MABS

Well done to the 4 winners & Fader for time & efforts collating scores etc...?

Hi Guys, I'm so sorry about the delay with this.  I'm currently on holiday, I fully intended to have it sorted before we went and if not thought I'd find time whilst away, but have failed on both counts.  I'll be back home this weekend.  I'm sure there is nothing at all interesting happening on Saturday to sidetrack me (other than a pile of washing) so should be sorted then. Thanks for bearing with me.

Blackburn @ 1.85
RB Leipzig @ 2.25
Fiorentina @ 1.95
Max - half bank please

cardiff x 3.2
reading x 3.3
sunderland x 3.2
50% desperation treble

Dortmund @ 1.67
Lorient @ 2.05
Atletico Madrid @ 2.00
15 point treble

45 players make it through but 2 of those need Liverpool tomorrow. One with a joker.

@akarsioti @u1905068 @MinellaWorksop @Xtc12 @Hotpotklonk @Shaunbear @MrForce @Balearic_Beats @bobsyerunkle @Sugardaddyken @Superscrumpy @Wivz_03 @Fader @MABS @Astleavista
Good luck Division 2

Cardiff vs Birmingham
The early 12:30pm BST kick-off in the Championship on Saturday will see Cardiff host Birmingham at the Cardiff City Stadium. Both teams struggled last season but managed to avoid the dreaded drop to League One. The home side have endured a mixed bag of results so far but they'll be hopeful of picking up a vital win against a visiting team who have undoubtedly exceeded expectations thus far.
Cardiff were an enigma heading into this season with the large turnover in playing staff and three games have so far failed to alter that opinion. Steve Morison's team started the season with an impressive 1-0 win over promotion favourites Norwich at home but that was followed up by a disappointing 2-1 loss away to Reading. Midweek then saw a scratch team packed with fringe and reserve players battered ruthlessly by League One side Portsmouth by a 3-0 score in the EFL Cup 1st Round. It's hard to read too much into the results. I think someone somewhere said that centre back Curtis Nelson has been directly responsible for 80% of the goals in the last two games. Harsh but probably true. The lack of a potent front man is also evident with the Bluebirds possessing the worst xG in the Championship. A lack of penetration and finishing in the final third was evident again in the EFL Cup game. It'll be interesting to see what team Morison picks for this one but I'm anticipating he'll have Ryan Allsop in goal with Mahlon Romeo, Jamilu Collins, Perry Ng, and Cedric Kipre in the back-line.  After that, it's open to the gaffer.
Birmingham have looked like a club in trouble for a number of seasons now with the fans blaming the ownership for the problems at the club. The Blues appointed the inexperienced John Eustace as head coach after the sacking of Lee Bowyer back at the start of July. The new man hasn't really had a lot of backing in the transfer market but a number of key additions have come into the club either on permanent contracts or loans including keeper John Ruddy, full back Dion Sanderson, centre backs Auston Trusty and Krystian Bielik, and striker Przemyslaw Placheta. The team started the league campaign with a gritty 0-0 draw away to last season's play-off qualifiers Luton followed up by a 2-1 win at home against Huddersfield. A 2-2 draw with Norwich before losing 4-2 on penalties came in the EFL Cup 1st Round but it's fair to say that there has been enough on show to give the fans a bit of optimism after they'd been so pessimistic all summer.
If there is one thing that's looking likely to happen in this game it's a lack of goals. Less than 2.5 goals have been scored in 8 of the last 10 Cardiff home league games and fewer than 2.5 goals have been scored in 4 of the last 5 Birmingham away league matches. The midday heat is also likely to destroy any energy this match will hope to have. I've still got huge concerns about Cardiff's lack of scoring options and our defence is going to need to be on form if we're to get anything here. That won't change until we add an experienced head up front. I'm not as optimistic as I was a few weeks back but I still feel Cardiff should be gutted if they don't get a draw out of this. Can they get the win? It's a tall order without a killer in the final third.
Draw @ 3.35 with SBK
Total Goals Scored Under 2.5 @ 1.74 with SBK

Southampton vs Leeds
The penultimate preview for the 3pm BST kick-offs on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League is a fascinating encounter between two teams anticipated to endure tough seasons this year but who experienced contrasting emotions on the opening weekend of action. It's Southampton versus Leeds at St Mary's Stadium and the home team need a win after taking a battering last week as they go up against a visiting side looking to build on a pleasantly surprising start to their campaign.
Southampton fans and football pundits in general have stated that this could be the toughest season yet for Ralph Hasenhuttl at the Saints. If the 4-1 loss away to Tottenham is anything to go by then they might not be far wrong. It's worth noting that it was an impressive display from an improving Spurs side but the same old defensive issues appear to be haunting Southampton this season. It had briefly looked so positive for Southampton last week when James Ward-Prowse gave his team a 1-0 lead after 12 minutes but the fightback came leaving Southampton stunned. It's now 10 opening home league games without a win for Southampton now. Southampton have also failed to win either of their opening two league games in 7 of the previous 8 seasons. The club is also on the brink of equalling a club record 6 straight league defeats. It's all very grim reading for the south coast side.
Leeds were a team I thought might struggle under the big overhaul by head coach Jesse Marsch but the 2-1 win at home to Wolves on the opening weekend showed that this Whites team might have more to them. It was particularly commendable how they battled back from going 1-0 down after just 6 minutes to get the win thanks to a goal from Rodrigo and an own goal from Rayan Ait-Nouri. Leeds have only managed to win both of their first two league games of a season on one occasion in the last 12 years and that came back in the Championship in 2018/19. Striker Patrick Bamford could be a shout for anytime scorer having bagged a goal in each of his last three league appearances against Southampton. There is also a chance that Marsch could give a debut to winger Luis Sinisterra.
There's a reason that Southampton fans should actually be optimistic about this game despite the historical statistics linked to their opening home game results and that is that they have won 4 of their last 5 home encounters with Leeds. Leeds have also lost 6 of their last 8 league trips to Southampton. Is this the game where it all changes? I'm not sure. Once again, I'm not convinced I can call a winner here. I wouldn't be surprised if they played out a draw.
Draw @ 3.60 with Betfred
Total Goals Scored Over 2.5 @ 1.75 with SBK

Brentford vs Manchester United
The evening kick-off in the Premier League on Saturday is a 5:30pm BST start between Brentford and Manchester United from the Brentford Community Stadium. Both of these teams failed to pick up a win in their opening league game of the season. The home team will undoubtedly be delighted with their away comeback against Leicester but the away side will be holding an inquisition about how they lost at home to Brighton.
Brentford were a team many felt might have issues this season. The term "second season syndrome" has been bounced around a fair bit in pre-season. After the first 46 minutes of their opening league game last weekend you'd have been forgiven for thinking that expectation was holding true. However, a goal each from Ivan Toney and Josh Dasilva helped the London club hit back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 against Leicester. Head coach Thomas Frank will be smelling blood in this game. The addition of Danish international Mikkel Damsgaard has boosted the quality in the Brentford ranks. The Bees do still have a defensive headache with both Kristoffer Ajer and Ethan Pinnock ruled out. Brentford haven't lost any of their opening home league games for the last six seasons. The team did also keep a clean sheet in 5 of their last 7 home league games of last season.
Manchester United are a team in crisis right now. I believe the unprofessional phrase would be that it's a sh*t show! Head coach Erik ten Hag started his reign with a 2-1 loss at home to Brighton but it was the manner of the defeat that was the most worrying. The Red Devils looked defensively fragile. New signing Lisandro Martinez looked out of his depth. Captain Harry Maguire continued his woeful form and still looks like an appalling leader on the pitch. The central midfield combination of Fred and Scott McTominay failed to deliver a performance. Then there's the impotency up front. If United lose this game it'll be the first time since 1979 that they have lost four league games in a row. The team have also lost 6 league games away from home in a row. They haven't lost 7 away league matches in a row since 1936. That is the scale of disaster United are staring at right now.
Somehow, Manchester United come into this game as firm favourites but I just cannot muster the courage to back them. It's clear that the issues lie deep within the United hierarchy and the fact ten Hag has been told to temper his expectations in the transfer market says everything about the ambition levels being fed down from the top. The quality that United boast they should be coming away from this game with a solid win but I can't find it in myself to back them. The price on a Brentford win looks too good to turn down. Brentford are more cohesive, work harder, more fluid, more organised, and more settled than United. The Dutchman may well prove to be a decent appointment but it's not going to happen overnight.
Brentford to Win @ 3.90 with SpreadEx
Anytime Scorer: Ivan Toney @ 3.30 with SportNation

I swear to god, posting here is the kiss of death. Nice call, Stevie.

Very much this. I don't post much but I appreciate those that do! Thanks.

Not a problem, @freddie01. Glad you enjoy them. Hopefully get some winners in this week! 

Stevie.Thanks for the effort you put in with the previews. Just wanted you to know it's very much appreciated.

Having watched Murray play Ymer and lose just recently, I simply cannot put 1 cent on Murray. He simply can't beat a 65% match fit Fritz.

Just a quick message on this for 2022/23 season.  I intended to get going for Prem league start this week but haven't had chance to get it sorted so rather than rush and potentially catch people out we'll look to start weekend of 13th.  This also coincides with the Spanish La Liga restart so we should have the full complement of matches for then.
I'm intending to hold just 3 seasons this time so we can do the full 10 week run with a week off in between.  We'll also need to take a break mid-season when the World Cup break starts.
Everyone who completed season 4 last year will be allocated a place and new players are also invited to join in.  I will put up a new thread as soon as possible with confirmation of the Divisions and for new players to show their interest.
In the meantime, study the form!

Also what do you think about Aliassime - 1,5 sets, khakhanov and gauff? 
I also like vekic odds, but her serve from quali make me stay away.  (26 double faults if i remember corectly) 

@CzechPunterwhere are the RG picks?

I like both stefanos and novak, but from what I ve seen untill now, djokovic just has the clearly higher level(IMO tsitsipas is worse this year on clay than he was last year plus that he seemed so drained at the end of the zverev match).novak's ball striking seems to be at it's best again and I just can t see tsistsipas hanging with him consistently in rallies. It's just djokovic's focus that needs to hold up and get that win.

St. Etienne @ 2.25
Brentford @ 2.50
20 point double

Our new LMSC champion. Well done, mate.
Please send me over your paypal details.

Leicester over @ 1.85
Aston Villa over @ 1.85
Inter @ 1.35
20 point treble please
 

Avongirl , you're a star for collating the results etc... ✨ ?

What a joke. Samsonova 4-4 1st set and basically disintegrates, losing the next 8 games and the match 4-6 0-6. 2nd set she must have won 6 points. Sometimes (mostly), woman's tennis just remains a combination of joke/mystery to me.