Running it a bit later this season, but here it is. The ELEVENTH annual FCBFSPT! Congratulations to last year's winner, @unclesox! Second win for him. 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 and first Liga match, and starting with the SECOND Liga match. 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. Changing some stuff given the time frame. Since no defender scored, and no one got booked, I think we can get away with almost the same questions from last season: Barça Predictions Who will score the first UCL 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: 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: (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(50 pts) Salah, Crissy Penaldo or Modric : Balon d'Or shortlist (3) (25 pts each): Balon d'Or winner: (75 pts) FIFA The Best 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 24th)? (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)
Defending champ will go first. Barça Predictions Who will score the first UCL goal? (50 pts) Luis Suarez Which defender will score first? (75 pts) Jordi Alba First own goal? (75 pts) Barcelona will NOT score an own goal. Who will receive the first booking? (75 pts) Busquets Which player will be sent off first? (75 pts) Messi 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) Coutinho 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, Coutinho, ter Stegen Name the top midfielder in our MOTM poll. (25 points) Coutinho Name the top defender in our MOTM poll. (25 points) Semedo Will the team bring in a 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, Piqué, Alba, Busquets Subjective/Opinion-based re BARCA (no points will be awarded) I don't play this part. 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) Whoever Madrid's main penalty taker is. I suppose Bale. Zamora: (50 pts) Oblak First coaching change: (100 pts) Rayo Vallecano (Míchel) 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) Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, 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) Athletic Bilbao, Sevilla, Villarreal Relegated teams (3 - intended to be 18th-20th in Liga standing ignoring financial relegation or points deductions): (50 pts each) Valladolid, Huesca, Rayo Vallecano Four Copa del Rey semifinalists: (50 pts each) Barcelona, Real Madrid, Sevilla, a second division club How many Clasicos will be played this season overall: (50 pts) 4 Scoreline of the two Liga clasicos? (100 pts each) 2-1, 2-0 (Barca win both) Liga-wide Subjective/Opinion-based (no points will be awarded) I don't play this part. Predictions outside La Liga: UEFA Best Player in Europe Award(50 pts) Salah, Crissy Penaldo or Modric : Salah Balon d'Or shortlist (3) (25 pts each): Modric, Hazard, Kane Balon d'Or winner: (75 pts) Modric FIFA The Best winner (75 pts) Cristiano In relation with La Liga / Premier League / Bundesliga / Serie A / Ligue 1: • Which league will see the first coaching change (after August 24th)? (100 pts) Ligue 1 • 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 #.) Ligue 1 Premier League champions: (50 pts) Manchester City Premier League Golden Boot (50 pts) Kane Serie A champions: (50 pts) Juventus Serie A Capocannoniere: (50 pts) Cristiano Bundesliga champions: (50 pts) Bayern Munich 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) Barcelona, Manchester City, Chelsea, PSG, Atletico Madrid EL semifinalists: (100 pts each) Chelsea, Milan, Lazio, Real Madrid 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)? 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
Like unclesox I'm ignoring the subjective / no points awarded questions: Barça Predictions Who will score the first UCL goal? (50 pts) MESSI Which defender will score first? (75 pts) UMTITI First own goal? (75 pts) UMTITI Who will receive the first booking? (75 pts) BUSQUETS Which player will be sent off first? (75 pts) SUAREZ 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) COUTINHO 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, MATS, COUTINHO Name the top midfielder in our MOTM poll. (25 points) COUTINHO IF HE IS CONSIDERED A MID; IF HE COUNTS AS A FORWARD THEN 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) NO Five Barca players with most Liga minutes? (25 points each). MATS, MESSI, ALBA, BUSQUETS, SUAREZ 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) 33 Scorer of most penalties: (75 pts) PAREJO Zamora: (50 pts) OBLAK First coaching change: (100 pts) RAYO 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) BARCA, ATLETICO, REAL, 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, BILBAO, VILLARREAL Relegated teams (3 - intended to be 18th-20th in Liga standing ignoring financial relegation or points deductions): (50 pts each) RAYO, ALAVES, VALLADOLID Four Copa del Rey semifinalists: (50 pts each) ATHLETIC, BARCA, ATLETICO, VALENCIA How many Clasicos will be played this season overall: (50 pts) 4 Scoreline of the two Liga clasicos? (100 pts each) HOME 3-2; AWAY 2-2 Predictions outside La Liga: UEFA Best Player in Europe Award(50 pts) Salah, Crissy Penaldo or Modric: CR7 Balon d'Or shortlist (3) (25 pts each): CR7, MODRIC, GRIEZMANN Balon d'Or winner: (75 pts) CR7 FIFA The Best 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 24th)? (100 pts) ITALY • 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) MAN. CITY Premier League Golden Boot (50 pts) KANE Serie A champions: (50 pts) JUVE Serie A Capocannoniere: (50 pts) CR7 Bundesliga champions: (50 pts) BAYERN Bundesliga Torjägerkanone (50 pts) LEWA Ligue 1 champions: (50 pts) PSG Ligue 1 Top scorer (50 pts) NEYMAR (hope it's not true, same as my serie a prediction) Correct league of the Golden Boot winner (50 points) LIGA CL semifinalists: (50 pts each) MAN. CITY, PSG, BARCA, BAYERN EL semifinalists: (100 pts each) LAZIO, SEVILLA, CHELSEA, ARSENAL 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 UCL goal? (50 pts) Coutinho Which defender will score first? (75 pts) Umtiti First own goal? (75 pts) Busquets. Who will receive the first booking? (75 pts) Alba Which player will be sent off first? (75 pts) Sergi Roberto 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) Coutinho 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, Coutinho, Dembele Name the top midfielder in our MOTM poll. (25 points) Coutinho 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). MATS, Messi, Rakitic, Alba, Busquets 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) 40 Scorer of most penalties: (75 pts) Antoine Greizemann. Zamora: (50 pts) Oblak First coaching change: (100 pts) Real Madrid (Lupe) 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) Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, Real 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) Real Betis, Valencia, Villarreal Relegated teams (3 - intended to be 18th-20th in Liga standing ignoring financial relegation or points deductions): (50 pts each) Valladolid, Girona, Rayo Vallecano Four Copa del Rey semifinalists: (50 pts each) Barcelona, Athletic, Sevilla, Atletico How many Clasicos will be played this season overall: (50 pts) 3 Scoreline of the two Liga clasicos? (100 pts each) 5-1, 3-1 (Barca win both) Predictions outside La Liga: UEFA Best Player in Europe Award(50 pts) Salah, Crissy Penaldo or Modric : Modric Balon d'Or shortlist (3) (25 pts each): Modric, Hazard, CRonaldo Balon d'Or winner: (75 pts) Modric FIFA The Best winner (75 pts) Cristiano In relation with La Liga / Premier League / Bundesliga / Serie A / Ligue 1: • Which league will see the first coaching change (after August 24th)? (100 pts) EPL • 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 #.) Bundesliga Premier League champions: (50 pts) Manchester City Premier League Golden Boot (50 pts) Aguero Serie A champions: (50 pts) Juventus Serie A Capocannoniere: (50 pts) Higuain Bundesliga champions: (50 pts) Bayern Munich 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) Barcelona, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, PSG EL semifinalists: (100 pts each) Chelsea, Milan, Lazio, Burnley 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
Whoa! LOL! I had meant to put Bayern and while thinking about them, for whatever reason, the 2012 final popped into my mind so I guess that made me subconsciously type in Chelsea. But upon further reflection I will NOT go with Bayern. Original post has been edited.
Barça Predictions Who will score the first UCL goal? (50 pts) Messi Which defender will score first? (75 pts) Alba First own goal? (75 pts) Pique Who will receive the first booking? (75 pts) Vidal 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 Top goal scorer other than Suarez and Messi (25 points) Coutinho 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, mats, Coutinho Name the top midfielder in our MOTM poll. (25 points) Coutinho 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, umtiti, Coutinho Subjective/Opinion-based re BARCA (no points will be awarded) Best signing: Vidal Most disappointing signing: Lenglet Best promoted player (cantera): Miranda Most improved player: Dembele OLE of the season: ... 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) 33 Scorer of most penalties: (75 pts) Parejo, Valencia Zamora: (50 pts) MATS First coaching change: (100 pts) Sergio, Valladolid How many points will La Liga champion finish with? (100 pts exact tally; 50 pts ±5 within exact tally). 92 UCL qualifiers (4 - intended to be top 4 Liga positions): (25 pts each) FCB, Atlético, Valencia, 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) Betis, villarreal, Athletic Relegated teams (3 - intended to be 18th-20th in Liga standing ignoring financial relegation or points deductions): (50 pts each) Huesca, Getafe, Valladolid Four Copa del Rey semifinalists: (50 pts each) athletic, FCB, Valencia, Villarreal How many Clasicos will be played this season overall: (50 pts) 2 Scoreline of the two Liga clasicos? (100 pts each)3-1, 0-2 Liga-wide Subjective/Opinion-based (no points will be awarded) Best signing: Andre Silva Biggest bust: Batshuahyi Breakthrough player: Miranda Young player to look for: Nolaskaoian, Athletic Predictions outside La Liga: UEFA Best Player in Europe Award(50 pts) Salah, Crissy Penaldo or Modric : Modric Balon d'Or shortlist (3) (25 pts each):Modric, Crissy, Messi Balon d'Or winner: (75 pts) Modric FIFA The Best 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 24th)? (100 pts)Premier • 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) Liverpool Premier League Golden Boot (50 pts) Salah Serie A champions: (50 pts) Juve Serie A Capocannoniere: (50 pts) Icardi Bundesliga champions: (50 pts) Bayern Bundesliga Torjägerkanone (50 pts) Lewa 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) Liverpool, FCB, Bayern, Atlético EL semifinalists: (100 pts each) Lazio, Sevilla, Arsenal, Milan 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
First answer I think, Pique gets first booking, looks like NO ONE got the points, so, if you have not yet made your predictions you are not missing out on any points yet!
Barça Predictions Who will score the first UCL goal? (50 pts) Messi Which defender will score first? (75 pts) Pique First own goal? (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) Cou 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) 96 In no particular order, list the three players that will top our MOTM poll. (25 pts each) Messi Busi MATS 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) NO Five Barca players with most Liga minutes? (25 points each). Messi MATS Alba Busquets Umtiti Subjective/Opinion-based re BARCA (no points will be awarded) Best signing: Malcom Most disappointing signing: Lenglet Best promoted player (cantera): Most improved player: OLE of the season: 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) Messi I guess Zamora: (50 pts) MATS First coaching change: (100 pts) Sevilla How many points will La Liga champion finish with? 94 (100 pts exact tally; 50 pts ±5 within exact tally) UCL qualifiers (4 - intended to be top 4 Liga positions): (25 pts each) Barca Real A Madrid 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) Villareal Sevilla, Betis Relegated teams (3 - intended to be 18th-20th in Liga standing ignoring financial relegation or points deductions): (50 pts each) Ray Valladoid Alaves Four Copa del Rey semifinalists: (50 pts each) Barca A Madrid Sevilla Valencia How many Clasicos will be played this season overall: (50 pts) 2 Scoreline of the two Liga clasicos? (100 pts each) 4-1 1-3 for Barca 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: Balon d'Or shortlist (3) (25 pts each):CR7 Messi Modric Balon d'Or winner: (75 pts) CR7 FIFA The Best winner (75 pts) Modric In relation with La Liga / Premier League / Bundesliga / Serie A / Ligue 1: • Which league will see the first coaching change(after August 24th)? (100 pts) Serie A • 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 #.) PSG Premier League champions: (50 pts) City Premier League Golden Boot (50 pts) Kane Serie A champions: (50 pts) Juventus Serie A Capocannoniere: (50 pts) CR7 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) Messi CL semifinalists: (50 pts each) Barca City A Madrid Bayern EL semifinalists: (100 pts each) see 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)? 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) NO
Not sure if we have other answers but Umtiti was first red card of the season today. Don't think anyone got it. Messi was first UCL goal of the season and it looks like 3 got that right.
October has been declared "Rolling Heads" month. WINNER: Ligue 1 (Nantes, Miguel Cardoso - October 1) WOO HOO! 100 points for me! Others since... Bundesliga (Stuttgart, Tayfun Korkut - October 7) Serie A (Chievo, Lorenzo D'Anna - October 9) Serie A (Genoa, Davide Ballardini - October 9) WINNER: Huesca (Leo Franco - October 9)
PSG losing to Lyon today means we have a winner. After 22 rounds Juventus are still unbeaten in Serie A, the last league to have an unbeaten side. Ligue 1 went 20 rounds before PSG lost today in their 21st fixture. Liverpool went 20 rounds before finally losing in the Premier League. Dortmund managed to go 15 rounds unbeaten before losing in the Bundesliga. And La Liga only lasted 5 rounds before every team had lost a game. Who says La Liga isn't a strong league!
We have a couple answers after today and Saturday: How many Clasicos will be played this season overall: (50 pts) FOUR IS CORRECT Scoreline of the two Liga clasicos? (100 pts each) 5-1 at our place, 0-1 at their place, both Barca wins. I'm sure there must be some other results in but just stopped in to post that.
Another answer in, should have realized this yesterday: Will a team outside the "big 5 leagues (Spain, Germany, England, Italy & France)" make the CL quarterfinals (yes 50, no 25)? YES (Two times no less, Netherlands and Portugal).
I thinks I have dug up all the answers but please correct me if you see anything wrong. I copied the original post & then deleted the no points questions and added the ANSWERS in ALL CAPs after each question: Changing some stuff given the time frame (THIS WAS POSTED AUGUST 20TH AFTER JORNADA 1). Since no defender scored, and no one got booked, I think we can get away with almost the same questions from last season: Barça Predictions Who will score the first UCL goal? (50 pts) MESSI VS. PSV IN FIRST CL GROUP STAGE MATCH Which defender will score first? (75 pts) ALBA VS. HUESCA IN JORNADA 3 First own goal? (75 pts) LENGLET VS. SEVILLA IN JORNADA 9 Who will receive the first booking? (75 pts) PIQUE VS. REAL VALLADOLID IN JORNADA 2 Which player will be sent off first? (75 pts) UMTITI VS. PSV IS FIRST CL GROUP STAGE MATCH 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) 90 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) VIDAL & RAKITIC TIED with 24 Points (Coutinho had 28 but he was mainly employed as a forward) Name the top defender in our MOTM poll. (25 points) PIQUE Will the team bring in a new player during the January window (includes cantera promotion)? (25 pts) YES, CHEAP LOAN DEALS FOR PRINCE AND MURILLO, AS INJURY INSURANCE, ALSO BOUGHT TODIBO Five Barca players with most Liga minutes? (25 points each). PIQUE, TER STEGEN, ALBA, SUAREZ, BUSQUETS 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) CHARLES – EIBAR – 6 (ABOUT 5 OTHERS HAD 5) Zamora: (50 pts) OBLAK First coaching change: (100 pts) HUESCA How many points will La Liga champion finish with? 87 POINTS (100 pts exact tally; 50 pts ±5 within exact tally) UCL qualifiers (4 - intended to be top 4 Liga positions): (25 pts each) BARCELONA, ATLETICO MADRID, REAL MADRID, 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) GETAFE, SEVILLA, AND ESPANYOL IN 7TH AS COPA WINNER MADE CL Relegated teams (3 - intended to be 18th-20th in Liga standing ignoring financial relegation or points deductions): (50 pts each) RAYO V., HUESCA, GIRONA Four Copa del Rey semifinalists: (50 pts each) REAL MADRID, BARCELONA, BETIS, VALENCIA How many Clasicos will be played this season overall: (50 pts) FOUR Scoreline of the two Liga clasicos? (100 pts each) 5-1 FOR BARCA AT CAMP NOU; 0-1 FOR BARCA AT THEIR PLACE Predictions outside La Liga: UEFA Best Player in Europe Award(50 pts) Salah, Crissy Penaldo or Modric : MODRIC Balon d'Or shortlist (3) (25 pts each): MODRIC, RONALDO, GRIEZMANN Balon d'Or winner: (75 pts) MODRIC FIFA The Best winner (75 pts) MODRIC In relation with La Liga / Premier League / Bundesliga / Serie A / Ligue 1: • Which league will see the first coaching change(after August 24th)? (100 pts): LIGUE 1 - NANTES • Which league will have the last unbeaten side? (100 pts) SERIE A - JUVENTUS (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) MANE, SALAH, AND AUBAMEYANG ALL ON 22 Serie A champions: (50 pts) JUVENTUS Serie A Capocannoniere: (50 pts) QUAGLIARELLA 26 Bundesliga champions: (50 pts) BAYERN MUNICH Bundesliga Torjägerkanone (50 pts) LEWANDOWSKI 22 Ligue 1 champions: (50 pts) PSG Ligue 1 Top scorer (50 pts) MBAPPE 33 Correct league of the Golden Boot winner (50 points) LA LIGA CL semifinalists: (50 pts each) BARCELONA, LIVERPOOL, AJAX, TOTTENHAM EL semifinalists: (100 pts each) EINTRACHT FRANKFURT, CHELSEA, VALENCIA, ARSENAL 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 FOR 50 POINTS (DUTCH AND PORTUGUESE) 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) NO, RIVER PLATE DID NOT MAKE THE FINAL, AL AIN DID AND LOST TO REAL MADRID I got 1425 (250 Barca, 450 Liga, 75 player awards, 650 Big 5 predictions)
Barça Predictions = 275 La Liga Wide Predictions = 550 Predictions outside La Liga = 675 TOTAL = 1500
I guess jfcule is on holiday or something. Just my two cents: A quick glance and I think pretty much all of the questions we had for last season are still valid for this season. We can set a deadline of before the Valencia match, say 18h00 CET/12h00 EDT 14 September. That way people will have the entire international break to send their predictions. And we also have the next 15 days if anyone has good ideas for new questions. With the whole Neymar thing going on, would make sense to have the deadline after the transfer window closes this time (IMO). We would have to get rid of a few questions like "first player to score, first to get booking, etc." And since there is no MOTM thread this season we'll have to change those questions. I dunno, maybe replace MOTM ranking with WhoScored player ratings(?). Just tossing some ideas out there...
Barça Predictions Who will score the first UCL goal? (50 pts) - Greizmann Which defender will score first? (75 pts) - Pique First own goal? (75 pts) - Umtiti Who will receive the first booking? (75 pts) - Suarez 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) - Greizmann 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) - 110 In no particular order, list the three players that will top our MOTM poll. (25 pts each) - Dembele, Messi, FDJ Name the top midfielder in our MOTM poll. (25 points) - FDJ Name the top defender in our MOTM poll. (25 points) - Alba Will the team bring in a new player during the January window (includes cantera promotion)? (25 pts) - No Five Barca players with most Liga minutes? (25 points each). - Pique, Messi, Greizmann, MATS, Semedo Subjective/Opinion-based re BARCA (no points will be awarded) Best signing: FDJ Most disappointing signing: Firpo Best promoted player (cantera): Wague Most improved player: Dembele OLE of the season: Dembele 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) - 46 Scorer of most penalties: (75 pts) - Messi Zamora: (50 pts) - MATS First coaching change: (100 pts) - Fran Escriba How many points will La Liga champion finish with? - 92 (100 pts exact tally; 50 pts ±5 within exact tally) UCL qualifiers (4 - intended to be top 4 Liga positions): (25 pts each) - Barca, Atleti, 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) - Valencia, Betis Relegated teams (3 - intended to be 18th-20th in Liga standing ignoring financial relegation or points deductions): (50 pts each) - Mallorca, Celta, Levante Four Copa del Rey semifinalists: (50 pts each) - Barca, Valencia, Sevilla, Atleti How many Clasicos will be played this season overall: (50 pts) -5 Scoreline of the two Liga clasicos? (100 pts each) - 3-1, 2-0 Liga-wide Subjective/Opinion-based (no points will be awarded) Best signing: Joao Felix Biggest bust: Jovic Breakthrough player: FDJ Young player to look for: Joao Felix Predictions outside La Liga: UEFA Best Player in Europe Award(50 pts) Messi Balon d'Or shortlist (3) (25 pts each): Messi, Penaldo, Van Dijk Balon d'Or winner: (75 pts) - Messi FIFA The Best 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 24th)? (100 pts) - EPL • Which league will have the last unbeaten side? (100 pts) - LaLiga (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) - Salah Serie A champions: (50 pts) - Juve Serie A Capocannoniere: (50 pts) - Penaldo Bundesliga champions: (50 pts) - Bayern 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) - Barca, LPB, Liverpool, Atleti EL semifinalists: (100 pts each) - Chelsea, Zenit, Sevilla, Arsenal 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