Congrats to last year's winner @waitforit! 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 Luis Enrique be sent off this season? (Yes 25 points/ No 50 pts) Will Mascherano score a goal this season (Yes 100 points/ No 50 pts) Barca Pichichi: (25 pts) Correct order of SNM in goal scoring (50 points) Top goal scorer other than SNM (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 ANOTHER new player during the January window (includes cantera promotion)? (25 pts) Five Barca players with most Liga minutes? (25 points each). Will MAtS be the primary Liga keeper (25 points). Will Bravo/Alves/Reina be the primary CL keeper (correct Yes - 50 points, No - 25 points). Which of the new signings/newly promoted (Digne, Umtiti, Denis, Gomes, or Samper) will play the most minutes? (50 points) Will Barca sign a “4th forward this summer (25 points) If Barca signs a 4th forward which league will that player come from? (25 points Liga, 50 points other correct answer) How many PKs will we miss this season? (100 points for correct guess, 200 if zero ends up correct) Who plays most minutes at RB in Liga:Vidal or Roberto (not total minutes but rather minutes as RB in Liga) For over a year our Grand Once was: GK, Alves-Pique-Masch-Alba; Raki-Busi-Ini; M-S-N. This year we have specific questions about RB (post-Alves) and about GK (given the weird rotation there, possible transfers), but if another (non-RB/GK) Grand Once player lost his starting spot who is it? 100 points to name the player from the 9 in the running. Same question but reversed, who replaces that player for 100 points? (to calculate this one we take total minutes from CL knockout games, and from all finals (but not Super Copa), and from Liga matches against Real and Atletico). Players on the brink (for each of the following correctly identify whether they remain with Barca ALL YEAR, are loaned out, or sold outright (for purposes of simplicity a loan with a buy option which we can trump = loan, a sale where we can buy back for no more than twice the price for at least two years will also be treated as a loan) – each correct answer is worth 25 points). For non Barca players just indicate if they join or not. To score points here there must not be an official FCB announcement before our first Liga match (or before you vote if your vote is in late) : Munir: Samper: Bravo: Douglas: Turan: Diego Alves: Paco Alcacer: 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: 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) 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 Bale, Griezmann, 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) Suarez 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 Luis Enrique be sent off this season? (Yes 25 points/ No 50 pts) No Will Mascherano score a goal this season (Yes 100 points/ No 50 pts) YES Barca Pichichi: (25 pts) Messi Correct order of SNM in goal scoring (50 points) Messi Suarez Neymar Top goal scorer other than SNM (25 points) Rakitic 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) 112 In no particular order, list the three players that will top our MOTM poll. (25 pts each) MSN Name the top midfielder in our MOTM poll. (25 points) Busi Name the top defender in our MOTM poll. (25 points) Pique Will the team bring in ANOTHER new player during the January window (includes cantera promotion)? (25 pts) No Five Barca players with most Liga minutes? (25 points each). MSN Ter Stegen Busquests Will MAtS be the primary Liga keeper (25 points). Yes Will Bravo/Alves/Reina be the primary CL keeper (correct Yes - 50 points, No - 25 points). No Which of the new signings/newly promoted (Digne, Umtiti, Denis, Gomes, or Samper) will play the most minutes? (50 points) Digne Will Barca sign a “4th forward this summer (25 points) No If Barca signs a 4th forward which league will that player come from? (25 points Liga, 50 points other correct answer) La liga How many PKs will we miss this season? (100 points for correct guess, 200 if zero ends up correct) 4 Who plays most minutes at RB in Liga:Vidal or Roberto (not total minutes but rather minutes as RB in Liga) Roberto For over a year our Grand Once was: GK, Alves-Pique-Masch-Alba; Raki-Busi-Ini; M-S-N. This year we have specific questions about RB (post-Alves) and about GK (given the weird rotation there, possible transfers), but if another (non-RB/GK) Grand Once player lost his starting spot who is it? 100 points to name the player from the 9 in the running. Same question but reversed, who replaces that player for 100 points? (to calculate this one we take total minutes from CL knockout games, and from all finals (but not Super Copa), and from Liga matches against Real and Atletico). Masch to Umtiti Players on the brink (for each of the following correctly identify whether they remain with Barca ALL YEAR, are loaned out, or sold outright (for purposes of simplicity a loan with a buy option which we can trump = loan, a sale where we can buy back for no more than twice the price for at least two years will also be treated as a loan) – each correct answer is worth 25 points). For non Barca players just indicate if they join or not. To score points here there must not be an official FCB announcement before our first Liga match (or before you vote if your vote is in late) : Munir:Remain Samper:Remain Bravo: Brexit Douglas: Bye Turan: Remain Diego Alves: Yes Paco Alcacer: No Subjective/Opinion-based re BARCA (no points will be awarded) Best signing: Umtiti Most disappointing signing: Best promoted player (cantera): Most improved player:Munir OLE of the seasonouglas 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) 44 Scorer of most penalties: (75 pts) CR7 Zamora: (50 pts) MATS First coaching change after August 20th: (100 pts) Valencia How many points will La Liga champion finish with? (100 pts exact tally 50 pts ±5 within exact tally) 95 UCL qualifiers (4 - intended to be top 4 Liga positions): (25 pts each) Barca Real 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) Leganes Gijon Alaves Four Copa del Rey semifinalists: (50 pts each) Barca Real Sevilla Villareal How many Clasicos will be played this season overall: (50 pts ) 2 Scoreline of the two Liga clasicos?(100 pts each) 3-1, 2-4 Barca Liga-wide Subjective/Opinion-based (no points will be awarded)Best signing: Biggest bust: Gameiro Breakthrough player: Saul Young player to look for: Predictions outside La Liga: UEFA Best Player in Europe Award correct order of finish amongst finalists Bale, Griezmann, and Ronaldo - 50 pts): Ronaldo Griezmann Bale FIFA Balon d'Or shortlist( 3) (25 pts each): CR7 Messi Griezmann 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) Seria A • Which league will have the last unbeaten side? (100 pts) PSG (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) Aguero Serie A champions: (50 pts) Juve Serie A Capocannoniere: (50 pts) Dybala Bundesliga champions: (50 pts) BVB - yeah I mean that 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) Barca Atletico Bayern PSG EL semifinalists: (100 pts each) I'll wait for the groups 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) No
Barça Predictions Who will score the first Liga goal? (50 pts) Messi Which defender will score first? (75 pts) Alba First own goal? (75 pts) Mascherano Who will receive the first booking?(75 pts) Busquets Which player will be sent off first? (75 pts) L. Suarez Will Luis Enrique be sent off this season? (Yes 25 points/ No 50 pts) No Will Mascherano score a goal this season (Yes 100 points/ No 50 pts) No Barca Pichichi: (25 pts) L. Suarez Correct order of SNM in goal scoring (50 points) Suarez, Messi, Neymar Top goal scorer other than SNM (25 points) Munir 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) 120 In no particular order, list the three players that will top our MOTM poll. (25 pts each) Messi, L. Suarez, Neymar Name the top midfielder in our MOTM poll. (25 points) Busquets Name the top defender in our MOTM poll. (25 points) Mascherano Will the team bring in ANOTHER new player during the January window (includes cantera promotion)? (25 pts) No Five Barca players with most Liga minutes? (25 points each). Messi, L. Suarez, Neymar, Ter Stegen, Busquets Will MAtS be the primary Liga keeper (25 points). Yes Will Bravo/Alves/Reina be the primary CL keeper (correct Yes - 50 points, No - 25 points). No Which of the new signings/newly promoted (Digne, Umtiti, Denis, Gomes, or Samper) will play the most minutes? (50 points) Digne Will Barca sign a 4th forward this summer (25 points) No If Barca signs a 4th forward which league will that player come from? (25 points Liga, 50 points other correct answer) La liga How many PKs will we miss this season? (100 points for correct guess, 200 if zero ends up correct) 1 Who plays most minutes at RB in Liga:Vidal or Roberto (not total minutes but rather minutes as RB in Liga) Vidal Grand Once player lost his starting spot who is it? 100 points to name the player from the 9 in the running. Same question but reversed, who replaces that player for 100 points? Pique, Umtiti Players on the brink Munir: Remain Samper: Remain Bravo: Sale Douglas: Loan Turan: Remain Diego Alves: Yes Paco Alcacer: No Subjective/Opinion-based re BARCA (no points will be awarded) Best signing: Umtiti Most disappointing signing: D. Suarez Best promoted player (cantera): Samper Most improved player: Munir OLE of the season: Mathieu La Liga Wide Predictions Pichichi: (50 pts) Ronaldo 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) Messi Zamora: (50 pts) Oblak First coaching change after August 20th: (100 pts) Gijon How many points will La Liga champion finish with? (100 pts exact tally 50 pts ±5 within exact tally) 97 UCL qualifiers (4 - intended to be top 4 Liga positions): (25 pts each) Barca, Real, Atletico, Bilbao 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) Sevilla, Valencia, Villarreal Relegated teams (3 - intended to be 18th-20th in Liga standing ignoring financial relegation or points deductions): (50 pts each) Granada, Osasuna, Gijon Four Copa del Rey semifinalists: (50 pts each) Barca, Real, Sevilla, Atletico How many Clasicos will be played this season overall: (50 pts ) 3 Scoreline of the two Liga clasicos?(100 pts each) 4-1, 2-2 Liga-wide Subjective/Opinion-based (no points will be awarded) Best signing: Gaitan Biggest bust: Nani Breakthrough player: Lucas Vazquez Young player to look for: Pione Sisto Predictions outside La Liga: UEFA Best Player in Europe Award correct order of finish amongst finalists Bale, Griezmann, and Ronaldo (50 pts): Ronaldo, Griezmann, Bale FIFA Balon d'Or shortlist( 3) (25 pts each): Ronaldo, Messi, Griezmann 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) Ligue 1 Which league will have the last unbeaten side? (100 pts) Bundesliga Premier League champions: (50 pts) United Premier League Golden Boot (50 pts) Ibrahimovic 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) La Liga CL semifinalists: (50 pts each) Barca, Real, Man City, Atletico EL semifinalists: (100 pts each) Man United, Porto, Sevilla, Shakhtar 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)? 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) Suarez Which defender will score first? (75 pts) Pique First own goal? (75 pts) Pique Who will receive the first booking?(75 pts) Arda Which player will be sent off first? (75 pts) Arda Will Luis Enrique be sent off this season? (Yes 25 points/ No 50 pts) No Will Mascherano score a goal this season (Yes 100 points/ No 50 pts) YES Barca Pichichi: (25 pts) Suarez Correct order of SNM in goal scoring (50 points) Suarez Messi Neymar Top goal scorer other than SNM (25 points) Arda 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) 121 In no particular order, list the three players that will top our MOTM poll. (25 pts each) MSN Name the top midfielder in our MOTM poll. (25 points) Rakitic Name the top defender in our MOTM poll. (25 points) Pique Will the team bring in ANOTHER new player during the January window (includes cantera promotion)? (25 pts) No Five Barca players with most Liga minutes? (25 points each). MSN Ter Stegen Busquests Will MAtS be the primary Liga keeper (25 points). Yes Will Bravo/Alves/Reina be the primary CL keeper (correct Yes - 50 points, No - 25 points). No Which of the new signings/newly promoted (Digne, Umtiti, Denis, Gomes, or Samper) will play the most minutes? (50 points) Digne Will Barca sign a “4th forward this summer (25 points) No If Barca signs a 4th forward which league will that player come from? (25 points Liga, 50 points other correct answer) La liga How many PKs will we miss this season? (100 points for correct guess, 200 if zero ends up correct) 7 Who plays most minutes at RB in Liga:Vidal or Roberto (not total minutes but rather minutes as RB in Liga) Vidal For over a year our Grand Once was: GK, Alves-Pique-Masch-Alba; Raki-Busi-Ini; M-S-N. This year we have specific questions about RB (post-Alves) and about GK (given the weird rotation there, possible transfers), but if another (non-RB/GK) Grand Once player lost his starting spot who is it? 100 points to name the player from the 9 in the running. Same question but reversed, who replaces that player for 100 points? (to calculate this one we take total minutes from CL knockout games, and from all finals (but not Super Copa), and from Liga matches against Real and Atletico). Masch to Digne Players on the brink (for each of the following correctly identify whether they remain with Barca ALL YEAR, are loaned out, or sold outright (for purposes of simplicity a loan with a buy option which we can trump = loan, a sale where we can buy back for no more than twice the price for at least two years will also be treated as a loan) – each correct answer is worth 25 points). For non Barca players just indicate if they join or not. To score points here there must not be an official FCB announcement before our first Liga match (or before you vote if your vote is in late) : Munir:Remain Samper:Remain Bravo: Depart Douglas: Herpes Turan: Remain Diego Alves: Remain Paco Alcacer: No Subjective/Opinion-based re BARCA (no points will be awarded) Best signing: Umtiti Most disappointing signing: Best promoted player (cantera): Most improved player: Arda OLE of the season: Douglas 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) 56 Scorer of most penalties: (75 pts) Pendejo Zamora: (50 pts) MATS First coaching change after August 20th: (100 pts) Valencia How many points will La Liga champion finish with? (100 pts exact tally 50 pts ±5 within exact tally) 107 UCL qualifiers (4 - intended to be top 4 Liga positions): (25 pts each) Barca LPB 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) Leganes Eibar Alaves Four Copa del Rey semifinalists: (50 pts each) Barca Real Sevilla Villareal How many Clasicos will be played this season overall: (50 pts ) 3 Scoreline of the two Liga clasicos?(100 pts each) 3-1, 2-4, 2-3 Barca Liga-wide Subjective/Opinion-based (no points will be awarded)Best signing: Biggest bust: Gameiro Breakthrough player: Saul Young player to look for: Predictions outside La Liga: UEFA Best Player in Europe Award correct order of finish amongst finalists Bale, Griezmann, and Ronaldo - 50 pts): Bale, Griezmann, Pendejo FIFA Balon d'Or shortlist( 3) (25 pts each): CR7 Messi Griezmann FIFA Balon d'Or winner: (75 pts) Messi 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) Seria A • Which league will have the last unbeaten side? (100 pts) PSG (Since the leagues have staggered opening dates, correct answer will be based on league matchday #.) Premier League champions: (50 its) Citeh Premier League Golden Boot (50 its) Zlatan Serie A champions: (50 pts) Juve Serie A Capocannoniere: (50 pts) DiMaria Bundesliga champions: (50 its) Bayern Bundesliga Torjägerkanone (50 pts) Lewa Ligue 1 champions: (50 pts) PSG Ligue 1 Top scorer (50 pts) Lacazette Correct league of the Golden Boot winner (50 points) La Liga CL semifinalists: (50 pts each) Barca Atletico Bayern PSG EL semifinalists: (100 pts each) Sevilla, Valencia, Manure, Shaktar 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 James
I'm holding off on this one until the status of Bravo/Barca is certain: Will Bravo/Alves/Reina be the primary CL keeper (correct Yes - 50 points, No - 25 points). Will answer this no later than Sept 1. Barça Predictions Who will score the first Liga goal? (50 pts) Suarez Which defender will score first? (75 pts) Jordi Alba First own goal? (75 pts) No autogol this season. Who will receive the first booking?(75 pts) Neymar Which player will be sent off first? (75 pts) Mascherano Will Luis Enrique be sent off this season? (Yes 25 points/ No 50 pts) No Will Mascherano score a goal this season (Yes 100 points/ No 50 pts) Yes Barca Pichichi: (25 pts) Neymar Correct order of SNM in goal scoring (50 points) NeySuaMes Top goal scorer other than SNM (25 points) Rakitic 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) 106 In no particular order, list the three players that will top our MOTM poll. (25 pts each) Messi, Suarez, Neymar Name the top midfielder in our MOTM poll. (25 points) Iniesta Name the top defender in our MOTM poll. (25 points) Mascherano Will the team bring in ANOTHER new player during the January window (includes cantera promotion)? (25 pts) No Five Barca players with most Liga minutes? (25 points each). Ter Stegen, Messi, Alba, Suarez, Rakitic Will MAtS be the primary Liga keeper (25 points). Yes Which of the new signings/newly promoted (Digne, Umtiti, Denis, Gomes, or Samper) will play the most minutes? (50 points) Umtiti Will Barca sign a “4th forward this summer (25 points) No If Barca signs a 4th forward which league will that player come from? (25 points Liga, 50 points other correct answer) La Liga How many PKs will we miss this season? (100 points for correct guess, 200 if zero ends up correct) Two Who plays most minutes at RB in Liga:Vidal or Roberto (not total minutes but rather minutes as RB in Liga) Roberto - but how will the answer to this be available? For over a year our Grand Once was: GK, Alves-Pique-Masch-Alba; Raki-Busi-Ini; M-S-N. This year we have specific questions about RB (post-Alves) and about GK (given the weird rotation there, possible transfers), but if another (non-RB/GK) Grand Once player lost his starting spot who is it? 100 points to name the player from the 9 in the running. Same question but reversed, who replaces that player for 100 points? (to calculate this one we take total minutes from CL knockout games, and from all finals (but not Super Copa), and from Liga matches against Real and Atletico). Uh, I'll pass on this one. Players on the brink (for each of the following correctly identify whether they remain with Barca ALL YEAR, are loaned out, or sold outright (for purposes of simplicity a loan with a buy option which we can trump = loan, a sale where we can buy back for no more than twice the price for at least two years will also be treated as a loan) – each correct answer is worth 25 points). For non Barca players just indicate if they join or not. To score points here there must not be an official FCB announcement before our first Liga match (or before you vote if your vote is in late) : Munir: Samper: Bravo: Douglas: Turan: Diego Alves: Paco Alcacer: Again, I'll pass on this one. La Liga Wide Predictions Pichichi: (50 pts) Neymar Goal tally of Pichichi winner: (100 pts for exact answer, 50 within 2 goals, 25 within 5 goals) 33 Scorer of most penalties: (75 pts) Cristiano Zamora: (50 pts) Oblak First coaching change after August 20th: (100 pts) Gaizka Garitano (Deportivo) 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) Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Sevilla and, uh...... I'll try 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) Valencia, Athletic Bilbao, Málaga Relegated teams (3 - intended to be 18th-20th in Liga standing ignoring financial relegation or points deductions): (50 pts each) Alavés, Granada, Leganés Four Copa del Rey semifinalists: (50 pts each) Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao, Valencia and a Second Division team. How many Clasicos will be played this season overall: (50 pts ) 4 Scoreline of the two Liga clasicos?(100 pts each) 1-3 2-0 Predictions outside La Liga: UEFA Best Player in Europe Award correct order of finish amongst finalists Bale, Griezmann, and Ronaldo - 50 pts): Griezmann FIFA Balon d'Or shortlist( 3) (25 pts each): Griezmann, Cristiano, Suarez FIFA Balon d'Or winner: (75 pts) Griezmann 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) Serie A (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) Zlatan Serie A champions: (50 pts) Juventus Serie A Capocannoniere: (50 pts) Higuain Bundesliga champions: (50 pts) Borussia Dortmund Bundesliga Torjägerkanone (50 pts) Lewandowski Ligue 1 champions: (50 pts) Paris SG Ligue 1 Top scorer (50 pts) No idea Correct league of the Golden Boot winner (50 points) Primeira Liga (Portugal) CL semifinalists: (50 pts each) Barcelona, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund EL semifinalists: (100 pts each) Athletic Bilbao, Fiorentina, Mourinho United, LPB 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)? 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
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) MASCHERANO Who will receive the first booking?(75 pts) MASCHERANO Which player will be sent off first? (75 pts) PIQUE Will Luis Enrique be sent off this season? (Yes 25 points/ No 50 pts) NO Will Mascherano score a goal this season (Yes 100 points/ No 50 pts) YES Barca Pichichi: (25 pts) SUAREZ Correct order of SNM in goal scoring (50 points) SUAREZ - MESSI - NEYMAR Top goal scorer other than SNM (25 points) TURAN 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) 114 In no particular order, list the three players that will top our MOTM poll. (25 pts each) MSN Name the top midfielder in our MOTM poll. (25 points) BUSQUETS Name the top defender in our MOTM poll. (25 points) PIQUE Will the team bring in ANOTHER new player during the January window (includes cantera promotion)? (25 pts) NO Five Barca players with most Liga minutes? (25 points each). MSN MAtS & BUSQUETS Will MAtS be the primary Liga keeper (25 points). YES Will Bravo/Alves/Reina be the primary CL keeper (correct Yes - 50 points, No - 25 points). NO Which of the new signings/newly promoted (Digne, Umtiti, Denis, Gomes, or Samper) will play the most minutes? (50 points) UMTITI Will Barca sign a “4th forward this summer (25 points) NO If Barca signs a 4th forward which league will that player come from? (25 points Liga, 50 points other correct answer) LIGA How many PKs will we miss this season? (100 points for correct guess, 200 if zero ends up correct) 3 Who plays most minutes at RB in Liga: Vidal or Roberto (not total minutes but rather minutes as RB in Liga) ROBERTO For over a year our Grand Once was: GK, Alves-Pique-Masch-Alba; Raki-Busi-Ini; M-S-N. This year we have specific questions about RB (post-Alves) and about GK (given the weird rotation there, possible transfers), but if another (non-RB/GK) Grand Once player lost his starting spot who is it? 100 points to name the player from the 9 in the running. Same question but reversed, who replaces that player for 100 points? (to calculate this one we take total minutes from CL knockout games, and from all finals (but not Super Copa), and from Liga matches against Real and Atletico). ALBA TO DIGNE Players on the brink (for each of the following correctly identify whether they remain with Barca ALL YEAR, are loaned out, or sold outright (for purposes of simplicity a loan with a buy option which we can trump = loan, a sale where we can buy back for no more than twice the price for at least two years will also be treated as a loan) – each correct answer is worth 25 points). For non Barca players just indicate if they join or not. To score points here there must not be an official FCB announcement before our first Liga match (or before you vote if your vote is in late) : Munir: STAYS Samper: LOANED Bravo: SOLD Douglas: LOANED Turan: STAYS Diego Alves: JOINS BARCA Paco Alcacer: DOES NOT JOIN BARCA Subjective/Opinion-based re BARCA (no points will be awarded) Best signing: UMTITI Most disappointing signing: GOMES GIVEN THE COST AND DEPTH WE HAVE IN MIDFIELD Best promoted player (cantera): SAMPER AS ONLY SAMPER IN THE RUNNING THOUGH MIGHT BE LOANED Most improved player: TURAN (HOPEFULLY MUNIR AND VIDAL FIT HERE TOO) OLE of the season: NO TEAM TAKING DOUGLAS TILL JANUARY 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) 37 Scorer of most penalties: (75 pts) CR7 Zamora: (50 pts) OBLAK First coaching change after August 20th: (100 pts) LAS PALMAS 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) BARCA REAL MADRID ATL 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) VALENCIA VILLARREAL & BILBAO Relegated teams (3 - intended to be 18th-20th in Liga standing ignoring financial relegation or points deductions): (50 pts each) OSASUNA LEGANES ALAVES Four Copa del Rey semifinalists: (50 pts each) BARCA BILBAO ATLETICO REAL MADRID How many Clasicos will be played this season overall: (50 pts ) 2 Scoreline of the two Liga clasicos?(100 pts each) 3-2 AT CAMP NOU, 2-2 AT THEIR PLACE Liga-wide Subjective/Opinion-based (no points will be awarded)Best signing: Biggest bust: DOUGLAS Breakthrough player: TURAN Young player to look for: UMTITI Predictions outside La Liga: UEFA Best Player in Europe Award correct order of finish amongst finalists Bale, Griezmann, and Ronaldo - 50 pts): RONALDO, GRIEZMANN, BALE FIFA Balon d'Or shortlist( 3) (25 pts each): CR7 MESSI SUAREZ 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) GERMANY • 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) CITY Premier League Golden Boot (50 pts) KUN Serie A champions: (50 pts) JUVE Serie A Capocannoniere: (50 pts) PIGUAIN 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) BARCA, REAL MADRID, BAYERN, JUVENTUS EL semifinalists: (100 pts each) MAN U, INTER, SCHALKE, FIORENTINA 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
Barça Predictions Who will score the first Liga goal? (50 pts) Suarez Which defender will score first? (75 pts) Pique First own goal? (75 pts) Mascherano Who will receive the first booking?(75 pts) Busquets Which player will be sent off first? (75 pts) Pique Will Luis Enrique be sent off this season? (Yes 25 points/ No 50 pts) No Will Mascherano score a goal this season (Yes 100 points/ No 50 pts) No Barca Pichichi: (25 pts) Suarez Correct order of SNM in goal scoring (50 points) SMN Top goal scorer other than SNM (25 points) Munir 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) 108 In no particular order, list the three players that will top our MOTM poll. (25 pts each) Messi Suarez Neymar Name the top midfielder in our MOTM poll. (25 points) Rakitic Name the top defender in our MOTM poll. (25 points) Mascherano Will the team bring in ANOTHER new player during the January window (includes cantera promotion)? (25 pts) No Five Barca players with most Liga minutes? (25 points each). Messi Suarez MATS Mascherano Neymar Will MAtS be the primary Liga keeper (25 points). Yes Will Bravo/Alves/Reina be the primary CL keeper (correct Yes - 50 points, No - 25 points). Yes Which of the new signings/newly promoted (Digne, Umtiti, Denis, Gomes, or Samper) will play the most minutes? (50 points) Denis Will Barca sign a “4th forward this summer (25 points) No If Barca signs a 4th forward which league will that player come from? (25 points Liga, 50 points other correct answer) La Liga How many PKs will we miss this season? (100 points for correct guess, 200 if zero ends up correct) 3 Who plays most minutes at RB in Liga: Vidal or Roberto (not total minutes but rather minutes as RB in Liga) Vidal For over a year our Grand Once was: GK, Alves-Pique-Masch-Alba; Raki-Busi-Ini; M-S-N. This year we have specific questions about RB (post-Alves) and about GK (given the weird rotation there, possible transfers), but if another (non-RB/GK) Grand Once player lost his starting spot who is it? 100 points to name the player from the 9 in the running. Same question but reversed, who replaces that player for 100 points? (to calculate this one we take total minutes from CL knockout games, and from all finals (but not Super Copa), and from Liga matches against Real and Atletico). Iniesta and Denis Suarez. Players on the brink (for each of the following correctly identify whether they remain with Barca ALL YEAR, are loaned out, or sold outright (for purposes of simplicity a loan with a buy option which we can trump = loan, a sale where we can buy back for no more than twice the price for at least two years will also be treated as a loan) – each correct answer is worth 25 points). For non Barca players just indicate if they join or not. To score points here there must not be an official FCB announcement before our first Liga match (or before you vote if your vote is in late) : Munir: Stays Samper: Stays Bravo: Sold Douglas: Loan Turan: Stays Diego Alves: Joins Paco Alcacer: Does not join Subjective/Opinion-based re BARCA (no points will be awarded) Best signing: Digne Most disappointing signing: Gomes Best promoted player (cantera): Samper Most improved player: Denis Suarez OLE of the season: MATS La Liga Wide Predictions Pichichi: (50 pts) Luis Suarez Goal tally of Pichichi winner: (100 pts for exact answer, 50 within 2 goals, 25 within 5 goals) 42 Scorer of most penalties: (75 pts) CR7 Zamora: (50 pts) Oblak (Atletico) First coaching change after August 20th: (100 pts) Las Palmas 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 LPB Atleti Valencia 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 Sevilla Bilbao Relegated teams (3 - intended to be 18th-20th in Liga standing ignoring financial relegation or points deductions): (50 pts each) Alaves Gijon Leganes Four Copa del Rey semifinalists: (50 pts each) Barca Atleti LPB Valencia How many Clasicos will be played this season overall: (50 pts) 4 Scoreline of the two Liga clasicos? (100 pts each) 1-0 at home, 0-0 away Liga-wide Subjective/Opinion-based (no points will be awarded) Best signing: Umtiti Biggest bust: Gamiero Breakthrough player: Umtiti Young player to look for: Denis Suarez Predictions outside La Liga: UEFA Best Player in Europe Award correct order of finish amongst finalists Bale, Griezmann, and Ronaldo - 50 pts): Ronaldo Griezmann Bale FIFA Balon d'Or shortlist( 3) (25 pts each): Messi CR7 Luis Suarez 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) Serie A • Which league will have the last unbeaten side? (100 pts) Bundesliga (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) Sergio Aguero Serie A champions: (50 pts) Juventus Serie A Capocannoniere: (50 pts) Gonzalo Higuain Bundesliga champions: (50 pts) Bayern Munich Bundesliga Torjägerkanone (50 pts) Robert Lewandowski Ligue 1 champions: (50 pts) PSG Ligue 1 Top scorer (50 pts) Jese Correct league of the Golden Boot winner (50 points) La Liga CL semifinalists: (50 pts each) Barca LPB Bayern Man City EL semifinalists: (100 pts each) Man U Schalke Inter Fiorentina 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
Barça Predictions Who will score the first Liga goal? (50 pts) Suárez Which defender will score first? (75 pts) Digne First own goal? (75 pts) Masch Who will receive the first booking?(75 pts) Busi Which player will be sent off first? (75 pts) Masch Will Luis Enrique be sent off this season? (Yes 25 points/ No 50 pts) No Will Mascherano score a goal this season (Yes 100 points/ No 50 pts) Been saying yes for 3 years, Masch is due! Barca Pichichi: (25 pts) Suarez Correct order of SNM in goal scoring (50 points) Suarez, Messi, Neymar Top goal scorer other than SNM (25 points) Ivan Rakitic 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) 114 In no particular order, list the three players that will top our MOTM poll. (25 pts each) Messi, Suarez, Rakitic Name the top midfielder in our MOTM poll. (25 points) Rakitic Name the top defender in our MOTM poll. (25 points) Pique Will the team bring in ANOTHER new player during the January window (includes cantera promotion)? (25 pts) Yes Five Barca players with most Liga minutes? (25 points each). MSN, Ter Stegen, Busquets Will MAtS be the primary Liga keeper (25 points). Yes Will Bravo/Alves/Reina be the primary CL keeper (correct Yes - 50 points, No - 25 point). No Which of the new signings/newly promoted (Digne, Umtiti, Denis, Gomes, or Samper) will play the most minutes? (50 points) Denis Will Barca sign a “4th forward this summer (25 points) No If Barca signs a 4th forward which league will that player come from? (25 points Liga, 50 points other correct answer) Ligue 1 How many PKs will we miss this season? (100 points for correct guess, 200 if zero ends up correct) 2 Who plays most minutes at RB in Liga:Vidal or Roberto (not total minutes but rather minutes as RB in Liga) Sergi rob For over a year our Grand Once was: GK, Alves-Pique-Masch-Alba; Raki-Busi-Ini; M-S-N. This year we have specific questions about RB (post-Alves) and about GK (given the weird rotation there, possible transfers), but if another (non-RB/GK) Grand Once player lost his starting spot who is it? 100 points to name the player from the 9 in the running. Same question but reversed, who replaces that player for 100 points? (to calculate this one we take total minutes from CL knockout games, and from all finals (but not Super Copa), and from Liga matches against Real and Atletico). Alba to Digne Players on the brink (for each of the following correctly identify whether they remain with Barca ALL YEAR, are loaned out, or sold outright (for purposes of simplicity a loan with a buy option which we can trump = loan, a sale where we can buy back for no more than twice the price for at least two years will also be treated as a loan) – each correct answer is worth 25 points). For non Barca players just indicate if they join or not. To score points here there must not be an official FCB announcement before our first Liga match (or before you vote if your vote is in late) : Munir:Go Samper:Go Bravo: GO Douglas: go Turan: stay Diego Alves: No, give Masip a chance Paco Alcacer: Yes Subjective/Opinion-based re BARCA (no points will be awarded) Best signing: Umtiti Most disappointing signing: Andre Best promoted player (cantera): Marlon Most improved player:Sergi Roberto! OLE of the season Mathieu 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) 40 Scorer of most penalties: (75 pts) CR7 Zamora: (50 pts) MATS First coaching change after August 20th: (100 pts) Espanyol 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) Barca A Madrid LPB 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 Bilbao Celta Relegated teams (3 - intended to be 18th-20th in Liga standing ignoring financial relegation or points deductions): (50 pts each) Leganes Espanyol Granada Four Copa del Rey semifinalists: (50 pts each) Barca Atletico Bilbao Villareal How many Clasicos will be played this season overall: (50 pts ) 2 Scoreline of the two Liga clasicos?(100 pts each) 1-2 away, 2-0 home Liga-wide Subjective/Opinion-based (no points will be awarded)Best signing: Biggest bust: Vietto, Sevilla Breakthrough player: Beaveu, Celta Young player to look for: marlon Predictions outside La Liga: UEFA Best Player in Europe Award correct order of finish amongst finalists Bale, Griezmann, and Ronaldo - 50 pts): Sham award Griezmann Bale Crissy FIFA Balon d'Or shortlist( 3) (25 pts each): CR7 Messi Griezmann FIFA Balon d'Or winner: (75 pts) Messi 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) Premier • Which league will have the last unbeaten side? (100 pts) Ligue1 (Since the leagues have staggered opening dates, correct answer will be based on league matchday #.) Premier League champions: (50 pts) Pep Premier League Golden Boot (50 pts) Vardy Serie A champions: (50 pts) Juventus Serie A Capocannoniere: (50 pts) Higuain Bundesliga champions: (50 pts) BVB Bundesliga Torjägerkanone (50 pts) Ligue 1 champions: (50 pts) PSG Ligue 1 Top scorer (50 pts) lacazette Correct league of the Golden Boot winner (50 points) La Liga CL semifinalists: (50 pts each) Barca Atletico City Juve EL semifinalists: (100 pts each) I'll wait for the groups Sevilla!, Man U, Inter, Porto 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) L.Suarez Which defender will score first? (75 pts) Umtiti First own goal? (75 pts) Pique Who will receive the first booking?(75 pts) Rakitic Which player will be sent off first? (75 pts) Mascherano Will Luis Enrique be sent off this season? (Yes 25 points/ No 50 pts) No Will Mascherano score a goal this season (Yes 100 points/ No 50 pts) Of course! Barca Pichichi: (25 pts) L.Suarez Correct order of SNM in goal scoring (50 points) SMN Top goal scorer other than SNM (25 points) Munir How many goals will the team score in La Liga? 101 (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) Messi, L.Suarez, Neymar Name the top midfielder in our MOTM poll. (25 points) Rakitic Name the top defender in our MOTM poll. (25 points) Umtiti Will the team bring in ANOTHER new player during the January window (includes cantera promotion)? (25 pts) No Five Barca players with most Liga minutes? (25 points each). Messi, TerStegen, Busquets, L.Suarez, Rakitic Will MAtS be the primary Liga keeper (25 points). Yes Will Bravo/Alves/Reina be the primary CL keeper (correct Yes - 50 points, No - 25 points). TerStegen Which of the new signings/newly promoted (Digne, Umtiti, Denis, Gomes, or Samper) will play the most minutes? (50 points) Umtiti Will Barca sign a “4th forward this summer (25 points) Yes If Barca signs a 4th forward which league will that player come from? (25 points Liga, 50 points other correct answer) Brasil How many PKs will we miss this season? (100 points for correct guess, 200 if zero ends up correct) 2 Who plays most minutes at RB in Liga:Vidal or Roberto (not total minutes but rather minutes as RB in Liga) Roberto For over a year our Grand Once was: GK, Alves-Pique-Masch-Alba; Raki-Busi-Ini; M-S-N. This year we have specific questions about RB (post-Alves) and about GK (given the weird rotation there, possible transfers), but if another (non-RB/GK) Grand Once player lost his starting spot who is it? 100 points to name the player from the 9 in the running. Same question but reversed, who replaces that player for 100 points? (to calculate this one we take total minutes from CL knockout games, and from all finals (but not Super Copa), and from Liga matches against Real and Atletico). Umtiti replaces Mascherano Players on the brink (for each of the following correctly identify whether they remain with Barca ALL YEAR, are loaned out, or sold outright (for purposes of simplicity a loan with a buy option which we can trump = loan, a sale where we can buy back for no more than twice the price for at least two years will also be treated as a loan) – each correct answer is worth 25 points). For non Barca players just indicate if they join or not. To score points here there must not be an official FCB announcement before our first Liga match (or before you vote if your vote is in late) : Munir: Remain Samper: Loan Bravo: Sold Douglas: Stay Turan: Stay Diego Alves: No Paco Alcacer: No Subjective/Opinion-based re BARCA (no points will be awarded) Best signing: Umtiti Most disappointing signing: Samper Best promoted player (cantera): Munir Most improved player: Munir OLE of the season: Douglas La Liga Wide Predictions Pichichi: (50 pts) L.Suarez Goal tally of Pichichi winner: (100 pts for exact answer, 50 within 2 goals, 25 within 5 goals) 40 Scorer of most penalties: (75 pts) CR7 Zamora: (50 pts) TerStegen First coaching change after August 20th: (100 pts) Valencia How many points will La Liga champion finish with? 98 (100 pts exact tally 50 pts ±5 within exact tally) UCL qualifiers (4 - intended to be top 4 Liga positions): (25 pts each) Barca, Atletico, LPB, 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, Espanyol, Valencia Relegated teams (3 - intended to be 18th-20th in Liga standing ignoring financial relegation or points deductions): (50 pts each) Leganes, Alaves, Eibar Four Copa del Rey semifinalists: (50 pts each) Barca, Sevilla, Bilbao, LPB How many Clasicos will be played this season overall: (50 pts ) 4 Scoreline of the two Liga clasicos?(100 pts each) 2-0, 0-2 wins Liga-wide Subjective/Opinion-based (no points will be awarded) Best signing: Gameiro Biggest bust: Morata Breakthrough player: Pione Sisto Young player to look for: Riza Durmisi Predictions outside La Liga: UEFA Best Player in Europe Award correct order of finish amongst finalists Bale, Griezmann, and Ronaldo - 50 pts): Bale FIFA Balon d'Or shortlist( 3) (25 pts each): Cr7, Messi, L.Suarez FIFA Balon d'Or winner: (75 pts) Messi 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) EPL • 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 City Premier League Golden Boot (50 pts) Aguero Serie A champions: (50 pts) Juventus Serie A Capocannoniere: (50 pts) Dybala Bundesliga champions: (50 pts) FC Bayern Bundesliga Torjägerkanone (50 pts) Aubameyang Ligue 1 champions: (50 pts) PSG Ligue 1 Top scorer (50 pts) Lacazette Correct league of the Golden Boot winner (50 points) Spain CL semifinalists: (50 pts each) Barca, Man City, Bayern, Atletico EL semifinalists: (100 pts each) Sevilla, Man Utd, Inter, Shalke04 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)? No 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) L. SUAREZ Which defender will score first? (75 pts) ALBA First own goal? (75 pts) MASCHERANO Who will receive the first booking?(75 pts) ARDA Which player will be sent off first? (75 pts) UMTITI Will Luis Enrique be sent off this season? (Yes 25 points/ No 50 pts) NO Will Mascherano score a goal this season (Yes 100 points/ No 50 pts) YES! THIS IS HIS YEAR Barca Pichichi: (25 pts) SUAREZ Correct order of SNM in goal scoring (50 points) L. SUAREZ, MESSI, NEYMAR Top goal scorer other than SNM (25 points) MUNIR 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) 113 In no particular order, list the three players that will top our MOTM poll. (25 pts each) MESSI, L. SUAREZ, NEYMAR Name the top midfielder in our MOTM poll. (25 points) INIESTA Name the top defender in our MOTM poll. (25 points) PIQUE Will the team bring in ANOTHER new player during the January window (includes cantera promotion)? (25 pts) NO Five Barca players with most Liga minutes? (25 points each). MESSI, L. SUAREZ, PIQUE, BUSQUETS, NEYMAR Will MAtS be the primary Liga keeper (25 points). YES Will Bravo/Alves/Reina be the primary CL keeper (correct Yes - 50 points, No - 25 points). NO Which of the new signings/newly promoted (Digne, Umtiti, Denis, Gomes, or Samper) will play the most minutes? (50 points) DENIS Will Barca sign a “4th forward this summer (25 points) NO If Barca signs a 4th forward which league will that player come from? (25 points Liga, 50 points other correct answer) LA LIGA How many PKs will we miss this season? (100 points for correct guess, 200 if zero ends up correct) 3 Who plays most minutes at RB in Liga:Vidal or Roberto (not total minutes but rather minutes as RB in Liga) ROBERTO For over a year our Grand Once was: GK, Alves-Pique-Masch-Alba; Raki-Busi-Ini; M-S-N. This year we have specific questions about RB (post-Alves) and about GK (given the weird rotation there, possible transfers), but if another (non-RB/GK) Grand Once player lost his starting spot who is it? 100 points to name the player from the 9 in the running. Same question but reversed, who replaces that player for 100 points? (to calculate this one we take total minutes from CL knockout games, and from all finals (but not Super Copa), and from Liga matches against Real and Atletico). ALBA --> DIGNE Players on the brink (for each of the following correctly identify whether they remain with Barca ALL YEAR, are loaned out, or sold outright (for purposes of simplicity a loan with a buy option which we can trump = loan, a sale where we can buy back for no more than twice the price for at least two years will also be treated as a loan) – each correct answer is worth 25 points). For non Barca players just indicate if they join or not. To score points here there must not be an official FCB announcement before our first Liga match (or before you vote if your vote is in late) : Munir: STAY Samper: STAY Bravo: SOLD Douglas: ugh, STAY Turan: STAY Diego Alves: NOPE Paco Alcacer: NOPE Subjective/Opinion-based re BARCA (no points will be awarded) Best signing: DIGNE Most disappointing signing: GOMES Best promoted player (cantera): KAPTOUM Most improved player: MUNIR OLE of the season: DOUGLAS La Liga Wide Predictions Pichichi: (50 pts) LUIS SUAREZ 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) CR7 Zamora: (50 pts) OBLAK First coaching change after August 20th: (100 pts) ESPANYOL How many points will La Liga champion finish with? (100 pts exact tally 50 pts ±5 within exact tally) 95 UCL qualifiers (4 - intended to be top 4 Liga positions): (25 pts each) FCB, LPB, ATM, VILLAREAL 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) SEVILLA, VALENCIA, ATHLETIC B. Relegated teams (3 - intended to be 18th-20th in Liga standing ignoring financial relegation or points deductions): (50 pts each) LEGANES, GRANADA, SPORTING Four Copa del Rey semifinalists: (50 pts each) BARÇA, SEVILLA, ATLETICO, ATHLETIC BILBAO How many Clasicos will be played this season overall: (50 pts ) 2 Scoreline of the two Liga clasicos?(100 pts each) 3-1 AT CAMP NOU, 2-2 AT BERNABEU Liga-wide Subjective/Opinion-based (no points will be awarded) Best signing: GAMEIRO (Atleti) Biggest bust: VIETTO (Sevilla) Breakthrough player: Santos Borré (Villareal) Young player to look for: Álvaro Medrán (Valencia) Predictions outside La Liga: UEFA Best Player in Europe Award correct order of finish amongst finalists Bale, Griezmann, and Ronaldo - 50 pts): Ronaldo, Bale, Griezmann FIFA Balon d'Or shortlist( 3) (25 pts each): Messi, LS, CR7 FIFA Balon d'Or winner: (75 pts) Messi 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) BPL • 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) CITEH Premier League Golden Boot (50 pts) IBRAH Serie A champions: (50 pts) JUVE 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) LA LIGA CL semifinalists: (50 pts each) BARÇA, CITEH, BAYERN, JUVE EL semifinalists: (100 pts each) SEVILLA, MAN U, SCHALKE, PORTO 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
Barça Predictions Who will score the first Liga goal? (50 pts) LUIS SUAREZ Which defender will score first? (75 pts) PIQUE First own goal? (75 pts) DIGNE Who will receive the first booking?(75 pts) RAKITIC Which player will be sent off first? (75 pts) MASCHERANO Will Luis Enrique be sent off this season? (Yes 25 points/ No 50 pts) NO Will Mascherano score a goal this season (Yes 100 points/ No 50 pts) YES, he came close last season Barca Pichichi: (25 pts) LUIS SUAREZ Correct order of SNM in goal scoring (50 points) LUIS SUAREZ, MESSI, NEYMAR Top goal scorer other than SNM (25 points) MUNIR 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, LUIS SUAREZ, NEYMAR Name the top midfielder in our MOTM poll. (25 points) RAKITIC Name the top defender in our MOTM poll. (25 points) PIQUE Will the team bring in ANOTHER new player during the January window (includes cantera promotion)? (25 pts) NO Five Barca players with most Liga minutes? (25 points each). MESSI, L. SUAREZ, PIQUE, BUSQUETS, RAKITIC Will MAtS be the primary Liga keeper (25 points). YES Will Bravo/Alves/Reina be the primary CL keeper (correct Yes - 50 points, No - 25 points). YES Which of the new signings/newly promoted (Digne, Umtiti, Denis, Gomes, or Samper) will play the most minutes? (50 points) DIGNE Will Barca sign a “4th forward this summer (25 points) NO If Barca signs a 4th forward which league will that player come from? (25 points Liga, 50 points other correct answer) LA LIGA How many PKs will we miss this season? (100 points for correct guess, 200 if zero ends up correct) 5 Who plays most minutes at RB in Liga:Vidal or Roberto (not total minutes but rather minutes as RB in Liga) ROBERTO For over a year our Grand Once was: GK, Alves-Pique-Masch-Alba; Raki-Busi-Ini; M-S-N. This year we have specific questions about RB (post-Alves) and about GK (given the weird rotation there, possible transfers), but if another (non-RB/GK) Grand Once player lost his starting spot who is it? 100 points to name the player from the 9 in the running. Same question but reversed, who replaces that player for 100 points? (to calculate this one we take total minutes from CL knockout games, and from all finals (but not Super Copa), and from Liga matches against Real and Atletico). INIESTA --> DENIS SUAREZ Players on the brink (for each of the following correctly identify whether they remain with Barca ALL YEAR, are loaned out, or sold outright (for purposes of simplicity a loan with a buy option which we can trump = loan, a sale where we can buy back for no more than twice the price for at least two years will also be treated as a loan) – each correct answer is worth 25 points). For non Barca players just indicate if they join or not. To score points here there must not be an official FCB announcement before our first Liga match (or before you vote if your vote is in late) : Munir: REMAIN Samper: REMAIN Bravo: SOLD Douglas: Remain Turan: REMAIN Diego Alves: YES Paco Alcacer: NO That's all for now....just wanted to get this in before match kick-off. Thanks @inswinger for the font lol For fun: Serie A Champion: Juventus, Ligue: PSG, EPL: Manchester City. Top 4 in La Liga (in particular order): Atletico, Barca, Real Madrid, Sevilla
As ShortyMac posted above, no one got the first two answers right, so if you have not made your predictions yet, get 'em in. You are pretty much on equal footing, at least until some of the "stay or go" rumors have been officially confirmed by the club (nothing official yet though the GK situation seems pretty close to resolved).
UEFA Best Player in Europe Award (in order of votes. 50 pts) - CR7, Griezmann, Bale. Myself, waitforit, RayShaw, and Gilmango bag the points.
Some other answers have come in: First defender to score was MATHIEU! and no one saw it coming - no one scores the 75 points, most had Pique or Alba plus one each for Digne and Umtiti. And, with the transfer window closed 15 days ago, here are the correct Players on the Brink answers (each worth 25 points). Too many answers for me to tally who got what right, I got 4 of the 7 for 100 points (Samper, Bravo, Douglas, and Turan) and I still think club should've kept Munir, signed Diego Alves on the cheap (3-5M), and banked all that extra money they spent on Alcacer and Cillessen. Hopefully Paco and Jasper can convince me otherwise. Players on the brink (for each of the following correctly identify whether they remain with Barca ALL YEAR, are loaned out, or sold outright (for purposes of simplicity a loan with a buy option which we can trump = loan, a sale where we can buy back for no more than twice the price for at least two years will also be treated as a loan) – each correct answer is worth 25 points). For non Barca players just indicate if they join or not. To score points here there must not be an official FCB announcement before our first Liga match (or before you vote if your vote is in late) : Munir: LOANED (they have the right to buy him for 12M at conclusion of loan, not clear if we could trump) Samper: LOANED Bravo: SOLD Douglas: LOANED Turan: REMAINED (but note IF transferred / loaned in January that would trump) Diego Alves: DID NOT JOIN Paco Alcacer: JOINED
Pako out as Valencia coach, I think that was the first Liga change (for 100) and, if so, I think 3 of you got the big points. Less sure if any other leagues beat us to fire a coach fire (post August 20th)? Anyone know / able to confirm both?
From the big five leagues, Pako is the third coaching change since August 20th. Coaching changes after August 20: Davide Ballardini (Palermo) - By mutual consent on 6 September 2016 (following Round 2, during the international break) Viktor Skrypnyk (Werder Bremen) - Sacked on 18 September 2016 (following Round 3) Pako Ayestarán (Valencia) - Sacked on 20 September 2016 (following Round 4) Premier League and Ligue 1 have yet to make any coaching changes.
Thanks, as always, for getting the harder-to-find answers, and in this case you got the 100 points too (along with waitforit, shortymac, and morrissey)!
FIFA Balon d'Or shortlist( 3) (25 pts each): CR7 Messi Griezmann FIFA Balon d'Or winner: (75 pts) CR7
Next season we'll need to be specific since FIFA no longer does the Ballon award. Do we predict the Ballon award or the FIFA award? Not really in favor of predicting both and the Ballon is more legit to me since it's only journalists voting (no coaches and captains).
La Liga's unbeaten run came to a crashing halt in LPB's 17th fixture of the season. So that's 16 matches unbeaten to start the season. The Bundesliga resumes this weekend and Hoffenheim (!) are also unbeaten after 16 fixtures. They are away to Augsburg so we will know on Saturday if the Bundesliga flies solo or it will be shared with La Liga.