Results - Game 05 - 06 Feb 2011 EPL Prediction League 2010/2011

First and foremost, Happy Lunar New Year everybody!!!

Wow, what an eventful week it was. First we have Torres burning his bridge by opening declaring that he never loved the Reds, only to have Liverpool reply with a 1-0 victory over Chelsea to give the Spaniard a nice sending off.

Speaking of 1-0, ManUtd lost to lowly Wolves but even that doesn't bat an eyelid. Surely the biggest news was Newcastle stealing a point from Arsenal after the latter were up 4-0 intially. Wow.

Coming back, Mr White continues to hold the lead this week but have to share the spoils with cool402 with his strong challenge to tie and Bedokian to close in to a mere point with also 3-point haul together with me.

Huat ah!

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) 8plus1 (28 - 29 Aug 2010)
2) KingMeng (02 - 03 Oct 2010)
3) ihawk98 (02 - 03 Oct 2010)
4) ollopA (16 - 17 Oct 2010)

Marksmen Board (Number of Exact Predictions)
6 Games - ihawk98, Mr. White
5 Games - KingMen, Bedokian
4 Games - redherring, Everton
3 Games - 8plus1, ollopA, Voxeros
2 Games - cool402, ianrush, edwinsng, weimeng
1 Game - Arrenn, necroastr


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://www.jaywalkonline.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
EPL 2009/2010 - ihawk98
World Cup 2010 - Raynaldo

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 (5 Feb 2011)

Tottenham Hotspur vs Bolton Wanderers

A very Happy Chinese New Year to you all!

Barely just 3 days after our victory at Ewood Park, we will be back home to face one of our boogie teams Bolton Wanderers, whose boogie captain Kevin Davies just can't stop scoring against us.

Good news is that Dawson is back after serving his 1-match suspension, and he could be partnering with Gallas or Bassong t the back. Bale is still out so my guess is Pienaar will be in after recovering from a head concussion. With them in mind, the midfield could be rotated back to a 4-5-1 formation with Jenas, Palacios, Lennon and Van der Vaart supporting the lone Crouch up front.

Bolton could be fielding their on-loan player from Chelsea Sturridge, and of course Kevin Davies would be in.

It is now a tight race among the current top 5 for the top 4 position, a round of musical chair game which we definitely must have a seat on.

COYS!!!!!

Weekend Review - 5 Feb 2011

Wolves vs Manchester United

On behalf of PPL, wish everyone a Happy Lunar New Year!

And what a Lunar New Year to start with when Gary Neville announced his retirement from football. He is the first of the 'Fergie Fledglings' to do that, and is a matter of time before Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, ex-Man Utd players David Beckham, Phil Neville and Nicky Butt hang their boots and call it a day.

Owen Hargreaves is not named in the 25 man UEFA Champions League squad and we believed that he could have played the last game for the club, ironically against Wolves where he lasted for 4 mins. Oh, did i mentioned that his contract is up in June which he could leave the club for free? He joined Man Utd on 1 July 07 for 17 million pounds, which to us, is a bad investment where he spend more time on the treatment table than on the field.

With 14 games left, we are still 5 points ahead of Arsenal. For our FA Cup, our next opponent is Crawley Town, a Conference division club.

Next game against Wolves is top against bottom in the league table. And with Mick McCarthy at the helm, Wolves is destined for relegation again.

Wolves Team News: Full team to choose from.

Man Utd Team News: Full team to choose from.

Odds and Analysis: Man Utd give 1.25 handicap. Take Man Utd for the win and 4th away win this season.

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.

Fixture Focus - Spurs (2 Feb 2011)

Blackburn Rovers FC vs Tottenham Hotspur

What an uneventful January.

Of 5 league and FA Cup games, we had won only 1, lost 2 and drew 2, and culminated with an humiliating 0-4 loss to our London neighbours Fulham and elimination from the FA Cup. Off the pitch, the Spurs faithful are disappointed by the news that none of the targeted strikers are coming to the Lane after the end of the transfer window.

And we are sitting at 5th, with the 4th-placed just-got-their-groove-back Chelsea 6 points ahead of us. The battle to be at the top 4 would be uphill from now on.

For the midweek fixture, we would be travelling to Ewood Park against Blackburn Rovers, who were also seen off the FA Cup competition by Aston Villa last weekend, and we will be going there with a literal "defensive" problem.

Dawson (suspension), King and Kaboul (injuries) are out. Woodgate might be in as a stopgap but he has not played for more than a year. Likely starting would be Gallas and Bassong, though the former with an injury threat. As for our midfield, with Bale, Huddlestone and Modric out (the latter due to an appendicitis surgery), likely starters would be Van der Vaart - Palacios - Jenas - Lennon. With this midfield formation in place, it is going to be a 4-4-2 with the "2" most likely be a Crouch/Defoe partnership.

The only news so far from Blackburn is that Santa Cruz will not be starting due to an injury incurred at the Villa game, but the rest of their first teamers will definitely be around.

The Blackburn game, hopefully, will kickstart our resurging run and back into the top 4 again by the end of the season.

COYS!!!!

EPL Prediction League Match Weekend 5-6 Feb 2011

EPL 43: SAT 5/2 Aston Villa vs Fulham at 9.55pm SIN/HKT

EPL 44: SUN 6/2 Chelsea vs Liverpool at 11.55pm 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)

Blog Blackout
This Prediction League will be played here but if in the event this blog goes down, we will automatically carry on the league over to the personal blog of Voxeros at http://www.JayWalkOnline.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 Outlook (01 Feb 2011)

   Manchester United vs Aston Villa  

Watching ManUtd having to win after trailing from behind, game after game reminds me of Fabien Barthez. It was an era where we win by simply scoring more goals than the opponent, regardless of how many we leak.

Not exactly a wise strategy but at least it's still a win and damn entertaining at that.

Oh and by the way, it is not recommended for those with weak hearts.

I saw the Blackpool game and both of their goals were identical. Both were aerial crosses where I thought only the likes of David "Calamity" James, during his stint with Liverpool, would have trouble keeping the ball out of trouble.

I was wrong. Twice.

While on the topic of goalies, Edwin van der Sar is calling it a day at the end of this season and I thank him for being a wonderful and faithful servant all these years.

So who are we giving the No.1 shirt to next? Kuszczak? Lindegaard? New summer signing?

Kuszczak looks to be the next in line. Just a few months earlier, he was hinting of leaving the club, like Ben Foster, for more first-team opportunities elsewhere. Perhaps with van der Sar's retirement announcement, he may change his mind.

My problem is that none of the backup goalies impress me, with the notable exception of Raimond van der Gouw. So do I think Kuszczak can fill the No.1 shirt? I have my reservations but I am not ready to write him off just yet.

Lindegaard? The young goalie was touted to be the "new Schmeichel" whose is a big chap at 1.90m, like his big Danish predecessor. Had he been the goalie at the Blackpool game, we would have kept a clean sheet as he is very good at countering aerial crosses. Alas, his lack of prime time experience would possibly point to the No.2 goalie spot for the time being.

Coming back to the game ahead. The back-4 of Evra, Rafa, Ferdinand and Vidic should return after being rested at the Southampton game. Edwin van der Sar will be between the sticks and the combo of Rooney-Berbatov will start up front again after making way to Owen and Hernandez at the weekend.

Carrick will not be featuring and I doubt if Park has recovered from his Asian Cup stint. So as far as midfield line up is concerned, I honestly hadn't a clue. Nani, Giggs and Fletcher but who will be the 4th guy to be the command centre?

Asian handicap points to ManUtd giving a 1-1/2 ball handicap to Aston Villa but a doubtful 2.025 decimal odds to overcome it. On the 1X2 front, ManUtd are favourites to win with only a measly 1.32 pay-out.

Ferguson and Houllier has met head-to-head on 13 occasions with both managers sharing the spoils of 5 wins apiece and 3 draws in between. However, most of that honour were with Liverpool and Houllier will have his work cut out for him tonight with his Aston Villa outfit.

ManUtd is 6-for-6 at home as far as victories are concerned while Aston Villa is unfortunately, also 6-for-6, but it's 6 consecutive away games winless.

I say, it'll will be a win for ManUtd to further consolidate their position at the top but I have my doubts of them clearing the handicap. 2-1 would be a fair result tonight. Hopefully, we do not have come back from a goal down again.

JayWalk's 2010/2011 Track Record to-date (01 Feb 2011) :  P93-W50-L43

- Voxeros

Weekend Review - 29 Jan 2011

Southampton vs Man Utd

Did anyone inform about Blackpool that Man Utd will not give up until the final whistle is blew? And by not doing that, Man Utd came back from 2 goals down to win 3-2, and lead the table by 5 points.

This week is a welcome distraction as we head to St Mary Stadium for FA Cup 4th round. Will we get to see boy wonder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in action tonight?

Southampton Team News: Full team to choose from.

Man Utd Team News: Full team to choose from.

Odds and Analysis: Man Utd is giving 1.25 handicap. I expect Man Utd to win the handicap and proceed to 5th round.

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.

Fixture Focus - Spurs (31 Jan 2011)

Fulham FC vs Tottenham Hotspur
(FA Cup 4th Round)

Currently we are embarking on 2 roads to Wembley, one which we go all around Europe, and the other all around England and Wales. This weekend's fixture will be focused on the latter, ironically on the last day of the transfer window. Our fourth round opponent is Fulham, and this season we had already completed a double win over them.

Our boys would be making a short trip to Craven Cottage, without our boy wonder Bale due to a back injury. Good news is that Gomes, Palacios and Assou-Ekotto are back with expectation to play. Last but not least, with news (or rumours?) that Krancjar is staying, he may be in this game as well, along with Sandro, who made his debut at Craven Cottage earlier in this season.

Fulham will be without goalie Schwarzer as he is on international duty at the Asian Cup, and our ex-striker Zamora is still out, along with Briggs and Senderos, due to injuries.

This year is 2011, and note the "ones" digit, it is a "1". Need I say more?

COYS!!!!!

EPL Prediction League 10/11

There is no prediction leagues matches this weekend due to FA Cup.
*shake fists* I WANT TO RECLAIM MY TOP SPOT!! GRR..

Midweek Outlook (25 Jan 2011)

   Blackpool vs Manchester United  

Blackpool reminds me of debutantes in the likes of Charlton Athletic, Wimbledon and Ipswich in the past where they jammed themselves at the top of the Premier League table early in the season shocking everybody.

Just when we are always under the impression that noob clubs are expected to struggle at the bottom-end of the club, these few exceptions started scalping big clubs from the get go.

However, as it is with all the past clubs, and I have mentioned time and time again, their shock victories were only because of the element of surprise. Incumbents who have never played these clubs before, did not know how to handle them. Get the tactics wrong and it's the wrong end of the the game outcome for them.

Unfortunately, fairy tale runs only last a little while as the following factor sets in:

• Other clubs will eventually figure you out and have the right tactic to lock you down. Most of these debutantes are one, at most two, -trick ponies. Even the big boys are not spared. Just look at Chelsea and their shocking fall from grace this season. What happened? Simple. Ancelotti just isn't that good a tactician as compared to Fergie, Wenger or Mourinho. The Italian lacks creativity and ideas.
  
• Clubs coming up from the Championship League are mostly smaller clubs relative to the big boys in the Premier League. Here we are talking about resources and squad depth. As fatigue sets in, injuries and suspensions piling up, the smaller clubs lack the luxury of a deep squad rotation. Look at ManUtd, plagued with injuries right from the start of the season. They struggled all the way until now and yet still managed to hang on to the top of the table.

So here we have Blackpool who started off the season at the top of the table only to slide to the bottom half after losing 4 consecutive games.

Charlie Adam just handed in his transfer request which is likely to drive the morale of the club even further down towards the abyss. The transfer window closes on 31 Jan 2011 which is just a mere 6 days away. Either Charlie plays today or never for Blackpool again, unless of course, he is able to do a Wayne Rooney 180 on this one. Still, I doubt Holloway will field Adam today. You end up with a player less if you put one with no heart onto the pitch.

Over at ManUtd, Park is doing well in his international swansong over in Qatar for the Asian Cup. The Korean captain will received his 100th cap today in their semi-final game against Japan.

Ferdinand, Carrick, Hargreaves and Valencia won't be featuring today. I think Rafael will be back from suspension and Scholes should have a chance to get onto the starting sheet in place of Carrick.

Bookies are putting a handicap of 1-1/4 ball in favour of Blackpool and an optimistic decimal odds of 1.825 for ManUtd to beat it.

I have my doubts here as ManUtd has yet to completely shaken off the away-game jinx. We have played 10 away games this season so far and I need of remind that out of these 10, we only got 2 wins.

Granted we are at the top of the table undefeated thus far, it is an exaggeration when people liken the current ManUtd to that of the Invincible Arsenal of 2003/2004. Honestly, we are far from them by a mile. We are just lucky that the other teams imploded at the right time and the right place to push us up to the top by sheer dumb luck.

Every football preview on the web is predicting a huge win for ManUtd but I remain cautiously optimistic.

Perhaps a draw to go 3-points clear as we fail to beat the away-game jinx again.

JayWalk's 2010/2011 Track Record to-date (25 Jan 2011) :  P93-W50-L43

- Voxeros