PPL Predictions 3/13

OK, here's my first stab at some predictions, now that I have had a chance to see how everyone is doing this Spring.

Game of the Week
Blaze (6-4 Fall, 2-1-1 Spring) vs. FCD White (5-5-1 Fall, 2-1-1 Spring) - Taking a game from Group 2 here, as none of the Group 1 matchups seem to be especially intriguing. The Blaze comes off a strong 2-2 tie vs. Tigres, the first point any team has earned against them this season. They should be flying high. FCD is rolling too, with an 8-0 pasting of Boca Jrs and two close losses to Tigres. I don't put a lot of stock in the 8-0 win for FCD as Boca is reeling, but both games against Tigres were highly competitive until the end. I give the Blaze a tiny edge, 3-2.

In Other Action
Solar Gold (8-2-3) vs. TLSC (5-6-3) - This would be the Game of the Week if only TLSC was slightly higher in the standings. Solar has been rolling of late, but TLSC earned a hard-fought 0-0 tie against first place Monterrey the last time out. Any team that can hold Monterrey scoreless for 70 minutes is at the top of their defensive game. But TLSC failed to score an offensive goal for the second straight week, so I see them falling just short against a Solar team who can score. Solar Gold 1-0.

FWU N Blue (9-1-4) vs. ASG (6-6-2) - FWU will continue to solidify their hold on second place, remaining four points ahead of Solar Gold and virtually eliminating ASG from contention. FWU 2-0.

Monterrey (12-0-2) vs. Valencia (7-2-2, 0-3-1) - Monterrey gets group-jumper Valencia in their first game after being shut out by TLSC. I bet Monterrey will feel the need to assert themselves offensively, which puts Valencia in a very tough spot. Monterrey 5-1.

TFC White (9-5) vs. Nationals (4-7-3) - TFC is playing very good soccer lately, with only a loss to Solar Gold to blemish their record this spring. They may not make the Challenge Tourney, but they will definitely be a force to be reckoned with for the remainder of the Spring. TFC 2-0.

Texas Xtreme (3-9-2) vs. Aces (7-1-2, 0-3-1) - Texas Xtreme has yet to win this Spring, with their lone tie coming against Valencia, 1-1. They face the other group-jumper in this game, which may be the Xtreme's best chance to pick up a win the rest of the season. These teams are fairly similar in that they have a strong defense that limits scoring chances, and an offense that has trouble finishing against the better teams. Aces has steadily improved against the tougher competition in Group 1 despite being outplayed for the most part against the likes of FWU, Solar Gold and TFC. Aces looks at this game as one of their best shots at picking up a win as well, and I will predict the mild upset as Aces win 2-1.

Tigres (11-0, 3-0-1) - vs. Nationals FC (0-9-0, 2-1) - The Nats have fared better since their move to Group 2, managing a +2 goal differential in their three games after struggling to score in the Fall. But like Valencia, they find themselves matched up against a very good team that is coming off a tie in a game they should have won. Tigres will get back on the winning track and remain atop the Group 2 standings, 4-0.

FWU N White (5-6, 4-0) vs. Celtic United (2-8, 0-3) - FWU has enjoyed the Spring, as they are the cream of the crop in the lower division. Celtic United is struggling mightily, yet to score a goal in their three Spring losses. FWU will remain unbeaten, 4-0.

Boca Jrs (7-3, 0-3) vs. Solar Silver (1-6-1, 0-3-1) - What has happened to Boca? After hovering around the top of Group 2 in the Fall, they have fallen on hard times of late. Their most recent game, an 8-0 loss to FCD White, was a real shocker. Solar has not fared much better, notching just one win since coming out of their Qualifying Tournament bracket as the second team in August. Something has to give here. Boca has a make-up game on Thursday evening (weather permitting) against Aces, and if they bring another effort in that game like the effort against FCD, their confidence may be shot come Saturday. Give me Solar 3-1.

Texas Blitz (0-10-1, 1-1-1) vs. Inferno (0-10-1, 1-2) - These two teams were mirror images in the Fall as evidenced by their records. However, both have played better in the Spring. The winner will be on their way to a more promising Spring campaign. Texas Blitz has a 0 goal differential, and Inferno still gives up too many goals (4.33 per game), so I'll take Texas Blitz to prevail 2-1.

McKinney United (4-5-2, 0-1-1) vs. HPSA Scots (5-5-1, 2-1) - The Scots were the surprise team of this season, earning a .500 record in the Fall and dropping a close 3-2 loss to FWU N White for their only Spring loss. McKinney has very few highlights this season, as their play seems to be headed in the wrong direction. I think McKinney may have a trick or two left up their sleeve, and I'll give them a somewhat surprising 1-1 tie this weekend.

Rain, rain stay away tomorrow!

FWU Blue vs. Solar Gold for 2nd place is going to be a nail biter as they are nearly tied in points (Solar has one more game to play). It really comes down to one team making a mistake. Lose/tie one of these final games and the hopes of moving up to CL are pretty much over. But there are quite a few games left and I'd be surprised if there weren't some surprises!

Good point LDW. I didn't notice the one game difference. That makes it only a one point lead in all likelihood.

Here is the remaining schedule for both teams:
FWU - ASG, Nationals, Monterrey, Valencia
Solar Gold - TLSC, Texas Xtreme, ASG, Nationals, Solar Silver

The FWU game against Monterrey will be huge. FWU will probably need to win that one to stay ahead of Solar Gold. FWU and Monterrey did have a 0-0 tie in the Fall, so it's not out of the question that they could beat them. There is a very real possibility that Solar Gold will win out. If that happens and FWU loses or ties against Monterrey, then Solar Gold would get second place. Another near miss for FWU could be on the horizon...deja vu all over again.

It is a shame that one only Gold or FWU can go to challenge games. They are practically equal on points (Gold is down 1 game and that missing game is against Silver so a probable win), and they have tied each other twice. I still give the edge to FWU. They will loose to Monterrey and still take 2nd:

Gold get the following points the rest of the season TLSC (1) Xtreme (3), ASG (3), Nationals (3), Silver (3) for a total of 40.
FWU gets: ASG (3), Nationals (3), Monterrey (0), Valencia (3) for a total of 40.

FWU gets the 2nd place spot on goal differencial.

Homer...Solar Gold got the full three points against TLSC yesterday instead of the tie you predicted. How does that change your prediction for second place? As I had written earlier, I believe it will come down to the FWU/Monterrey game next Saturday. FWU will have to win to hold off Solar Gold. That would give FWU 43 points, and the most Solar Gold can end up with is 42 if they win out. Any other result by FWU against Montyerrey (tie or loss) opens the door for Solar Gold to pass them.

Too bad PPL decided to schedule three games during the week of Spring Break for both these teams. I'd be surprised if one or both of them don't have "vacation casualties", where front-line players miss one or more games due to being out of town on Spring Break. I hope for their sake that they are at full strength this week.

I wonder if TLSC's keeper is happy about cancelling that spring break vacation now?

Let it go already.

soccermom97b wrote:Let it go already.

stupid is as stupid does ma'am