Matchday 38: Finals all round

...and now, the end is near (again).

Can't believe that the season is done and dusted (assuming there won't be a 3rd place play-off, which there just won't).

We now are left with just those CL places to play for after Wigan had the ultimate roller-coaster week. Have to say, were I a Wigan fan, that's how I'd have taken it. The memory of the FA Cup triumph beats the sadness of relegation, something they could bounce back from in reasonable time if they don't have too large a fire-sale.

This means that 2 clubs from the North-East with nothing to play for could determine the fates of 2 clubs from North London. You'd have to think that players are professional enough to want to win every game, or failing that, greedy enough to want every win bonus. However, it's difficult to to motivate yourself for that 50/50, or track back when tired when you know there's nothing riding on it. No-one want's to go on holiday with a plaster-cast, ain't nobody got time for tan-lines.

Let's get statty:

This week, 21 people played
Most popular predicted result: Man Utd WIN (20/21 - Chernick, you grinchy bugger. Couldn't let SAF have his last moment in the sun...)
Most disputed result: Norwich vs WBA & Sunderland vs Southampton (both 6-9-6 splits)

Highest odds: Josh Daniels with a ridiculous 63,188/1
Lowest odds: Steven Daniels (got your mention....happy?) 661/1
Average odds: 12,029/1 (1,797/1 without the ridiculous odds above)

Best predictors: Steven Daniels & Richard Verber (9/10)
Worst predictor: Josh Daniels & Tarek Najm. Stan Collymore too, though he didn't predict the last 2 games. (4/10)
Average score: 7/10 (6.67). Second highest score of all time

Best predicted result: Man Utd WIN (20/21)
Worst predicted result: Norwich WIN (6/21)

Villain of the week: Verber was the closer to getting the full 10, so I'm gonna look for a villain in the Sunderland/Southampton game. It's kinda difficult....maybe Jos Hooiveld for the deflection on the Sunderland goal? He's scored enough own goals this season, so I don't feel that bad...

Everyone's results:

Now to the leaderboard, and yet another change at the top.

It's so tight between the top 3, and mathematically speaking, Statman and the ECI could sneak it too if results go in their favour. A couple of mid-table shifts add some more colour this week, but the other major story is Jonathan Chernick sneaking up on Tarek, who'll now be very concerned about taking that dreaded wooden spoon. The previous incumbent of that position, Ryan Wain, hasn't shown his face in public since last season due to the shame (if you don't include a documentary about him on Channel 4 last week)

To this week's predictions:

Chelsea vs Everton - CHELSEA
Liverpool vs QPR - LIVERPOOL
Man City vs Norwich - MAN CITY
Newcastle vs Arsenal - ARSENAL
Southampton vs Stoke - DRAW
Swansea vs Fulham - SWANSEA
Spurs vs Sunderland - SPURS
WBA vs Man Utd - MAN UTD
West Ham vs Reading - WEST HAM
Wigan vs Aston Villa - WIGAN

Total odds: 240/1 (PaddyPower). This will be the week I get 10 right, and get bugger all money for doing it. Wait and see

I'm currently mid-medical finals, so whilst I have done the FA Cup stats, I'm going to plead off doing the blog about them until the weekend. Apologies to keep the suspense going until then.

Good luck guys, see you back next week for the end-of-season party.