S12M18 & 19: 2023 Beckons

It has become tradition that my season opening blog uses soaring imagery to conjure nostalgic dopamine releases in your brains. Harnessing the summer footballl experience to twang the psychological addiction strings starting to jones for that first whistle...my adrenaline is going just thinking about writing it. If only someone had done some research into this sort of this.

That's basically where I've been for the last few weeks. The WC was a nice little Twitter doomscroll but NOW, now the football is back and my word do I feel it. 

Brentford vs Spurs was wonderful. Would have been more wonderfuller if Spurs hadn't done their usual party trick of being rubbish but still coming from behind to get something. Once the canapes had been devoured, we sat down to the main meal. Palace decided 11 players was 2 too many, and to be honest, probably regret it. Lopetegui got off to a winning start at Everton with a 95th minute winner to make Frankie L do Frank things. Delicious. Like a roasted brussel sprout. Leicester really are dog doo doo and Newcastle wrapped up 3 points inside 8 minutes. They must be so broke if they can't afford to sack off Rodgers. Brighton scored 3 off 0.3 xG or something. I have a very vested interest in this equalling itself out in the near future.
Then came the big boyz.

Liverpool. Bosh. Win.
Arsenal. Bosh. Win.
Chelsea. Bosh. Win
Man Utd. Bosh. Win
Man City. Bosh. Win

The Barclays is Back. 

Let's get statty:

This week, 18 people played. I've found a new model too - from Opta - who'll be included from here on.
Most popular predicted result: Chelsea WIN (17/18)
Most disputed predictions: Everton vs Wolves, Leicester vs Newcastle & Southampton vs Brighton (11-4-3 & 3-4-11x2 respectively)

Highest/Lowest/Average odds: 701/1 (Steven Daniels)

Best predictor: Silverman (8/10)
Worst predictor: WhoScored.com (4/10)
Average score: 6.22/10 (Season high)

Best predicted result: Chelsea WIN (17/18)
Worst predicted result: Fulham WIN (2/18)

Everyone's scores:


Leaderboard (>2/3; 12;17)

To this week's predos:



Good luck all & Happy New Year!

S12M17: Resumption

NGL, forgot the Carabao cup was the true domestic restart. so very nice for Thailand's number 3 energy drink. 

We're back now. Proper. Players with their fresh tans, Haaland aside - he's spent the last month plugged into his docking station having a firmware upgrade and a battery service.

World Cup was fun eh? On the pitch, some decent stuff. Great final. Lovely narrative. 

However, the real moral of the story is that public opinion has finally turned against one of the great villains of our generation. His stupid fashion choices, his general charlatan nature and his lamentable approach to publicity have come full circle and bitten him right in the backside. I of course refer to Gianni Infantino/Salt Bae (delete as appropriate). 

What a colossal donut. Today, I feel......vindicated.

To the predos:

M17 (Boxing Day+ Predos)



Good luck all & enjoy whatever the next week brings.