S13M4: Shirt over Hoody

3 games in, 1 to go before the first break in the season. Long time readers will know my disdain for international breaks, and to be honest, international football in general. Why can't we get to that Marxist ideal of no nation states, and just a global workers' paradise where say, nation states can't buy football clubs, or PE vultures can't come in and blow £1bn in 15 months.  I think the only footballing owners (assuming the clubs aren't returned to fan ownership and/or me with indefinite resources) should be self-made ranch owning people with a real interest in sports entertainment. And Tony Bloom because that story is nice. Heartwarming and stuff. 

In fact, having a look at all the owners of PL clubs, only 5 pass the Impossibilitee Fit & Proper Owners Test (IFPOT). I will allow Kroenke (post 2018), Shahid Khan (Wrestling, brilliant), Fenway (Moneyball), Luton as fan owned, Glazers for LOLs. The Nottingham Forest bloke should be allowed but gave Arsenal Covid so he's banned for life. Not great work from the FA.

Anyway, last time out, Chelsea clicked to beat Luton comfortably 3-0. Raheem reincarnated by Argentine parrilla. Spurs comfortably beat Bournemouth. The SouthWestish London derby ended all squares at the AliGTech and early *shock* goals at the Emirates and Old Trafford ended up with 10-man Fulham being elated with their rescued point whilst 10-man Forest ran out of puff against a resurgent Man Utd. Probably given Covid by their owner....

In fact, losing a man seemed so be helpful....more on this in a second.

The late game saw a massive shock with Brighton being dismantled at home by West Ham, although stats suggest a very different game. Didn't watch it. The Sunday saw Man City wobble to a late win against Sheffield United, Villa won leg one of the Claret-Blue TriDerby against Burnley before game of the weekend came at St James Park. Newcastle absolutely flew at Liverpool, with Trent lucky to escape a red card (Tomiyasu says Hi), van Dijk receiving a red card and Gordon putting Newcastle 1-0 up within the first 30 mins. However, in the last 10 minutes, Darwin (finally...thanks FPL gods) got some minutes, scored twice, bingo bango bongo, Liverpool get a massive win and Eddie Howe looks very angry. He's a weird one. Gone from golden boy at Bournemouth 10 years ago to just quite annoying, so happy with that.

Especially if the Saudis then come and take Salah this week. Take Alisson too.

Let's get statty:

This week, 26 people played
Most popular predicted result: Arsenal WIN (26/26 - 100%)
Most disputed prediction: Newcastle vs Liverpool (12-7-7 split respectively - 46%-27%-27%)

Highest odds: Aron Kleiman (4018/1)
Lowest odds: AFM (169/1)
Average odds: 1124/1

Best predictors: Massey Rating, Hannah Skolnick & David Silverman (7/10)
Worst predictor: Loads of 4/10s
Average score: 5.15/10

Best predicted result: Spurs WIN (24/26 - 92%)
Worst predicted result: Arsenal-Fulham DRAW & West Ham WIN (0/26 - 0%)

Everyone's results:

For the first time this season.....the Leaderboard! For those new, to get on the leaderboard, you have to have played >2/3 of available weeks (ie this week it's all 3 matches). I'll also put an asterisk next to those who've played >80% of weeks from next week (ie this week, it's still....all 3 matches....) who are in the hunt for the cash prize still.

Very, very high range but it's early days yet. Things change fast at this time of the season.

To this week's predos:


Good luck all!