S4M11: Predictably Unpredictable

Howdy friends,

So - looking at the results from last weekend with a bit of distance, can any of us say we're genuinely surprised at how that panned out? Maybe the Sunderland win was unexpected....but there are a lot of dross teams and really anything could happen - it's hardly like Palace have been flying (or soaring....I'll grab my coat.) Other than that - you'd look at all those results and think...'yep'.

So why did we do predictably average as a group? Are we all so used to the zany that we're now outfoxed by the double-bluff? One day, when I've got more time, I'm going to delve deeper into my statistical treasure chest, accumulated over the last 4 years - draw out some of the interesting patterns, write a book, sell loads (mainly to you guys to give as christmas presents to your secret santas) and buy a desert island. That's basically the only way that I can see to understand why random stuff happens - the desert island is a benefit that is just unavoidable.

Sidetracked somewhat - what else happened this week? Moaninho turned his act towards the Chelsea fans in a superbly ironical experiment to see just what happens when you bite the hand that doesnt really feed you when you're paid by a billionaire. What happens is utter indifference and a half-arsed comedown later on. Also, in happier news, Jonas Gutierrez has been given the all clear from his testicular cancer - which segues nicely onto my little bit of charity begging.

This year, for the first time, I'm Movembering. I've never really thought of it as a worthy challenge before, but read something last year (which I forgot to favourite and have subsequently lost) about why it's actually more difficult than you think - so yeah...now I'm simultaneously hairier and shaving more than ever before. I'm doing it more to raise awareness of Men's Health issues - mainly testicular and prostate cancer & mental health issues - but if you have a few quid sitting in a bank account looking lonely, we'd love your support. You can catch my work team here - http://uk.movember.com/team/1684649

Right, enough of that...let's get statty:

This week, 21 people played
The most popular predicted results were Arsenal & Chelsea WINS (21/21)
The most disputed result was Newcastle vs Liverpool (4-7-9 split)

The highest odds were (shocker) Andrew Feneley's Mum (12, 574/1)
The lowest odds were Josh Daniels (genuine shocker) 2002/1
Average odds: 6446/1

Highest scorer: WhoScored.com, Eli Daniels, David Dinkins, Menachem Grunewald, Richard Verber and the super special guest this week - Rachel Riley. I didn't meet her in the flesh, unlikely Sir Bobby, but one day, she'll reply to my barrage of fan mail (6/10)
Lowest scorer: Tarek Najm (2/10)
Average score: 4.67/10

Best predicted results: Arsenal & Chelsea WINS (21/21)
Worst predicted result: Sunderland WIN (2/21)

Everyone's results:

To the leaderboard, for those who've played >2/3 of weeks....or 8/11

Big gaps from 1-2 and bottom-1 from bottom.

To this week's predos:

Liverpool vs Chelsea - CHELSEA
Burnley vs Hull - HULL
Man Utd vs Crystal Palace - MAN UTD
Southampton vs Leicester - SOUTHAMPTON
West Ham vs Aston Villa - WEST HAM
QPR vs Man City - MAN CITY
Sunderland vs Everton - EVERTON
Spurs vs Stoke - SPURS
WBA vs Newcastle - NEWCASTLE
Swansea vs Arsenal - DRAW

Total odds: 1103/1 (Paddypower)

Good luck guys.