Not sure if everyone tallied and reported their scores from last year but assuming all the contenders did, big congrats to last year's winner @waitforit winning back to back! The rules are simple, we each post our predictions on the topics below. We won't lock up the thread, as in earlier years, instead keeping it open to post results as different questions are answered. However, to be in the running for all the points you need to get your predictions in before the results are known; we are ignoring the Super Copa and starting with the first Liga match on August 20th. Same as the past seasons, there are two different categories of predictions: The ones with points posted next to them are objective, fact-based predictions. These all tally up towards your finals score. The point system makes tougher predictions be worth more points. The ones without points posted next to them are subjective predictions, and can't really be objectively judged. These are just for fun. Once again, a special thanks to @unclesox for working out the original point system. And as with past editions, thanks to @jfcule, @Rana catesbeiana, @inswinger, @os_mutante and @Viscaelbarca for their help and suggestions for some new questions. Barça Predictions Who will score the first Liga goal? (50 pts) Which defender will score first? (75 pts) First own goal? (75 pts) Who will receive the first booking? (75 pts) Which player will be sent off first? (75 pts) Will Valverde be sent off this season? (Yes 25 points/ No 50 pts) Barca Pichichi: (25 pts) Top goal scorer other than Suarez and Messi (25 points) How many goals will the team score in La Liga? (100 pts exact tally; 50 pts ±5 within exact tally; 25 pts ±10 within exact tally) In no particular order, list the three players that will top our MOTM poll. (25 pts each) Name the top midfielder in our MOTM poll. (25 points) Name the top defender in our MOTM poll. (25 points) Will the team bring in a new player during the January window (includes cantera promotion)? (25 pts) Five Barca players with most Liga minutes? (25 points each). Subjective/Opinion-based re BARCA (no points will be awarded) Best signing: Most disappointing signing: Best promoted player (cantera): Most improved player: OLE of the season: Will Barca spend all the Neymar money this summer (total transfer fees in excess of 222M Euros)? Will Barca Sign Dembele? Will Barca Sign Coutinho? Will Barca Sign Inigo? La Liga Wide Predictions Pichichi: (50 pts) Goal tally of Pichichi winner: (100 pts for exact answer, 50 within 2 goals, 25 within 5 goals) Scorer of most penalties: (75 pts) Zamora: (50 pts) First coaching change after August 20th: (100 pts) How many points will La Liga champion finish with? (100 pts exact tally; 50 pts ±5 within exact tally) UCL qualifiers (4 - intended to be top 4 Liga positions): (25 pts each) Europa League qualifiers (3 - intended to be 5th and 6th Liga positions plus CdR winner or 7th place in Liga if CdR winner makes CL): (50 pts each) Relegated teams (3 - intended to be 18th-20th in Liga standing ignoring financial relegation or points deductions): (50 pts each) Four Copa del Rey semifinalists: (50 pts each) IGNORING THE GAMES PLAYED BEFORE AUGUST 20TH, how many Clasicos will be played this season overall: (50 pts) Scoreline of the two Liga clasicos? (100 pts each) Liga-wide Subjective/Opinion-based (no points will be awarded) Best signing: Biggest bust: Breakthrough player: Young player to look for: Predictions outside La Liga: UEFA Best Player in Europe Award correct order of finish amongst finalists Buffon, Messi, and Ronaldo - 50 pts): FIFA Balon d'Or shortlist (3) (25 pts each): FIFA Balon d'Or winner: (75 pts) In relation with La Liga / Premier League / Bundesliga / Serie A / Ligue 1: • Which league will see the first coaching change after August 20? (100 pts) • Which league will have the last unbeaten side? (100 pts) (Since the leagues have staggered opening dates, correct answer will be based on league matchday #.) Premier League champions: (50 pts) Premier League Golden Boot (50 pts) Serie A champions: (50 pts) Serie A Capocannoniere: (50 pts) Bundesliga champions: (50 pts) Bundesliga Torjägerkanone (50 pts) Ligue 1 champions: (50 pts) Ligue 1 Top scorer (50 pts) Correct league of the Golden Boot winner (50 points) CL semifinalists: (50 pts each) EL semifinalists: (100 pts each) Will Europa League be won by a CL third place team? (25 pts) Will a team outside the "big 5 leagues (Spain, Germany, England, Italy & France)" make the CL quarterfinals (yes 50, no 25)? Will a team outside the "big 5 leagues (Spain, Germany, England, Italy & France)" make the Europa semifinals (25)? Will the Club World Championship feature the champs of Europe and South America in the final? (yes 25, no 50 pts)
Barça Predictions Who will score the first Liga goal? (50 pts): Paco Which defender will score first? (75 pts): Pique First own goal? (75 pts): Pique Who will receive the first booking? (75 pts): Mascherano Which player will be sent off first? (75 pts): Mascherano Will Valverde be sent off this season? (Yes 25 points/ No 50 pts): No Barca Pichichi: (25 pts): Suarez Top goal scorer other than Suarez and Messi (25 points): Paco How many goals will the team score in La Liga? (100 pts exact tally; 50 pts ±5 within exact tally; 25 pts ±10 within exact tally): 103 In no particular order, list the three players that will top our MOTM poll. (25 pts each): Roberto, Messi, Suarez Name the top midfielder in our MOTM poll. (25 points): Roberto Name the top defender in our MOTM poll. (25 points): Umtiti Will the team bring in a new player during the January window (includes cantera promotion)? (25 pts) Yes Five Barca players with most Liga minutes? (25 points each). Messi, Roberto, Alba, Umtiti, Pique Subjective/Opinion-based re BARCA (no points will be awarded) Best signing: Yerry Mina Most disappointing signing: Paulinho Best promoted player (cantera): Alena Most improved player: Paco OLE of the season: Paco Will Barca spend all the Neymar money this summer (total transfer fees in excess of 222M Euros)? no Will Barca Sign Dembele? no Will Barca Sign Coutinho? no Will Barca Sign Inigo? no La Liga Wide Predictions Pichichi: (50 pts): Suarez Goal tally of Pichichi winner: (100 pts for exact answer, 50 within 2 goals, 25 within 5 goals): 39 Scorer of most penalties: (75 pts): Penaldo Zamora: (50 pts): MATS First coaching change after August 20th: (100 pts): Marcelino How many points will La Liga champion finish with? 88 (100 pts exact tally; 50 pts ±5 within exact tally) UCL qualifiers (4 - intended to be top 4 Liga positions): (25 pts each): Athleti, Barca, Bilbao, LPB Europa League qualifiers (3 - intended to be 5th and 6th Liga positions plus CdR winner or 7th place in Liga if CdR winner makes CL): (50 pts each) Villareal, Valencia Relegated teams (3 - intended to be 18th-20th in Liga standing ignoring financial relegation or points deductions): (50 pts each): Depor, Leganes, Girona Four Copa del Rey semifinalists: (50 pts each): Sevilla, Barca, LPB, Atleti IGNORING THE GAMES PLAYED BEFORE AUGUST 20TH, how many Clasicos will be played this season overall: (50 pts): 5 Scoreline of the two Liga clasicos? (100 pts each): 3-1, 2-2 Liga-wide Subjective/Opinion-based (no points will be awarded) Best signing: Vitolo Biggest bust: Sergio Garcia Breakthrough player: Enes Unal Young player to look for: Enes Unal Predictions outside La Liga: UEFA Best Player in Europe Award correct order of finish amongst finalists Buffon, Messi, and Ronaldo - 50 pts): Messi FIFA Balon d'Or shortlist (3) (25 pts each): Buffon, Messi, Pendejo FIFA Balon d'Or winner: (75 pts) Buffon In relation with La Liga / Premier League / Bundesliga / Serie A / Ligue 1: • Which league will see the first coaching change after August 20? (100 pts): Bundesliga • Which league will have the last unbeaten side? (100 pts): Ligue 1 (Since the leagues have staggered opening dates, correct answer will be based on league matchday #.) Premier League champions: (50 pts): Spurs Premier League Golden Boot (50 pts): Harry Kane Serie A champions: (50 pts): Juventus Serie A Capocannoniere: (50 pts): Immobile Bundesliga champions: (50 pts): Bayern Bundesliga Torjägerkanone (50 pts): Levandowski Ligue 1 champions: (50 pts): PSG Ligue 1 Top scorer (50 pts): Cavani Correct league of the Golden Boot winner (50 points): Espana CL semifinalists: (50 pts each): LPB, Juve, PSG, Dortmund EL semifinalists: (100 pts each): Bilbao, AC Milan, Ajax, Everton Will Europa League be won by a CL third place team? (25 pts): No Will a team outside the "big 5 leagues (Spain, Germany, England, Italy & France)" make the CL quarterfinals (yes 50, no 25)?: No Will a team outside the "big 5 leagues (Spain, Germany, England, Italy & France)" make the Europa semifinals (25)?: Yes Will the Club World Championship feature the champs of Europe and South America in the final? (yes 25, no 50 pts)[/QUOTE] Yes
Barça Predictions Who will score the first Liga goal? (50 pts) Messi Which defender will score first? (75 pts) Pique First own goal? (75 pts) No one Who will receive the first booking? (75 pts) Rakitic Which player will be sent off first? (75 pts) Pique Will Valverde be sent off this season? (Yes 25 points/ No 50 pts) No Barca Pichichi: (25 pts) Messi Top goal scorer other than Suarez and Messi (25 points) Paco How many goals will the team score in La Liga? (100 pts exact tally; 50 pts ±5 within exact tally; 25 pts ±10 within exact tally) 93 In no particular order, list the three players that will top our MOTM poll. (25 pts each) Messi, Suarez, Umtiti, Name the top midfielder in our MOTM poll. (25 points) Busi Name the top defender in our MOTM poll. (25 points) Umtiti Will the team bring in a new player during the January window (includes cantera promotion)? (25 pts) Yes Five Barca players with most Liga minutes? (25 points each). Messi, Suarez, Umtiti, MATS, Pique Subjective/Opinion-based re BARCA (no points will be awarded) Best signing: Semedo Most disappointing signing: Deulofeu Best promoted player (cantera): No ideea Most improved player: Paulinho? OLE of the season: Will Barca spend all the Neymar money this summer (total transfer fees in excess of 222M Euros)? No Will Barca Sign Dembele? Yes Will Barca Sign Coutinho? No Will Barca Sign Inigo? No La Liga Wide Predictions Pichichi: (50 pts) Messi Goal tally of Pichichi winner: (100 pts for exact answer, 50 within 2 goals, 25 within 5 goals) 36 Scorer of most penalties: (75 pts) CR7 Zamora: (50 pts) Navas First coaching change after August 20th: (100 pts) Betis How many points will La Liga champion finish with? (100 pts exact tally; 50 pts ±5 within exact tally) 90 UCL qualifiers (4 - intended to be top 4 Liga positions): (25 pts each) Barca, Real, Pathetico, Sevilla Europa League qualifiers (3 - intended to be 5th and 6th Liga positions plus CdR winner or 7th place in Liga if CdR winner makes CL): (50 pts each) Villareal, Valencia (they will be back) Bilbao Relegated teams (3 - intended to be 18th-20th in Liga standing ignoring financial relegation or points deductions): (50 pts each) Getafe, Alaves,SuperDepor Four Copa del Rey semifinalists: (50 pts each) IGNORING THE GAMES PLAYED BEFORE AUGUST 20TH, how many Clasicos will be played this season overall: (50 pts) 4 Scoreline of the two Liga clasicos? (100 pts each) 4-1 at Camp Nou 1-2 loss at SB Liga-wide Subjective/Opinion-based (no points will be awarded) Best signing: Muriel Biggest bust: Theo Hernandez Breakthrough player: Young player to look for: Yarro Mina Predictions outside La Liga: UEFA Best Player in Europe Award correct order of finish amongst finalists Buffon, Messi, and Ronaldo - 50 pts): CR7, Buffon, Messi FIFA Balon d'Or shortlist (3) (25 pts each):CR7, Buffon, Messi FIFA Balon d'Or winner: (75 pts) Hairspary In relation with La Liga / Premier League / Bundesliga / Serie A / Ligue 1: • Which league will see the first coaching change after August 20? (100 pts) Serie A • Which league will have the last unbeaten side? (100 pts) Ligue 1 (Since the leagues have staggered opening dates, correct answer will be based on league matchday #.) Premier League champions: (50 pts) City Premier League Golden Boot (50 pts) Kane Serie A champions: (50 pts) Juve Serie A Capocannoniere: (50 pts) Higuain Bundesliga champions: (50 pts) Bayern Bundesliga Torjägerkanone (50 pts) Lewa Ligue 1 champions: (50 pts) PSG Ligue 1 Top scorer (50 pts) Cavani Correct league of the Golden Boot winner (50 points) La Liga CL semifinalists: (50 pts each) wait for the draw EL semifinalists: (100 pts each) wait for the draw Will Europa League be won by a CL third place team? (25 pts) No Will a team outside the "big 5 leagues (Spain, Germany, England, Italy & France)" make the CL quarterfinals (yes 50, no 25)? Yes Will a team outside the "big 5 leagues (Spain, Germany, England, Italy & France)" make the Europa semifinals (25)? Yes Will the Club World Championship feature the champs of Europe and South America in the final? (yes 25, no 50 pts) Yes
Thanks to Morrissey and Waitforit getting us started, here are mine, get yours in before kickoff tomorrow to be eligible for all points, but often only one or two categories are decided then (and if first goal is scored by an unlikely candidate...) so feel free to join in later, you'll still be in the running for nearly all the points: Barça Predictions Who will score the first Liga goal? (50 pts) MESSI Which defender will score first? (75 pts) PIQUE First own goal? (75 pts) ALBA Who will receive the first booking? (75 pts) PIQUE Which player will be sent off first? (75 pts) BUSQUETS Will Valverde be sent off this season? (Yes 25 points/ No 50 pts) NO Barca Pichichi: (25 pts) MESSI Top goal scorer other than Suarez and Messi (25 points) PACO How many goals will the team score in La Liga? (100 pts exact tally; 50 pts ±5 within exact tally; 25 pts ±10 within exact tally) 109 In no particular order, list the three players that will top our MOTM poll. (25 pts each) MESSI, SUAREZ, UMTITI Name the top midfielder in our MOTM poll. (25 points) BUSQUETS Name the top defender in our MOTM poll. (25 points) UMTITI Will the team bring in a new player during the January window (includes cantera promotion)? (25 pts) YES Five Barca players with most Liga minutes? (25 points each). PIQUE, MATS, MESSI, BUSQUETS, UMTITI Subjective/Opinion-based re BARCA (no points will be awarded) Best signing: SEMEDO Most disappointing signing: DEULOFEU (hope I'm wrong) Best promoted player (cantera): ALENA (if he gets minutes with first team) Most improved player: PACO OLE of the season: LOSING NEYMAR, NOT BEING PREPARED WITH A PLAN B La Liga Wide Predictions Pichichi: (50 pts) MESSI Goal tally of Pichichi winner: (100 pts for exact answer, 50 within 2 goals, 25 within 5 goals) 36 Scorer of most penalties: (75 pts) RONALDO Zamora: (50 pts) OBLAK First coaching change after August 20th: (100 pts) LAS PALMAS How many points will La Liga champion finish with? 91 (100 pts exact tally; 50 pts ±5 within exact tally) UCL qualifiers (4 - intended to be top 4 Liga positions): (25 pts each) REAL MADRID, BARCA, ATLETICO, SEVILLA Europa League qualifiers (3 - intended to be 5th and 6th Liga positions plus CdR winner or 7th place in Liga if CdR winner makes CL): (50 pts each) BILBAO, VILLARREAL, REAL SOCIEDAD Relegated teams (3 - intended to be 18th-20th in Liga standing ignoring financial relegation or points deductions): (50 pts each) GIRONA, LEVANTE, GETAFE Four Copa del Rey semifinalists: (50 pts each): ATLETICO, BILBAO, REAL MADRID, BARCA IGNORING THE GAMES PLAYED BEFORE AUGUST 20TH, how many Clasicos will be played this season overall: (50 pts) JUST THE 2 LIGA ONES SINCE WE ARE IGNORING PRESEASON AND SUPER COPA Scoreline of the two Liga clasicos? (100 pts each) AWAY WE LOSE 2-1; HOME WE WIN 3-2 Liga-wide Subjective/Opinion-based (no points will be awarded) Best signing: Biggest bust: Breakthrough player: Young player to look for: Predictions outside La Liga: UEFA Best Player in Europe Award correct order of finish amongst finalists Buffon, Messi, and Ronaldo - 50 pts): RONALDO, MESSI, BUFFON FIFA Balon d'Or shortlist (3) (25 pts each): RONALDO, MESSI, BUFFON FIFA Balon d'Or winner: (75 pts) RONALDO In relation with La Liga / Premier League / Bundesliga / Serie A / Ligue 1: • Which league will see the first coaching change after August 20? (100 pts) ITALY • Which league will have the last unbeaten side? (100 pts) FRANCE (Since the leagues have staggered opening dates, correct answer will be based on league matchday #.) Premier League champions: (50 pts) MAN CITY Premier League Golden Boot (50 pts) LUKAKU Serie A champions: (50 pts) JUVENTUS Serie A Capocannoniere: (50 pts) HIGUAIN Bundesliga champions: (50 pts) BAYERN Bundesliga Torjägerkanone (50 pts) LEWA Ligue 1 champions: (50 pts) PSG Ligue 1 Top scorer (50 pts) NEYMAR Correct league of the Golden Boot winner (50 points) SPANISH LIGA CL semifinalists: (50 pts each) REAL, PSG, BAYERN, BARCA EL semifinalists: (100 pts each) AC MILAN, ARSENAL, LYON, BILBAO Will Europa League be won by a CL third place team? (25 pts) NO Will a team outside the "big 5 leagues (Spain, Germany, England, Italy & France)" make the CL quarterfinals (yes 50, no 25)? YES Will a team outside the "big 5 leagues (Spain, Germany, England, Italy & France)" make the Europa semifinals (25)? NO Will the Club World Championship feature the champs of Europe and South America in the final? (yes 25, no 50 pts) YES
IN IT TO WIN IT Barça Predictions Who will score the first Liga goal? (50 pts) MESSI Which defender will score first? (75 pts) PIQUE First own goal? (75 pts) ALBA Who will receive the first booking? (75 pts) MASCHERANO Which player will be sent off first? (75 pts) VIDAL Will Valverde be sent off this season? (Yes 25 points/ No 50 pts) NO Barca Pichichi: (25 pts) MESSI (C'mon, he might outscore the rest of the team combined) Top goal scorer other than Suarez and Messi (25 points) PACO How many goals will the team score in La Liga? (100 pts exact tally; 50 pts ±5 within exact tally; 25 pts ±10 within exact tally) 102 In no particular order, list the three players that will top our MOTM poll. (25 pts each) MESSI, L. SUAREZ, UMTITI Name the top midfielder in our MOTM poll. (25 points) SERGI ROBERTO Name the top defender in our MOTM poll. (25 points) UMTITI Will the team bring in a new player during the January window (includes cantera promotion)? (25 pts) YES Five Barca players with most Liga minutes? (25 points each). MESSI, MATS, BUSQUETS, PIQUE, UMTITI Subjective/Opinion-based re BARCA (no points will be awarded) Best signing: Semedo Most disappointing signing: Whoever we get to 'replace' Neymar at LF, or Deulofeu Best promoted player (cantera): Aleñá (is there anyone else? ) Most improved player: Gomes OLE of the season: This goddamn board has already sealed up this award. Will Barca spend all the Neymar money this summer (total transfer fees in excess of 222M Euros)? No Will Barca Sign Dembele? Yes Will Barca Sign Coutinho? No Will Barca Sign Inigo? No La Liga Wide Predictions Pichichi: (50 pts) MESSI Goal tally of Pichichi winner: (100 pts for exact answer, 50 within 2 goals, 25 within 5 goals) 41 Scorer of most penalties: (75 pts) PENALDO Zamora: (50 pts) OBLAK First coaching change after August 20th: (100 pts) DEPORTIVO How many points will La Liga champion finish with? 93 (100 pts exact tally; 50 pts ±5 within exact tally) UCL qualifiers (4 - intended to be top 4 Liga positions): (25 pts each) LPB, BARÇA, ATLETI, SEVILLA Europa League qualifiers (3 - intended to be 5th and 6th Liga positions plus CdR winner or 7th place in Liga if CdR winner makes CL): (50 pts each) CELTA, ATHLETIC, REAL SOCIEDAD Relegated teams (3 - intended to be 18th-20th in Liga standing ignoring financial relegation or points deductions): (50 pts each) DEPORTIVO, GETAFE, LEGANES Four Copa del Rey semifinalists: (50 pts each) LPB, CELTA, VALENCIA, ATHLETIC IGNORING THE GAMES PLAYED BEFORE AUGUST 20TH, how many Clasicos will be played this season overall: (50 pts) 2 Scoreline of the two Liga clasicos? (100 pts each) AWAY: LPB 4-2 FCB, HOME FCB 2-1 LPB Liga-wide Subjective/Opinion-based (no points will be awarded) Best signing: Stuani (Girona) Biggest bust: Paulinho Breakthrough player: Diego Lllorente (R. Sociedad) Young player to look for: Ceballos & Asensio (LPB) Predictions outside La Liga: UEFA Best Player in Europe Award correct order of finish amongst finalists Buffon, Messi, and Ronaldo - 50 pts): CR7, MESSI, BUFFON FIFA Balon d'Or shortlist (3) (25 pts each): CR7, MESSI, BUFFON FIFA Balon d'Or winner: (75 pts) CR7 In relation with La Liga / Premier League / Bundesliga / Serie A / Ligue 1: • Which league will see the first coaching change after August 20? (100 pts) LIGUE 1 • Which league will have the last unbeaten side? (100 pts) LIGUE 1 (Since the leagues have staggered opening dates, correct answer will be based on league matchday #.) Premier League champions: (50 pts) PEP'S CITEH Premier League Golden Boot (50 pts) LUKAKU Serie A champions: (50 pts) JUVE Serie A Capocannoniere: (50 pts) DYBALA Bundesliga champions: (50 pts) BAYERN Bundesliga Torjägerkanone (50 pts) LEWANDOWSKI Ligue 1 champions: (50 pts) PEE HISS GEE Ligue 1 Top scorer (50 pts) CAVANI Correct league of the Golden Boot winner (50 points) LA LIGA CL semifinalists: (50 pts each) LPB, CHELSEA, JUVE, BAYERN EL semifinalists: (100 pts each) MILAN, REAL SOCIEDAD, LYON, LAZIO Will Europa League be won by a CL third place team? (25 pts) NO Will a team outside the "big 5 leagues (Spain, Germany, England, Italy & France)" make the CL quarterfinals (yes 50, no 25)? NO Will a team outside the "big 5 leagues (Spain, Germany, England, Italy & France)" make the Europa semifinals (25)? YES Will the Club World Championship feature the champs of Europe and South America in the final? (yes 25, no 50 pts) YES
So many unknowns at this point. I don't remember a season with as many unknowns at the time of the first match day. I'll guess I'll forfeit today's points and wait a bit.
So first goal was an OG (looked like Messi at first but Betis defender nicked it to the corner of the goal before Messi could). First actual Barca scored goal was Roberto. No one had either. Point is NO ONE SCORED any points, so don't let your delay in posting prevent you from entering! Also, no cards yet, so get your predictions in at halftime for first card, first send off (not that we will have anyone sent off today, JINX).
So far no one has ANY points, first goal as OG or Roberto if OG did not count but I think OG would count; and first booking was Alba which no one predicted. So the point remains that while I am sorry I did not post the thread a bit sooner, it is NOT TOO LATE to join in, no one is ahead of you. Just leave those two predictions blank.
Beginning last year FIFA was longer a part of the Ballon d'Or. The Ballon is back with France Football magazine and is voted on by journalists. FIFA now has the Best Player award which is voted on by national team captains and coaches. So should we make one pick for each?
dang! i actually would have gotten Alba-first-booking right! i have some of it filled out already but figured i'd wait till the end of this week to post. we could still have up to 3-4 new players coming in and just as many or more departing. so much still up in the air, i can't predict what'll happen in the next ten days, let alone the rest of the season. we could do another prediction thread just on guessing the final squad for the season?
Barça Predictions will score the first Liga goal? (50 pts) Which defender will score first? (75 pts) Piqué First own goal? (75 pts) Mascherano Who will receive the first booking? (75 pts) Which player will be sent off first? (75 pts) Piqué Will Valverde be sent off this season? (Yes 25 points/ No 50 pts) No Barca Pichichi: (25 pts) Messi Top goal scorer other than Suarez and Messi (25 points) Sergi Roberto How many goals will the team score in La Liga? (100 pts exact tally; 50 pts ±5 within exact tally; 25 pts ±10 within exact tally) 98 In no particular order, list the three players that will top our MOTM poll. (25 pts each) Messi, L.Suarez, Umtiti Name the top midfielder in our MOTM poll. (25 points) Paulinho Name the top defender in our MOTM poll. (25 points) Umtiti Will the team bring in a new player during the January window (includes cantera promotion)? (25 pts) Yes Five Barca players with most Liga minutes? (25 points each) Messi, ter Stegen, Umtiti, L. Suarez, Semedo Subjective/Opinion-based re BARCA (no points will be awarded) Best signing: Most disappointing signing: Best promoted player (cantera): Most improved player: OLE of the season: Will Barca spend all the Neymar money this summer (total transfer fees in excess of 222M Euros)? Will Barca Sign Dembele? Will Barca Sign Coutinho? Will Barca Sign Inigo? La Liga Wide Predictions Pichichi: (50 pts) Messi Goal tally of Pichichi winner: (100 pts for exact answer, 50 within 2 goals, 25 within 5 goals) 37 Scorer of most penalties: (75 pts) The tanned baby maker Zamora: (50 pts) Oblak First coaching change after August 20th: (100 pts) Víctor Sánchez (Betis) How many points will La Liga champion finish with? (100 pts exact tally; 50 pts ±5 within exact tally) 94 UCL qualifiers (4 - intended to be top 4 Liga positions): (25 pts each) Barca. LPB, Sevilla, Atletico Madrid Europa League qualifiers (3 - intended to be 5th and 6th Liga positions plus CdR winner or 7th place in Liga if CdR winner makes CL): (50 pts each) Villarreal, Valencia, Athletic Bilbao Relegated teams (3 - intended to be 18th-20th in Liga standing ignoring financial relegation or points deductions): (50 pts each) Levante, Girona, Deportivo Four Copa del Rey semifinalists: (50 pts each) Barca, LPB, Sevilla, a random second division side IGNORING THE GAMES PLAYED BEFORE AUGUST 20TH, how many Clasicos will be played this season overall: (50 pts) 4 Scoreline of the two Liga clasicos? (100 pts each) 4-2 2-2 Liga-wide Subjective/Opinion-based (no points will be awarded) Best signing: Biggest bust: Breakthrough player: Young player to look for: Predictions outside La Liga: UEFA Best Player in Europe Award correct order of finish amongst finalists Buffon, Messi, and Ronaldo - 50 pts): Cristionado, Buffon, Messi Ballon d'Or shortlist (3) (25 pts each): Cristionado, Messi, Buffon Ballon d'Or winner: (75 pts) Cristionado (I don't care about the FIFA popularity award.) In relation with La Liga / Premier League / Bundesliga / Serie A / Ligue 1: • Which league will see the first coaching change after August 20? (100 pts) Serie A • Which league will have the last unbeaten side? (100 pts) Ligue 1 (Since the leagues have staggered opening dates, correct answer will be based on league matchday #.) Premier League champions: (50 pts) Manchester City Premier League Golden Boot (50 pts) Lukaku Serie A champions: (50 pts) Milan Serie A Capocannoniere: (50 pts) Mertens Bundesliga champions: (50 pts) Bayern Bundesliga Torjägerkanone (50 pts) Lewandowski Ligue 1 champions: (50 pts) PSG Ligue 1 Top scorer (50 pts) Cavani Correct league of the Golden Boot winner (50 points) La Liga CL semifinalists: (50 pts each) LPB, Bayern, PSG, Atletico Madrid... EL semifinalists: (100 pts each) Arsenal, Milan, Athletic Bilbao, 1. FC KÖLN... Will Europa League be won by a CL third place team? (25 pts) Nope Will a team outside the "big 5 leagues (Spain, Germany, England, Italy & France)" make the CL quarterfinals (yes 50, no 25)? Nope Will a team outside the "big 5 leagues (Spain, Germany, England, Italy & France)" make the Europa semifinals (25)? Yes Will the Club World Championship feature the champs of Europe and South America in the final? (yes 25, no 50 pts) Yes
Last year I did a bunch of random questions for points about the end of the transfer window like who would be loaned or sold or stay, would we sign a new forward, who'd be Liga keeper, who'd be our main Right Back, who else might break into (and out of) the 'grand once', etc. but this year I'm just a bit too confused and jaded and pressed for time so I kept the questions for points pretty limited to the tried and true questions we've had for the past few seasons. Sorry you missed out on the Alba points.
Couple questions - can a mod sticky this thread and un-sticky the 9th Annual one? 2nd question is a bit weirder - To the extent that our squad (or other squads) changes before transfer deadline, I assume it is OK to change predictions not yet determined. Mainly thinking about 3rd highest goal scorer (after Messi and Suarez), but a late transfer from one league to another might also impact who you picked to win a league or be top scorer. I'm fine either way on this one but it would help to have clarity for all of us, if a couple forum regulars want to weigh in.
Barça Predictions will score the first Liga goal? (50 pts) Which defender will score first? (75 pts) Aleix First own goal? (75 pts) Mascherano Who will receive the first booking? (75 pts) Which player will be sent off first? (75 pts) Mascherano Will Valverde be sent off this season? (Yes 25 points/ No 50 pts) No Barca Pichichi: (25 pts) Messi Top goal scorer other than Suarez and Messi (25 points) Dembele How many goals will the team score in La Liga? (100 pts exact tally; 50 pts ±5 within exact tally; 25 pts ±10 within exact tally) 103 In no particular order, list the three players that will top our MOTM poll. (25 pts each) Messi, Dembele, Suarez Name the top midfielder in our MOTM poll. (25 points) Sergi Roberto Name the top defender in our MOTM poll. (25 points) Umtiti Will the team bring in a new player during the January window (includes cantera promotion)? (25 pts) Yes Five Barca players with most Liga minutes? (25 points each) Messi, MATS, Pique, Dembele, Suarez, Subjective/Opinion-based re BARCA (no points will be awarded) Best signing: Dembele Most disappointing signing: Deulofeu (we expect nothing from Paulinho) Best promoted player (cantera): Aleña Most improved player: Umtiti (yes, he'll be even better) OLE of the season: Paulinho Will Barca spend all the Neymar money this summer (total transfer fees in excess of 222M Euros)? Will Barca Sign Dembele? Will Barca Sign Coutinho? Yes Will Barca Sign Inigo? No La Liga Wide Predictions Pichichi: (50 pts) Messi Goal tally of Pichichi winner: (100 pts for exact answer, 50 within 2 goals, 25 within 5 goals) 35 Scorer of most penalties: (75 pts) CR14,5 Zamora: (50 pts) MATS First coaching change after August 20th: (100 pts) Fran Escriba (Villarreal) How many points will La Liga champion finish with? (100 pts exact tally; 50 pts ±5 within exact tally) 93 UCL qualifiers (4 - intended to be top 4 Liga positions): (25 pts each) FCB, LPB, Sevilla, Patetico Europa League qualifiers (3 - intended to be 5th and 6th Liga positions plus CdR winner or 7th place in Liga if CdR winner makes CL): (50 pts each) Real Sociedad, Athletic Bilbao, Betis, Valencia Relegated teams (3 - intended to be 18th-20th in Liga standing ignoring financial relegation or points deductions): (50 pts each) Getafe, Depor, Levante Four Copa del Rey semifinalists: (50 pts each) Barca, Athletic, Sevilla, Betis IGNORING THE GAMES PLAYED BEFORE AUGUST 20TH, how many Clasicos will be played this season overall: (50 pts) 4 Scoreline of the two Liga clasicos? (100 pts each) 1-3 at Mierdaveo 2-1 at home Liga-wide Subjective/Opinion-based (no points will be awarded) Best signing: Boudebouz (Betis) Biggest bust: Ceballos (LPB) Breakthrough player: Maffeo(Girona) Young player to look for: Maxi Gomez (Celta) Predictions outside La Liga: UEFA Best Player in Europe Award correct order of finish amongst finalists Buffon, Messi, and Ronaldo - 50 pts): Ballon d'Or shortlist (3) (25 pts each): Crissy, Messi, Buffon Ballon d'Or winner: (75 pts) Messi (I don't care about the FIFA popularity award.) In relation with La Liga / Premier League / Bundesliga / Serie A / Ligue 1: • Which league will see the first coaching change after August 20? (100 pts) La Liga • Which league will have the last unbeaten side? (100 pts) Ligue 1 (Since the leagues have staggered opening dates, correct answer will be based on league matchday #.) Premier League champions: (50 pts) Man U Premier League Golden Boot (50 pts) Lukaku Serie A champions: (50 pts) Juve Serie A Capocannoniere: (50 pts) Higuain Bundesliga champions: (50 pts) BVB Bundesliga Torjägerkanone (50 pts) Lewandowski Ligue 1 champions: (50 pts) PSG Ligue 1 Top scorer (50 pts) Mbappe Correct league of the Golden Boot winner (50 points) La Liga CL semifinalists: (50 pts each) FCB, Bayern, Juve, Sevilla EL semifinalists: (100 pts each) Arsenal, Athletic, AC Milan, AS Roma, Will Europa League be won by a CL third place team? (25 pts) Yes Will a team outside the "big 5 leagues (Spain, Germany, England, Italy & France)" make the CL quarterfinals (yes 50, no 25)? No Will a team outside the "big 5 leagues (Spain, Germany, England, Italy & France)" make the Europa semifinals (25)? No Will the Club World Championship feature the champs of Europe and South America in the final? (yes 25, no 50 pts) Yes
Done Given that it's been such a volatile window, and that 1 or 2 big signings are still in the cards(and the domino effect that they cause), I'm all for it
Barça Predictions Who will score the first Liga goal? (50 pts) xx Which defender will score first? (75 pts) Umtiti First own goal? (75 pts) Pique Who will receive the first booking? (75 pts) xx Which player will be sent off first? (75 pts) TerStegen Will Valverde be sent off this season? (Yes 25 points/ No 50 pts) No Barca Pichichi: (25 pts) Messi Top goal scorer other than Suarez and Messi (25 points) Dembele How many goals will the team score in La Liga? (100 pts exact tally; 50 pts ±5 within exact tally; 25 pts ±10 within exact tally) 89 In no particular order, list the three players that will top our MOTM poll. (25 pts each) Messi, Dembele, (my third pick will be added after the transfer window closes) Name the top midfielder in our MOTM poll. (25 points) (answer after transfer window closes) Name the top defender in our MOTM poll. (25 points) Umtiti Will the team bring in a new player during the January window (includes cantera promotion)? (25 pts) Yes Five Barca players with most Liga minutes? (25 points each). Messi, TerStegen, Busquets, Umtiti, (fifth pick will be selected after transfer window closes) Subjective/Opinion-based re BARCA (no points will be awarded) Best signing: (pending) Most disappointing signing: (pending) Best promoted player (cantera): Alena Most improved player: Paco OLE of the season: Vidal Will Barca spend all the Neymar money this summer (total transfer fees in excess of 222M Euros)? Yes Will Barca Sign Dembele? Yes Will Barca Sign Coutinho? Yes Will Barca Sign Inigo? No La Liga Wide Predictions Pichichi: (50 pts) Messi Goal tally of Pichichi winner: (100 pts for exact answer, 50 within 2 goals, 25 within 5 goals) 38 Scorer of most penalties: (75 pts) CR7 Zamora: (50 pts) Keylor First coaching change after August 20th: (100 pts) Las Palmas How many points will La Liga champion finish with? 90 (100 pts exact tally; 50 pts ±5 within exact tally) UCL qualifiers (4 - intended to be top 4 Liga positions): (25 pts each) R.Madrid, Barca, A.Madrid, Sevilla Europa League qualifiers (3 - intended to be 5th and 6th Liga positions plus CdR winner or 7th place in Liga if CdR winner makes CL): (50 pts each) Villareal, Valencia, Bilbao Relegated teams (3 - intended to be 18th-20th in Liga standing ignoring financial relegation or points deductions): (50 pts each) Las Palmas, Levante, Getafe Four Copa del Rey semifinalists: (50 pts each) R.Madrid, Bilbao, A.Madrid, Sevilla IGNORING THE GAMES PLAYED BEFORE AUGUST 20TH, how many Clasicos will be played this season overall: (50 pts) 2 Scoreline of the two Liga clasicos? (100 pts each) 2-1, 0-1 Liga-wide Subjective/Opinion-based (no points will be awarded) Best signing: (Pending) Biggest bust: Banega Breakthrough player: Asensio Young player to look for: Alena Predictions outside La Liga: UEFA Best Player in Europe Award correct order of finish amongst finalists Buffon, Messi, and Ronaldo - 50 pts): too late FIFA Balon d'Or shortlist (3) (25 pts each): CR7, Messi, Neymar FIFA Balon d'Or winner: (75 pts) CR7 In relation with La Liga / Premier League / Bundesliga / Serie A / Ligue 1: • Which league will see the first coaching change after August 20? (100 pts) La Liga • Which league will have the last unbeaten side? (100 pts) France (Since the leagues have staggered opening dates, correct answer will be based on league matchday #.) Premier League champions: (50 pts) Man City Premier League Golden Boot (50 pts) Lukaka Serie A champions: (50 pts) Juventus Serie A Capocannoniere: (50 pts) Higuain Bundesliga champions: (50 pts) Bayern Bundesliga Torjägerkanone (50 pts) Lewandowski Ligue 1 champions: (50 pts) PSG Ligue 1 Top scorer (50 pts) Cavani Correct league of the Golden Boot winner (50 points) LaLiga CL semifinalists: (50 pts each) LPB, Barca, PSG, Bayern EL semifinalists: (100 pts each) Ajax, Arsenal, Milan, Everton Will Europa League be won by a CL third place team? (25 pts) No Will a team outside the "big 5 leagues (Spain, Germany, England, Italy & France)" make the CL quarterfinals (yes 50, no 25)? No Will a team outside the "big 5 leagues (Spain, Germany, England, Italy & France)" make the Europa semifinals (25)? Yes Will the Club World Championship feature the champs of Europe and South America in the final? (yes 25, no 50 pts) Yes Barça Predictions Who will score the first Liga goal? (50 pts) xx Which defender will score first? (75 pts) Umtiti First own goal? (75 pts) Pique Who will receive the first booking? (75 pts) xx Which player will be sent off first? (75 pts) TerStegen Will Valverde be sent off this season? (Yes 25 points/ No 50 pts) No Barca Pichichi: (25 pts) Messi Top goal scorer other than Suarez and Messi (25 points) Dembele How many goals will the team score in La Liga? (100 pts exact tally; 50 pts ±5 within exact tally; 25 pts ±10 within exact tally) 89 In no particular order, list the three players that will top our MOTM poll. (25 pts each) Messi, Dembele, (my third pick will be added after the transfer window closes) Name the top midfielder in our MOTM poll. (25 points) (answer after transfer window closes) Name the top defender in our MOTM poll. (25 points) Umtiti Will the team bring in a new player during the January window (includes cantera promotion)? (25 pts) Yes Five Barca players with most Liga minutes? (25 points each). Messi, TerStegen, Busquets, Umtiti, (fifth pick will be selected after transfer window closes) Subjective/Opinion-based re BARCA (no points will be awarded) Best signing: (pending) Most disappointing signing: (pending) Best promoted player (cantera): Alena Most improved player: Paco OLE of the season: Vidal Will Barca spend all the Neymar money this summer (total transfer fees in excess of 222M Euros)? Yes Will Barca Sign Dembele? Yes Will Barca Sign Coutinho? Yes Will Barca Sign Inigo? No La Liga Wide Predictions Pichichi: (50 pts) Messi Goal tally of Pichichi winner: (100 pts for exact answer, 50 within 2 goals, 25 within 5 goals) 38 Scorer of most penalties: (75 pts) CR7 Zamora: (50 pts) Keylor First coaching change after August 20th: (100 pts) Las Palmas How many points will La Liga champion finish with? 90 (100 pts exact tally; 50 pts ±5 within exact tally) UCL qualifiers (4 - intended to be top 4 Liga positions): (25 pts each) R.Madrid, Barca, A.Madrid, Sevilla Europa League qualifiers (3 - intended to be 5th and 6th Liga positions plus CdR winner or 7th place in Liga if CdR winner makes CL): (50 pts each) Villareal, Valencia, Bilbao Relegated teams (3 - intended to be 18th-20th in Liga standing ignoring financial relegation or points deductions): (50 pts each) Las Palmas, Levante, Getafe Four Copa del Rey semifinalists: (50 pts each) R.Madrid, Bilbao, A.Madrid, Sevilla IGNORING THE GAMES PLAYED BEFORE AUGUST 20TH, how many Clasicos will be played this season overall: (50 pts) 2 Scoreline of the two Liga clasicos? (100 pts each) 2-1, 0-1 Liga-wide Subjective/Opinion-based (no points will be awarded) Best signing: (Pending) Biggest bust: Banega Breakthrough player: Asensio Young player to look for: Alena Predictions outside La Liga: UEFA Best Player in Europe Award correct order of finish amongst finalists Buffon, Messi, and Ronaldo - 50 pts): too late FIFA Balon d'Or shortlist (3) (25 pts each): CR7, Messi, Neymar FIFA Balon d'Or winner: (75 pts) CR7 In relation with La Liga / Premier League / Bundesliga / Serie A / Ligue 1: • Which league will see the first coaching change after August 20? (100 pts) La Liga • Which league will have the last unbeaten side? (100 pts) France (Since the leagues have staggered opening dates, correct answer will be based on league matchday #.) Premier League champions: (50 pts) Man City Premier League Golden Boot (50 pts) Lukaka Serie A champions: (50 pts) Juventus Serie A Capocannoniere: (50 pts) Higuain Bundesliga champions: (50 pts) Bayern Bundesliga Torjägerkanone (50 pts) Lewandowski Ligue 1 champions: (50 pts) PSG Ligue 1 Top scorer (50 pts) Cavani Correct league of the Golden Boot winner (50 points) LaLiga CL semifinalists: (50 pts each) LPB, Barca, PSG, Bayern EL semifinalists: (100 pts each) Ajax, Arsenal, Milan, Everton Will Europa League be won by a CL third place team? (25 pts) No Will a team outside the "big 5 leagues (Spain, Germany, England, Italy & France)" make the CL quarterfinals (yes 50, no 25)? No Will a team outside the "big 5 leagues (Spain, Germany, England, Italy & France)" make the Europa semifinals (25)? Yes Will the Club World Championship feature the champs of Europe and South America in the final? (yes 25, no 50 pts) Yes
Great point, my bad. We could do a pick for each, for anyone who sees this and wants to do both picks. For everyone else we could just assume that their original pick is the same for both. So if that first pick was right they'd get double the points for naming the winner and the 3 finalists/leading vote getters. Or if that weights this individual trophy too high we could keep the total points the same but give half for getting FIFA correct and half for getting Ballon correct? Officially the Best FIFA Men's Player award is based on performances from 20 November 2016 to 2 July 2017, and is voted on by media representatives, national team coaches, and national team captains, and now fans - each with 25% of overall vote. Here are the candidates selected by a panel of 11 retired footballers including Puyol: http://www.fifa.com/the-best-fifa-football-awards/best-fifa-mens-player/index.html The Ballon d'Or is awarded by France Football based on a polling of football journalists, originally it was the best European footballer, then best footballer playing for a European club, then finally was open to anyone from any nation playing anywhere (though it has still always been won by a player for a European club). It is supposed to be based on calendar year.
Forgot about these CL semifinalists: (50 pts each) FCB, Bayern, A Madrid, City EL semifinalists: (100 pts each) Villareal Tottenham AS Roma Villareal
Not sure if there has been a coaching change yet? But I think first defender to score was answered yesterday by Pique for 50 points if you had it right. There were no points at stake but we also have answers to these: Will Barca spend all the Neymar money this summer (total transfer fees in excess of 222M Euros)? Here I go to Wikipedia which says total spending was 192, so NO. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017–18_FC_Barcelona_season Will Barca Sign Dembele? YES, thank goodness but darn expensive. Will Barca Sign Coutinho? NO, not worth what Liverpool demanded. Will Barca Sign Inigo? NO, could have been a nice addition, instead Verm left on free (good), Marlon loaned out for 2 year (probably good experience for him), Masch is 3rd CB (great), Verm is 4th - wow, really, he's brittle. Guess Yerry Mina might still join in January, esp if needed, otherwise next summer. In other housekeeping since no one has "bifurcated" their predictions, let's just keep the Fifa Best Men's award and France Football Ballon award as the same total points, if the winner or top 3 split just take half the points you would've won (obviously take all the points if your pick won both or was in both top 3s). So 75 TOTAL if you winner pick won both, 37.5 if you pick wins one but not the other; same for naming top 3: 25 for each named correctly in top 3 of both, 12.5 if in top 3 of just 1. (This was all based on my screw up, forgetting that we were back to two awards now that merger of awards between France Football (owner of Ballon trademark) and FIFA has ended). Finally, since neither has scored yet, I think it is OK to switch my top scorer beyond Messi and Suarez from Paco to Dembele now that the window is closed and the latter was in fact signed.
de Boer out at Crystal Palace after 4 games, is he the winner? Did any other coaches start the season in one of the big 5 leagues, but make 4 games or less before departing? OFFICIALLY our question is First Coaching Change AFTER August 20th, need not have been fired per se. @unclesox can you please confirm if that makes EPL the winner?? http://www.sport-english.com/en/new...ed-by-crystal-palace-after-four-games-6278224
OK, sounds like we have two correct answers this year then, with Crystal Palace and Alaves both sacking their coach after 4 games. So both EPL and Liga would get full points.
A huge development in the "Unbeaten league" predictions... PSG have crashed away to Strassbourg 2-1 and with it Ligue 1 is locked at 15 weeks. And it looks like everyone predicted Ligue 1 to be the winner. So (not that it really matter now but) Serie A (Inter) and the Premier League (Manchester City) are still to play this weekend and could level things at 15 weeks. La Liga moves up to 14 weeks after Barcelona and Atletico avoided defeat today (Valencia still to play on Sunday).