| The U'sual Champions League Round of 16 Week 1 & 2 13:18 - Feb 16 with 3275 views | wessex_exile |
First off, my profound apologies for not even noticing (or probably caring) that the Champion's League was fast approaching. I have selected an addtional four games for next week from random competitions, to make up the numbers and ensure the full compliment of matches is available. Thereafter, it's back to the Round of 16 fixtures.
Congratulations to all the qualifiers, and commiserations to those who didn't quite make the cut. This will be the (unlucky) 13th season of the UCL, and my last running the competition. Alongside reigning champion RSCOSWORTH, this years competition includes Champions League heavyweight and record points scorer mfb_cufc making his tenth appearance in the finals. Also in the top five all-time points scorers in this competition are thrillseeker and noah4x4, both former winners of the competition. For the second year running, blueeagle, MrHappy2, Lewis_1 and Moor_Pinot have qualified, and it's second appearances for unitedwhites and oxfcolu, previously qualifying in 2021 and 2019 respectively. And finally, making their inaugural appearance in the U'sual Champions League, welcome to Madeira and GOSBTS.
Qualifiers
The qualifiers, in order of rank, are RSCOSWORTH, GOSBTS, mfb_cufc, Moor_Pinot, MrHappy2, noah4x4, Madeira163, Lewis_1, unitedwhites, oxfcolu, thrillseeker and blueeagle
Groups
Using a random number generator, the qualifiers have been drawn into the following 4 groups of 3 (Groups A, B, C, D) and play off against each other predicting all of the Round of 16 matches. The rankings in brackets after holder RSCOSWORTH is based on points tally at the time of qualification.
A: RSCOSWORTH (1)
A: mfb_cufc (3)
A: MrHappy2 (5)
B: Madeira163 (7)
B: unitedwhites (9)
B: thrillseeker (11)
C: GOSBTS (2)
C: Moor_Pinot (4)
C: noah4x4 (6)
D: Lewis_1 (8)
D: oxfcolu (10)
D: blueeagle (12)
Round of 16 matches to predict
21/02/2023: Blackburn Rovers v Blackpool (Championship)
21/02/2023: Plymouth Argyle v Cheltenham Town (EFL Trophy)
22/02/2023: Accrington Stanley v Bolton Wanderers (EFL Trophy)
22/02/2023: England v Belgium (Arnold Clark Cup)
21/02/2023: Eintracht Frankfurt v Napoli
21/02/2023: Liverpool v Real Madrid
22/02/2023: Inter Milan v FC Porto
22/02/2023: RB Leipzig v Manchester City
07/03/2023: Chelsea v Borussia Dortmund
07/03/2023: Benfica v Club Bruges
08/03/2023: Tottenham Hotspur v AC Milan
08/03/2023: Bayern Munich v PSG
14/03/2023: Manchester City v RB Leipzig
14/03/2023: FC Porto v Inter Milan
15/03/2023: Real Madrid v Liverpool
15/03/2023: Napoli v Eintracht Frankfurt
Basic stuff
As always, there will be no first-to-post tie-break deciders, only most spot-ons. However, given the problems encountered in previous competitions with competitors posting too many exact matches, for my final go at running the U'sual Champions League, this time around exact matches are not a thing, so predict as you see fit and we'll see how it pans out.
3pts for a spot-on result, 1pt for the correct outcome (home win, draw or away win). All predictions are the result at the end of normal time, extra-time and/or penalties will not count. Top two from each Group go through.
Quarter-finals
The Group qualifiers will then form two mini-leagues of 4, and play off against each other predicting all of the Quarter-final matches. Mini-leagues will be comprised as follows: Winner A, Runner-Up B, Winner C, Runner-up D and Runner-up A, Winner B, Runner-up C, Winner D.
Semi-finals
The top two from each mini-league will then be drawn from a hat to play off in head-to-head matches, all predicting the semi-final matches.
Final
The finalists will play-off predicting the Champions League Final, this will include predicting different aspects of the game, not just the score.
…and finally, tie-breaks
If a tie-break is needed in the Round of 16 or Quarter-finals, those involved will need to predict the attendance at the very next U's game on the Saturday after conclusion of the round (e.g. next U's game after the Round of 16 is Leyton Orient v U's on Sat 18th March).
Only those involved in the tie-break will need to make a prediction, so this can be done any time before kick-off on that Saturday. The closest to the right amount (above or below) will win the tie-break in their Group, so first to post will count here if necessary.
Tie-break rules for the Semi-final and Final will be announced in due course.
Good luck everyone!
[Post edited 18 Feb 2023 17:21]
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| The U'sual Champions League Round of 16 Week 1 & 2 on 15:27 - Feb 16 with 2673 views | RSCOSWORTH |
Don't think you shook the hat enough! Groups A and C are both groups of death! |  |
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| The U'sual Champions League Round of 16 Week 1 & 2 on 15:50 - Feb 16 with 2670 views | wessex_exile |
There is a quirk, and it only happens with one specific random number, and today it came up thanks to no. 5  | |
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| The U'sual Champions League Round of 16 Week 1 & 2 on 20:57 - Feb 16 with 2637 views | MrHappy2 |
Round of 16 matches to predict
21/02/2023: Blackburn Rovers v Blackpool (Championship) 2-0
21/02/2023: Plymouth Argyle v Cheltenham Town (EFL Trophy) 2-0
22/02/2023: Accrington Stanley v Bolton Wanderers (EFL Trophy) 0-2
22/02/2023: England v Belgium (Arnold Clark Cup) 2-2
21/02/2023: Eintracht Frankfurt v Napoli 1-2
21/02/2023: Liverpool v Real Madrid 1-2
22/02/2023: Inter Milan v FC Porto 2-0
22/02/2023: RB Leipzig v Manchester City 2-0
07/03/2023: Chelsea v Borussia Dortmund 2-0
07/03/2023: Benfica v Club Bruges 1-0
08/03/2023: Spurs v AC Milan 1-0
08/03/2023: Bayern Munich v PSG 1-1
14/03/2023: Manchester City v RB Leipzig 3-0
14/03/2023: FC Porto v Inter Milan 3-0
15/03/2023: Real Madrid v Liverpool 3-0
15/03/2023: Napoli v Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0 |  |
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| The U'sual Champions League Round of 16 Week 1 & 2 on 20:58 - Feb 16 with 2636 views | MrHappy2 |
It’s Spurs v A C Milan | |
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| The U'sual Champions League Round of 16 Week 1 & 2 on 02:52 - Feb 17 with 2616 views | wessex_exile |
| The U'sual Champions League Round of 16 Week 1 & 2 on 20:58 - Feb 16 by MrHappy2 |
It’s Spurs v A C Milan |
Cheers Haps, fixed. | |
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| The U'sual Champions League Round of 16 Week 1 & 2 on 07:26 - Feb 17 with 2608 views | noah4x4 |
I have zero interest in the overpaid prima donnas in European Cup Football or the wannabes in Women's football. Hence, this is nothing but a pin-sticking exercise for me after 22/02.
2 - 0 21/02/2023: Blackburn Rovers v Blackpool (Championship)
3 - 1 21/02/2023: Plymouth Argyle v Cheltenham Town (EFL Trophy)
1 - 2 22/02/2023: Accrington Stanley v Bolton Wanderers (EFL Trophy)
5 - 0 22/02/2023: England v Belgium (Arnold Clark Cup)
1 - 0 21/02/2023: Eintracht Frankfurt v Napoli
2 - 0 21/02/2023: Liverpool v Real Madrid
3 - 1 22/02/2023: Inter Milan v FC Porto
0 - 2 22/02/2023: RB Leipzig v Manchester City
1 - 0 07/03/2023: Chelsea v Borussia Dortmund
2 - 0 07/03/2023: Benfica v Club Bruges
0 - 2 08/03/2023: Tottenham Hotspur v AC Milan
2 - 0 08/03/2023: Bayern Munich v PSG
3 - 0 14/03/2023: Manchester City v RB Leipzig
1 - 3 14/03/2023: FC Porto v Inter Milan
2 - 0 15/03/2023: Real Madrid v Liverpool
2 - 1 15/03/2023: Napoli v Eintracht Frankfurt |  | | |
| The U'sual Champions League Round of 16 Week 1 & 2 on 15:19 - Feb 17 with 2572 views | blueeagle |
Blackburn 2-0 Blackpool
Plymouth 2-0 Cheltenham
Acc Stanley 1-2 Bolton
England 3-1 Belgium
E. Frankfurt 1-2 Napoli
Liverpool 1-1 Real Madrid
Inter Milan 2-1 Porto
R B Leipzig 1-2 Manchester City
Chelsea 1-2 B. Dortmund
Benfica 2-1 Club Bruges
Spurs 1-1 A C Milan
B. Munich 2-0 PSG
Manchester City 2-0 RB Leipzig
Porto 1-2 Inter Milan
Real Madrid 2-0 Liverpool
Napoli 1-0 E Frankfurt |  | | |
| The U'sual Champions League Round of 16 Week 1 & 2 on 21:53 - Feb 17 with 2557 views | GOSBTS |
Excited to be on board.
21/02/2023: Blackburn Rovers v Blackpool (Championship) 2-0
21/02/2023: Plymouth Argyle v Cheltenham Town (EFL Trophy) 2-1
22/02/2023: Accrington Stanley v Bolton Wanderers (EFL Trophy) 1-1
22/02/2023: England v Belgium (Arnold Clark Cup) 3-0
21/02/2023: Eintracht Frankfurt v Napoli 1-2
21/02/2023: Liverpool v Real Madrid 1-3
22/02/2023: Inter Milan v FC Porto 2-0
22/02/2023: RB Leipzig v Manchester City 1-2
07/03/2023: Chelsea v Borussia Dortmund 1-1
07/03/2023: Benfica v Club Bruges 2-0
08/03/2023: Tottenham Hotspur v AC Milan 1-2
08/03/2023: Bayern Munich v PSG 2-1
14/03/2023: Manchester City v RB Leipzig 3-0
14/03/2023: FC Porto v Inter Milan 1-3
15/03/2023: Real Madrid v Liverpool 2-0
15/03/2023: Napoli v Eintracht Frankfurt 0-0 |  | | |
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| The U'sual Champions League Round of 16 Week 1 & 2 on 22:24 - Feb 17 with 2552 views | unitedwhites |
21/02/2023: Blackburn Rovers2 v Blackpool0 (Championship)
21/02/2023: Plymouth Argyle2 v Cheltenham Town (EFL Trophy)1
22/02/2023: Accrington Stanley1 v Bolton Wanderers 0(EFL Trophy)
22/02/2023: England 3v Belgium0 (Arnold Clark Cup)
21/02/2023: Eintracht Frankfurt 1v Napoli2
21/02/2023: Liverpool1 v Real Madrid2
22/02/2023: Inter Milan 1v FC Porto0
22/02/2023: RB Leipzig0 v Manchester City2
07/03/2023: Chelsea2 v Borussia Dortmund1
07/03/2023: Benfica 2v Club Bruges0
08/03/2023: Tottenham Hotspur 1v AC Milan0
08/03/2023: Bayern Munich1 v PSG2
14/03/2023: Manchester City3 v RB Leipzig1
14/03/2023: FC Porto1 v Inter Milan2
15/03/2023: Real Madrid1 v Liverpool0
15/03/2023: Napoli1 v Eintracht Frankfurt0 |  | | |
| The U'sual Champions League Round of 16 Week 1 & 2 on 23:34 - Feb 17 with 2550 views | oxfcolu |
21/02/2023: Blackburn Rovers v Blackpool (Championship)1-0
21/02/2023: Plymouth Argyle v Cheltenham Town (EFL Trophy) 2-0
22/02/2023: Accrington Stanley v Bolton Wanderers (EFL Trophy) 0-1
22/02/2023: England v Belgium (Arnold Clark Cup) 3-0
21/02/2023: Eintracht Frankfurt v Napoli 2-0
21/02/2023: Liverpool v Real Madrid 2-2
22/02/2023: Inter Milan v FC Porto 1-0
22/02/2023: RB Leipzig v Manchester City 1-2
07/03/2023: Chelsea v Borussia Dortmund 1-2
07/03/2023: Benfica v Club Bruges 2-1
08/03/2023: Tottenham Hotspur v AC Milan 1-1
08/03/2023: Bayern Munich v PSG 2-0
14/03/2023: Manchester City v RB Leipzig 2-0
14/03/2023: FC Porto v Inter Milan 1-1
15/03/2023: Real Madrid v Liverpool 3-1
15/03/2023: Napoli v Eintracht Frankfurt 0-0 |  | | |
| The U'sual Champions League Round of 16 Week 1 & 2 on 19:42 - Feb 20 with 2493 views | thrillseeker |
21/02/2023: Blackburn Rovers v Blackpool 2-1
21/02/2023: Plymouth Argyle v Cheltenham Town 2-0
22/02/2023: Accrington Stanley v Bolton Wanderers 0-1
22/02/2023: England v Belgium 4-0
21/02/2023: Eintracht Frankfurt v Napoli 0-2
21/02/2023: Liverpool v Real Madrid 1-1
22/02/2023: Inter Milan v FC Porto 2-1
22/02/2023: RB Leipzig v Manchester City 0-1 | | | |
| The U'sual Champions League Round of 16 Week 1 & 2 on 12:39 - Feb 21 with 2480 views | mfb_cufc |
21/02/2023: Blackburn Rovers 1 Blackpool 0
21/02/2023: Plymouth Argyle 2 Cheltenham Town 1
22/02/2023: Accrington Stanley 1 Bolton Wanderers 2
22/02/2023: England 3 Belgium 0
21/02/2023: Eintracht Frankfurt 1 Napoli 2
21/02/2023: Liverpool 2 Real Madrid 1
22/02/2023: Inter Milan 1 FC Porto 0
22/02/2023: RB Leipzig 0 Manchester City 2 |  |
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| The U'sual Champions League Round of 16 Week 1 & 2 on 13:12 - Feb 21 with 2475 views | wessex_exile |
Currently waiting for one from each group - RS, Madeira, Moor_Pinot and Lewis. | |
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| The U'sual Champions League Round of 16 Week 1 & 2 on 17:20 - Feb 21 with 2457 views | Lewis_1 |
21/02/2023: Blackburn Rovers v Blackpool (Championship) 2-1
21/02/2023: Plymouth Argyle v Cheltenham Town (EFL Trophy) 1-2
22/02/2023: Accrington Stanley v Bolton Wanderers (EFL Trophy) 0-3
22/02/2023: England v Belgium (Arnold Clark Cup) 3-1
21/02/2023: Eintracht Frankfurt v Napoli 1-3
21/02/2023: Liverpool v Real Madrid 1-1
22/02/2023: Inter Milan v FC Porto 1-1
22/02/2023: RB Leipzig v Manchester City 1-3 | | | |
| The U'sual Champions League Round of 16 Week 1 & 2 on 18:13 - Feb 21 with 2452 views | RSCOSWORTH |
Round of 16 (Match night one of six)
21/02/2023: Blackburn Rovers v Blackpool 1-0
21/02/2023: Plymouth Argyle v Cheltenham Town 3-1
21/02/2023: Eintracht Frankfurt v Napoli 1-2
21/02/2023: Liverpool v Real Madrid 0-1 | |
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| The U'sual Champions League Round of 16 Week 1 & 2 on 21:19 - Feb 22 with 2410 views | RSCOSWORTH |
Bugger! | |
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| The U'sual Champions League Round of 16 Week 1 & 2 on 11:11 - Feb 24 with 2369 views | wessex_exile |
This weeks' games (covering Weeks 1 and 2 of the Round of 16) have finished as follows:
Blackburn Rovers 1 Blackpool 0
Plymouth Argyle 1 Cheltenham Town 1 (Argyle win 3-2 on penalties, but a 1-1 draw is the result that counts)
Accrington Stanley 0 Bolton Wanderers 2
England 6 Belgium 1
Eintracht Frankfurt 0 Napoli 2
Liverpool 2 Real Madrid 5
Inter Milan 1 FC Porto 0
RB Leipzig 1 Manchester City 1
Some interesting results in that bundle, not least Real Madrid's demolition of Liverpool 5-2 at Anfield. Cheltenham Town probably count themselves unlucky not to progress in the Papa Johns Trophy against their bigger more illustrious League 1 West Country opponents, particularly after taking an early second half lead, but Argyle pegged them back and squeaked through on penalties at the end of full-time. Hat's off too to the Lionesses, who steamrolled Belgium in the Arnold Clark cup. This is the second staging of the round robin invitation trophy, with England winning it for the second time of asking, finishing top of the group with three wins out of three.
Group A
In Group A, mfb_cufc showed exactly why he has been so dominant throughout the history of this competition, getting both the Blackburn Rovers and Inter Milan victories spot-on, and three other results correct as outcomes, to top the group with 9 points. With just over ten minutes to go, he was also holding the England victory spot-on at 3-0, but then things went crazy and England scored another three with even a consolation for Belgium thrown in for good measure. MrHappy2 remains in contention, getting the Bolton Wanderers win spot-on and four other outcomes, to go second with seven points. "Bugger" indeed for RSCOSWORTH, who missed predicting the Wednesday fixtures. However, after also getting the Blackburn Rovers win spot-on and two other outcomes from the first four fixtures, on five points is still in touch with the top two.
Group B
It's honours even in Group B with unitedwhites and thrillseeker equal top of the group on seven points. In doing so, unitedwhites predicted the Inter Milan victory spot on with four other outcomes, and thrillseeker the Napoli away win spot on. Both had the England home win as an outcome, and as with Group A, unitedwhites held the lead with a 3-0 prediction until Julie Biesman's own goal made it 4-0 in favour of thrillseeker. It stayed that way too until agonisingly the 89th minute, when Lucy Bronze made if five, but still with two more goals to come. A U'sual Champions League debut no-show for Madeira163 leaves him a mountain to climb to stand a chance of qualifying.
Group C
It's similarly very tight in Group C, with GOSBTS on his debut in the competition picking up five of the eight matches as outcomes, to top the group on five points. Hot on his heels is noah4x4 with four outcomes, to go second on four points. He also went even closer with the England result, his 5-0 prediction holding the trump card right up until the 91st minute, when Belgium's Elena Dhont scored their unlikely consolation. Following a no-show from Moor_Pinot, he also faces an uphill struggle to qualify, but being only four points behind second place, it does remain possible.
Group D
The only group that actually achieved a full set of predictions from all competitors, and not surprisingly the closest as a result. Top of the group on eight points is oxfcolu, getting both the Blackburn Rovers and Inter Milan wins spot on, plus two more outcomes. Not too far behind in second place is blueeagle on five points from five outcomes, but Lewis_1 is hot on his heels with four points from four outcomes, keeping things all very tight in Group D.
Just a reminder that the Week 3 fixtures are on the 7th and 8th of March. | |
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| The U'sual Champions League Round of 16 Week 1 & 2 on 15:08 - Mar 4 with 2272 views | Lewis_1 |
07/03/2023: Chelsea v Borussia Dortmund 1-1
07/03/2023: Benfica v Club Bruges 3-0
08/03/2023: Tottenham Hotspur v AC Milan 2-1
08/03/2023: Bayern Munich v PSG 1-0
14/03/2023: Manchester City v RB Leipzig 3-1
14/03/2023: FC Porto v Inter Milan 1-0
15/03/2023: Real Madrid v Liverpool 2-0
15/03/2023: Napoli v Eintracht Frankfurt 3-1 | | | |
| The U'sual Champions League Round of 16 Week 1 & 2 on 16:57 - Mar 4 with 2257 views | thrillseeker |
07/03/2023: Chelsea v Borussia Dortmund 2-1
07/03/2023: Benfica v Club Bruges 2-0
08/03/2023: Spurs v AC Milan 2-1
08/03/2023: Bayern Munich v PSG 2-1 | | | |
| The U'sual Champions League Round of 16 Week 1 & 2 on 17:58 - Mar 5 with 2227 views | mfb_cufc |
07/03/2023: Chelsea 1 Borussia Dortmund 2
07/03/2023: Benfica 1 Club Bruges 0
08/03/2023: Tottenham Hotspur 2 AC Milan 1
08/03/2023: Bayern Munich 2 PSG 1
14/03/2023: Manchester City 2 RB Leipzig 0
14/03/2023: FC Porto 1 Inter Milan 0
15/03/2023: Real Madrid 2 Liverpool 1
15/03/2023: Napoli 1 Eintracht Frankfurt 0 | |
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| The U'sual Champions League Round of 16 Week 1 & 2 on 17:29 - Mar 7 with 2186 views | RSCOSWORTH |
Round of 16 (Match nights three and four of six)
07/03/2023: Chelsea v Borussia Dortmund 0-0
07/03/2023: Benfica v Club Bruges 2-1
08/03/2023: Tottenham Hotspur v AC Milan 2-1
08/03/2023: Bayern Munich v PSG 2-1 [Post edited 7 Mar 2023 17:30]
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| The U'sual Champions League Round of 16 Week 1 & 2 on 18:25 - Mar 7 with 2171 views | wessex_exile |
Still waiting for a first show from Madeira163 and Moor_Pinot, otherwise all on board for Week 3. | |
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| The U'sual Champions League Round of 16 Week 1 & 2 on 10:24 - Mar 8 with 2149 views | wessex_exile |
| The U'sual Champions League Round of 16 Week 1 & 2 on 18:25 - Mar 7 by wessex_exile |
Still waiting for a first show from Madeira163 and Moor_Pinot, otherwise all on board for Week 3. |
Last night's fixtures finished:
Chelsea 2 Borussia Dortmund 0 (Chelsea through 2-1 on aggregate)
Benfica 5 Club Bruges 1 (Benfica through 7-1 on aggregate)
In the U'sual Champions League, one 3-pointer and a smattering of outcomes were picked up across all groups, with everyone who predicted picking up at least a point. A full round up will follow after tonight's fixtures. | |
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| The U'sual Champions League Round of 16 Week 1 & 2 on 08:26 - Mar 9 with 2119 views | thrillseeker |
14/03/2023: Manchester City v RB Leipzig 2-0
14/03/2023: FC Porto v Inter Milan 2-1
15/03/2023: Real Madrid v Liverpool 1-2
15/03/2023: Napoli v Eintracht Frankfurt 1-0 | | | |
| The U'sual Champions League Round of 16 Week 1 & 2 on 11:24 - Mar 9 with 2110 views | wessex_exile |
The final two fixtures from Week 3 have finished:
Tottenham Hotspur 0 AC Milan 0 (AC Milan through 1-0 on aggregate)
Bayern Munich 2 PSG 0 (Bayern Munich through 3-0 on aggregate)
Group A
In the tightest group of the UCL, MrHappy2 and mfb_cufc go head to head at the top. MrHappy2 moves level at the top on 11 points, after predicting the Chelsea win spot-on, with another outcome completing an impressive four point haul. However, mfb_cufc remains the other favourite for qualification, with two outcomes from Week 3 to take his tally to an equal 11 points. RSCOSWORTH, with seven points, just about remains in touch for qualification, also with two outcomes in Week 3, but he needs some impressive scoring in Week 4 to achieve it.
Group B
With Madeira163 still a no show, it looks like an unopposed cakewalk towards qualification in Group B. In terms of seeding for the quarter-final draw, thrillseeker moves to the top of the table on ten points, after getting three outcomes in Week 3. unitedwhites, though, keeps him honest with two outcomes of his own to stay just one point behind on nine points.
Group C
With Moor_Pinot also a no-show in Group C, this again looks like easy qualification for the other two in the group. From level on points at the end of Week 2, noah4x4 moves clear top of the group on nine points, picking up an impressive five points in Week 3, including the Bayern Munich victory spot-on. He moves ahead of GOSBTS, despite getting a decent two outcomes of his own. With apparently only seeding to play for, a two point gap going into Week 4 is very slender.
Group D
At the end of Week 3, there are two clear favourites for qualification emerging. oxfcolu remains top with an impressive 13 points, after also picking up five points this week, again including the Bayern Munich victory spot-on. It's really no surprise that blueeagle remains second on ten points, given the two of them had identical predictions in Week 3 - these things will unfortunately happen. In 3rd place, Lewis_1 will probably feel aggrieved to have lost ground on the top two, even though his two outcomes in Week 3 gives him six points. Still, as with Group A, overcoming a four point deficit isn't necessarily impossible in Week 4.
...and finally, bear in mind that even in Groups B and C, where qualification seems a formality, tie-breaks may still be required to determine seeding for the quarter-final draw. As a reminder, the tie-break prediction will be the attendance at Leyton Orient v U's on Saturday 18th March. [Post edited 9 Mar 2023 22:01]
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