is to be put on the market when the season ends.

JayWalk The Walk: Bookies make ManUtd give a 0.75-ball handicap at 1.80 to beat it. The punters out there however are really that convinced with only 58% of the wagers betting on ManUtd to beat the handicap i.e. win the game.

For Arsenal, I don't think they have anything more to play for as they are to far behind to spring to 3rd position and too far ahead to fall to 5th. Their ticket to next season's ECL and the 4th position is nailed to the wall already.

All the talk about Arsenal out to avenge the ECL double over them by doing a EPL double back at us is all bullshit. The Wenger kids are already on holiday mood with air tickets, luggage all waiting at the door.

Still, I think given that Fergie knows full well we have a cushion game against Hull next week, he may lift the foot off the pedal a little.

1-1 perhaps?

Disclaimer: The above views are purely my own two-cents' worth. In other words, I cannot and will not guarantee that my predictions are accurate. If you want to bet on the game, do so at your own risk. Also, please bet responsibly and within your means regardless of how "sure thing" that game may appear to be. As the old saying goes, "The Ball Is Round". Good luck.

Midweek Outlook (13 May 2009)

Wigan Athletic vs Manchester United

"Just give the god-damn title to Man Utd."

-Gary, 13 May 2009

For once, im struggling to think of something to write for this review. All i can only think of is, "Just give the god-damn title to Man Utd."

3 games left with Wigan contented with their league position with no relegation or European football next season, Arsenal to fight for pride after losing to Chelsea 4-1 and Hull City who is occupying the final position of the relegation drop. For a moment, Newcastle seem too good to be drop out of their Premier League status. West Brom Albion to do another Great Escape again? I doubt so.

Wigan Team News: Full team to choose from.

Man Utd Team News: Full team to choose from except for Gary Neville and Owen Hargreaves are out till the next season.

Odds and Analysis: Man Utd is giving 1.5 handicap. Take Man Utd.

Disclaimer: This review is entirely on my own views and opinion. I didn’t point a gun at you to ask you to follow. If you want to bet on this game, do so at your own risk. Pls bet within limits. Good luck.

EPL Prediction League Match Weekend 16- 17 May 2009

We'll try to stump everyone with games that have end of season ramifications.

EPL65: SAT 16/5 Newcastle vs Fulham at 09:55pm SIN/HKT

EPL66: TUE 19/5 Portsmouth vs Sunderland at 02:55am SIN/HKT

GAME ON!

Scoring System
3-Points for a correct outcome (Win, Lose or Draw)
1-point each for correct score on each side.

Double Entry
Later submission shall override earlier submission.

Penalty
Submissions after kick-off will not be admissible. (Disqualification)

Blogger/Blogspot Blackout
This Prediction League will be played here but if in the event Blogger/Blogspot servers go down, we will automatically carry on the league over to the personal blog of Voxeros at
http://jaywalk.blog-city.com. Please bookmark this or at the very least stay in touch with one of us as we will also be helping all stay in the loop via the various channels like MSN, Skype, email as well as SPUG Off-Topic Chat.

Results - Games 09 - 10 May 2009 EPL Prediction League 2008/2009

While it seems like the title is for ManUtd to just sail in next week, the Prediction League here is far from over as ianrush surged to 3rd and 4 points behind the leader with a stellar 9-point performance.

Congratulations to cool402 and ianrush for notching another one each on the Marksmen Board.


Housekeeping Notes:

All of this season's tables will be kept in Flickr's photoset. Click Here.


EPL Prediction League "Perfect Score" Hall Of Fame
Perfect Score = 2 correct-score predictions in a single weekend and hence the award of the full 10 points.

1) redherring (20 Oct 2008)
2) weiming (19 Jan 2009)

Marksmen Board (Number of Exact Predictions)
9 Games - weimeng, delay
8 Games - hotdog
7 Games - everton, ianrush
5 Games - ihawk98, voxeros, necroastr, redherring
4 Games - david.hvp, limyengchuan, edwinsng, cool402
2 Games - Bedokian
1 Game - cha dum yen

Scoring System
3-Points for a correct outcome (Win, Lose or Draw)
1-point each for correct score on each side.

Double Entry
Later submission shall override earlier submission.

Penalty
No points for submission after kick-off. (Disqualification)

Blogspot Blackout
The EPL Prediction League will be played here but if in the event Blogger/Blogspot servers go down, we will automatically carry on the league over to my personal blog at http://jaywalk.blog-city.com. Please bookmark this or at the very least stay in touch with one of us as we will also be helping all stay in the loop via the various channels like MSN, Skype, email as well as SPUG Off-Topic Chat.

Prediction League Past Winners

Copa America 2004 - WeiMeng
EPL 2004/2005 - Friday13
EPL 2005/2006 - ianrush
World Cup 2006 - EdwinSng
EPL 2006/2007 - Voxeros
EPL 2007/2008 - Cool402
Euro 2008 - Voxeros

As usual:

1) If you have spotted a mistake, please let me know where and what so that I can amend them accordingly.
2) Please check your scores for accuracy as soon as possible before I update the table during the next round of scores. Once the table has been updated, the old table will be overwritten.
3) In case you are still seeing the old table even if I have announced a new update, please refresh your browser to reload the table.

Weekend Outlook (10 May 2009)

Manchester United vs Manchester City

"...So, if Liverpool loses or draws today, we can wrap up the title on Wednesday at Wigan...."

- JayWalk, 09 May 2009

The scoreline was a little flattering for us. Honestly, we weren't that good. It just so happen that going into the return-leg of a knock-out competition with a 1-goal deficit, Arsenal had no choice but to go on an all-out attack.

Park's opener was really heart-breaking for the young Gibbs who picked the wrong time and wrong place to slip.

With 2 goals on aggregate down, Wenger has to throw more men forward leaving the back even more exposed which backfired as we pump 2 more goals in.

At the end of the day, it all boils down to experience and in the case of Arsenal, the lack of it. Sure, the young squad will grow into a much stronger team in years to come but I wonder if Wenger has the patience for it. After all, he has the unwanted nickname of the Greatest Manager without a European title.

Looking forward, all the pressure is on Liverpool with their 3 remaining games where they die die must win, win and win. A slip up and the title race is over.

So, if Liverpool loses or draws today, we can wrap up the title on Wednesday at Wigan. Thereafter, we will send our B-teams to cover the rest of the domestic fixtures while we prepare the A-team for Rome final.

Speaking of ECL, no team has ever defended the ECL title i.e. no back-to-back wins. So does that mean Barcelona will win the ECL even before kick off as it deemed to be already written in the stars?

Well, we broke the jinx at Porto, then Arsenal just a few days ago. Let's hope this extends to Rome too.

JayWalk The Talk: Wes Brown is out for the rest of the season but fortunately Neville is back to full fitness. The only concern is the veteran right-back's lack of match fitness.

We may witness quite a number of milestones this Sunday.

• Scholes is 2 goals short of 100 goals for ManUtd.
• Rooney is slight behind with 3 goals short of 100 goals for ManUtd.
  
• Giggs is also 2 goals short but the tally is 150 for ManUtd.
• Ferdinand will be playing his 400th league game (West Ham, Bournemouth, Leeds & ManUtd).
• Vidic will be playing his 150th game for ManUtd.
  

JayWalk The Walk: Check out the interview with ManCity's manager Mark "Sparky" Hughes. Just note the tone of voice when he talks about ManUtd whom his team is about to face.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8040808.stm

It is just me or do I hear the resignation to defeat in his voice?

Bookies assigned 1.25-ball handicap at a confident 1.775 for ManUtd to beat it. Wager pot is 64% in favour of ManUtd beating the handicap.

There are 3 highlights in the EPL going on right now. First is the obvious title race. Then we have the relegation fight and lastly we have the 4-corner fight, between West Ham, Spurs, Fulham and ManCity, for the 7th spot which grants a place in the new Europa League next season.

The way I see it, none of the 4 clubs will be making any progress this weekend as I cannot see victory in any of them against their respective opponents.

So how does that concerns us?

Well, it means that the game for ManCity against us is not a do-or-die game for them and as such I won't expect them to work too hard on Sunday.

Go for ManUtd and give the 1.25-ball handicap.

Disclaimer: The above views are purely my own two-cents' worth. In other words, I cannot and will not guarantee that my predictions are accurate. If you want to bet on the game, do so at your own risk. Also, please bet responsibly and within your means regardless of how "sure thing" that game may appear to be. As the old saying goes, "The Ball Is Round". Good luck.

Fixture Focus - Spurs (9 May 2009)

Everton FC vs Tottenham Hotspur

3 more games to the end of the season. 3 more games to strive for that magical 7th spot. Spurs would be travelling up to meet with a team that is already 99.99% confirmed to be in the new Europa League next season.

The pressure would be on us, though, for we need to achieve a victory in this AWAY fixture (note capital letters) and we have to do it with a list of injured players (Lennon, Zokora, Bent, Dawson....you get the picture).

David Moyes, meanwhile, would want to keep the winning momentum of his team going, especially so that they are chasing the final domestic silverware after the season ended - the FA Cup.

So, the make or break would be this game. Let us keep our fingers crossed.

COYS!!!!

EPL Prediction League Match Weekend 9- 10 May 2009

We'll try to stump everyone with games that can go either way...

EPL63: SAT 9/5 Hull City vs Stoke City at 09:55pm SIN/HKT

EPL64: SAT 10/5 Arsenal vs Chelsea at 10:55pm SIN/HKT

GAME ON!

Scoring System
3-Points for a correct outcome (Win, Lose or Draw)
1-point each for correct score on each side.

Double Entry
Later submission shall override earlier submission.

Penalty
Submissions after kick-off will not be admissible. (Disqualification)

Blogger/Blogspot Blackout
This Prediction League will be played here but if in the event Blogger/Blogspot servers go down, we will automatically carry on the league over to the personal blog of Voxeros at
http://jaywalk.blog-city.com. Please bookmark this or at the very least stay in touch with one of us as we will also be helping all stay in the loop via the various channels like MSN, Skype, email as well as SPUG Off-Topic Chat.

Midweek Review (5 May 2009)

Arsenal vs Manchester United

"Another 3 points in the bag. A step closer to the title."

- Gary, 5 May 2009

Another 3 points in the bag. A step closer to the title. As for Boro, another step closer to relegation.

Man Utd were in 2nd gear throughout the match as points win title rather than goals.

4 games left with the Manchester derby, Wigan, Arsenal and Hull to complete a 9-months Premiership marathon. 3 points clear with a game in hand, and if Man Utd win the first 2 games, they are declared champions for the 18th time. I wonder will Arsenal do a "Guard-of-Honour" when they visit Old Trafford on 16th May 2009?

For the second leg of Champions League semi final, Man Utd has the upper hand and one leg in the Final. They have not lost the tie when the first leg was held at home. Arsenal too, have not lost at home (Highbury and Emirates) since 2004, longer than our unbeaten record in the competition. Arsenal for an all-out attack while Man Utd to defend their slender lead?

Arsenal Team News: Robin van Persie is included for the match.

Man Utd Team News: Rio Ferdinand is declared fit for the match.

Odds and Analysis: With a level ball handicap, Man Utd will draw this match and proceed to the Final to face Chelsea or Barcelona in Rome. No punt for me.

Disclaimer: This review is entirely on my own views and opinion. I didn’t point a gun at you to ask you to follow. If you want to bet on this game, do so at your own risk. Pls bet within limits. Good luck.

Results - Games 02 - 03 May 2009 EPL Prediction League 2008/2009

Just when we thought everton has this season's league title all sewn up, weimeng sneaked in from behind with a stellar 9-point performance to grab pole position with only 3 games to go!

What a reversal of roles when a week ago, everton was leading with a 3-point gap over weimeng and now it's the other way round!

Anyway, the Top 10 positions are pretty packed right now and expect a lot of moments within the ranks over the next 3 weeks.

ihawk98 is sure to pick all the close matches hereon to kick the temperature up a notch.

Also to look out for is the Marksmen Board where delay and weimeng are locked head-to-head.

On to the next week!


Housekeeping Notes:

All of this season's tables will be kept in Flickr's photoset. Click Here.


EPL Prediction League "Perfect Score" Hall Of Fame
Perfect Score = 2 correct-score predictions in a single weekend and hence the award of the full 10 points.

1) redherring (20 Oct 2008)
2) weiming (19 Jan 2009)

Marksmen Board (Number of Exact Predictions)
9 Games - weimeng, delay
8 Games - hotdog
7 Games - everton
6 Games - ianrush
5 Games - ihawk98, voxeros, necroastr, redherring
4 Games - david.hvp, limyengchuan, edwinsng
3 Games - cool402
2 Games - Bedokian
1 Game - cha dum yen

Scoring System
3-Points for a correct outcome (Win, Lose or Draw)
1-point each for correct score on each side.

Double Entry
Later submission shall override earlier submission.

Penalty
No points for submission after kick-off. (Disqualification)

Blogspot Blackout
The EPL Prediction League will be played here but if in the event Blogger/Blogspot servers go down, we will automatically carry on the league over to my personal blog at http://jaywalk.blog-city.com. Please bookmark this or at the very least stay in touch with one of us as we will also be helping all stay in the loop via the various channels like MSN, Skype, email as well as SPUG Off-Topic Chat.

Prediction League Past Winners

Copa America 2004 - WeiMeng
EPL 2004/2005 - Friday13
EPL 2005/2006 - ianrush
World Cup 2006 - EdwinSng
EPL 2006/2007 - Voxeros
EPL 2007/2008 - Cool402
Euro 2008 - Voxeros

As usual:

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Weekend Outlook (02 May 2009)

Middlesbrough vs Manchester United

"...The way I see it, the road to Rome is simple. Just score 1 goal and we are through to the Finals...."

- JayWalk, 02 May 2009

What happened with Arsenal was a puzzle as we did not expect Arsenal to roll over and play dead just so easily.

What the hell happened?

As much as I appreciate the win, it is also a grave concern as to why our worthy opponent crumbled so easily?

The boys at Arsenal are too green or are they perhaps just not up to our standards when the pressure is turned up to the max?

Then there is also the complacency on our part that I am worried about. Had we converted just half the chances we had, we would have this semi-final dead and buried. So now with just 1 miserable goal and our terrible record against the Gunners at their home soil, I wonder if this solitary goal is enough to see us through or is it going to come back and bite us in the ass? Are we going to get spanked for our wastefulness?

Well, a couple of weeks ago, we were just talking about how no English club in Porto history has beaten them on their home soil and we just broke that record. Perhaps, we would do the same here at the Emirates?

The way I see it, the road to Rome is simple. Just score 1 goal and we are through to the Finals.

JayWalk The Talk: We are definitely going to playing a B-team this weekend as Fergie is expected to rest key players ahead of the ECL semi-final return leg at the Emirates Stadium.

Between the sticks will be Foster and he will be protected by the Fab-4 of Vidic, Evans, Brown and Evra. Ferdinand is declared OK after the broken rib scared while Neville still has a week to go before full recovery. Expect the Gaffer to rest him ahead of the mid-week clash. Further up in the middle will be the Old Bird Duo of Giggs and Scholes to lead the kids to 3 points. Partnering them should be Park and Nani. Then up front, we should see Macheda debuting this first start alongside either Tevez or Welbeck.

On the Boro side, defenders Captain Pogatetz and Riggot are both out due to injury which will leave the door wide open for ManUtd to score. Brazillian Alves is expected to start but for someone who has yet to score in 10 games, I am not too worried. Besides, I think he is more concerned about getting out of the club when the season is over than anything else.

JayWalk The Walk: Bookies are going Boro a 0.75-ball handicap and ManUtd a very easy 1.775 decimal odds to beat it. The Riverside stadium has always been a very tricky place for ManUtd where we won only twice in our last 4 visits.

Looks like Southgate will not be so confident this time and they are already talking about life after relegation. Morale is at an all time low both on the pitch and off it. Backroom staff are already having the dark cloud of retrenchment looming over their heads.

I think even the punters felt it too as the wager pot is 74% in favour of ManUtd beating the 0.75-ball handicap.

Anyway, today is our turn to have the earlier kick-off and should we pull off the victory, we shall then see if Liverpool can match us in terms of mental toughness.

Are they going to match us 3 points for 3 points or are they just going to crumble like cookies today?

Well, we shall see..... after we collect our 3 points.... with our B-team. Boro is so going to be relegated.

Disclaimer: The above views are purely my own two-cents' worth. In other words, I cannot and will not guarantee that my predictions are accurate. If you want to bet on the game, do so at your own risk. Also, please bet responsibly and within your means regardless of how "sure thing" that game may appear to be. As the old saying goes, "The Ball Is Round". Good luck.

Fixture Focus - Spurs (2 May 2009)

Tottenham Hotspur vs West Bromwich Albion

The last weekend was a weekend that we Spurs fans would want to forget....

Anyway, the coming fixture sees us hosting West Bromwich Albion, who still has a mathematical chance of staying alive in the Premier League. With their fellow strugglers Middlesbrough and Newcastle United against Champions-chasing Manchester United and Liverpool respectively, WBA will seize this opportunity and throw everything against us in order to climb further into safety.

Spurs, too, have something to fight for in this game - the seventh (heaven) spot, which means qualification into the new Europa League. Though Bent is injured, Pavlyuchenko and Defoe will be back.

So, there is a reason each for both teams to fight for in this game. Expect entertaining football this time round.

COYS!!!!!