97 PPL Predictions 10/24-10/25

Saturday
Game of the Week
Monterrey (4-0) vs. FWU N Blue (3-0-1) - This is a battle of the two leading contenders so far this season. FWU seems to be on a mission after their late-season collapse last year, and has scored the most goals (18) of any Group 1 team through four games. Monterrey is the new kid on the block, and after dominating the QT in August, they have been doing just enough to keep their record unblemished so far. Monterry has not yet faced a team who is as talented as FWU, and I believe the new kid will get their face shoved in the dirt for the first time. FWU 3-2.

Solar Gold (2-0-1) vs. ASG (2-2) - In any other week this might be the premier game, but they will be overshadowed by the #1 vs. #2 matchup. Solar Gold is as yet unbeaten, but is averaging just over two goals per game. ASG's usually stout defense is giving up an unusual 1.5 goals per game. Both teams appear to be struggling to do what they have been known to do best. I don't really have a feel for how this one will turn out, so give me a 1-1 tie.

TLSC (3-1) vs. Texas Xtreme (1-3) - Texas Xtreme has a losing record, but it's not due to their lack of defense at just over one goal per game. Their problem seems to be scoring, as they score just as many as they give up (5-5). If you take away TLSC's 7-0 shutout of winless Nationals FC to open the season, they have just a +4 goal differential in their last three. And yet they are an own-goal away from being undefeated. This game shapes up to be a tight, low-scoring battle where the first team to make a mistake will lose. Give me TLSC 1-0.

Nationals (0-3-1) vs. Nationals FC (0-4) - Nationals will dump their namesake and get their first win, 4-1.

TFC White (2-1) vs. Solar Silver (0-3-1) - Solar Silver is the only team in PPL who has yet to find the net, and TFC is averaging under two goals per game. I think TFC will keep Solar Silver scoreless and win 2-0.

Sunday

Solar Gold vs. TFC White - The only Group 1 teams who play twice this weekend. Solar will salvage a win out of the weekend by knocking off TFC 2-1.

Group 2

Saturday
Game of the Week
Valencia (5-0) vs. Tigers (4-0) - This was an easy choice for GOTW, as just in Group 1, these two are currently at the top of the standings in Group 2. This will be the stiffest test for both teams so far this year, and the winner will stay undefeated and become the favorite to win the league. Both teams sport gaudy goal differentials with Valencia at +19 and Tigers at +17. Valencia has the size, the Tigers have the speed, so it will be interesting to see which attribute wins out. Valencia comes off a mauling of McKinney FC, 9-2 on Tuesday night, while the Tigers had perhaps their most lackluster effort so far last weekend in a 5-2 win over FWU N White. I still think the Tigers are the stronger team, so they will take this game 4-3.

Blaze (3-2) vs. HPSA Scots (3-3) - The Blaze had a somewhat surprising 5-1 win over FCD White on Tuesday, affirming that they are a solid team. After a rough start, the Scots have fought back to even their record. Based on their results, I think the Blaze will end up with slightly the better of this matchup, 3-2.

FCD White (2-3) vs. Celtic United (1-4) - This is a game featuring two teams in desperate need of a win. The Celtics come off a 5-2 loss to Boca Jrs on Tuesday, while FCD got the worst of a 5-1 loss to the Blaze the same night. It will be the Celtic's lack of scoring punch that will doom them in this game, as FCD will win 3-1.

Aces (3-0-1) vs. Inferno (0-5-1) - Inferno has struggled mightily this year, as the only game they haven't lost outright was an ugly 0-0 tie in Week 2. The Aces are rolling along nicely, but have had perhaps the easiest schedule so far as their tougher games have been rained out and pushed to the end of the season. The Aces likely won't get a real sense for where they are until the last couple of weeks when they face the top 3-4 teams in the Group. Aces 3-0.

Boca Jrs (4-1) vs. FWU N White (1-3) - Boca hasn't shown any signs of letting up on offense as they are consistently putting up four goals a game. But of the top four teams in Group 2, they have allowed the most goals by far at 12. That will eventually come back to haunt them, but not in this game. FWU will not be able to keep up the scoring pace and will drop a 4-1 decision.

McKinney FC (2-3-1) vs. Texas Blitz (0-4-1) - McKinney needs this game for their confidence after getting rolled by Valencia on Tuesday. The Blitz are statistically the worst team in Group 2 (-17 goal diff, only one goal scored), so McKinney should be able to make some progress. McKinney 3-0.

Sunday

Valencia vs. Boca Jrs - Valencia has the toughest weekend of any team in PPL, facing the second and third-ranked teams in back to back games. If Valencia loses to the Tigers on Saturday, they will be in great need of a win. They will take care of Boca 3-2.

Tigers vs. HPSA Scots - Tigers will make it a 2-0 weekend by taking out the Scots 4-1.

Aces vs. FCD White - This could be considered a grudge match, as several former FCD players changed teams in the summer and joined Aces. FCD reloaded, and both ended up in the same Group. They also faced each other in the August QT, which turned out to be the Aces first ever game against live competiton. The Aces came back twice from one-goal defecits to salvage a 2-2 tie in that game. At least so far, the Aces have shown more consistency than FCD with a +12 goal differential and only two goals allowed in four games, while FCD has both scored and given up a dozen goals. Neither team wants to lose this game, but I believe the Aces will come out on top in a hard-fought 2-1 game. Best of luck to both teams!

FWU N White vs. Texas Blitz - FWU will earn their second win, 3-1.