Season 3: Starting to feel like part of the furniture

Welcome back one and all, seasoned predictors, new chancers and those who have promised me that this year is the year they get involved!

So that whole "check back next week" thing never really happened. I'm sorry about that - I raised your hopes unacceptably and will never forgive myself. Essentially, it's been rather a busy summer for me professionally and personally (though not footballistically, which is very kind of Arsene Wenger. I'm sure that's why we've been so tumbleweedy in the transfer market), and I just haven't really had the time to pull the graphs together. This does mean that I have a reason to blog during the international weekends though! So hurrah for my chaotic summer!

What else is new?

Well, this season, I'll be adding the predictions of the statistical model the Fink Tank from the Times, and hoping to prove that the mathematical, analytical approach defeats the pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey stylings of Mark Lawrenson et al.

I've also gone and done what I've been promising to do for about 18 months and invested in a solid silver trophy for the victor. Even got the previous winners engraved on it and all - oooooooh. Obviously, logistically, it's more difficult to share the trophy round future winners, but I'll have a think about that one. Pictures of the sexiest silverware in soccer on next week's blog to get the juices flowing ahead of the first set of predictions for the new season.

The final change to this year's competition is a follow up to the success of the FA Cup game from last year. An OPTIONAL £10 entry fee can be paid for this year's Premier League competition, with cash prizes for the highest scoring players at the end of the season. Obviously, the amount of prize money will depend on how many players pay as with the FA Cup game - but going with the same numbers, that could be roughly £100 to the winner!

It is entirely up to you whether to pay or not - you are welcome to submit your predictions as before and you'll still be eligible for the main trophy and leaderboards as before - consider this a sidepot in poker - just a separate game, with only those who pay able to win the money.

As always, spread the word - it'd be great to average 30-40 people a week this season! I'm sure you all have at least 1 mate who thinks they know all about football. Tell them to put their money/reputation where their mouth is and compete against the pros and the rest of us!

Week 1 predictions will be up after the Community Shield this weekend, and if you want to participate in the money game this year, let me know via any source, including the comments below and we'll sort out a transfer, either via paypal or a bank transfer.

Excitement is building folks - little over a week until the President throws that ceremonial first pitch!