Prediction League Review

As we reach the half way point of the season, it's time to review how things have been going in the Soccer AM/MW Prediction League so far this term.

The competition covers every Preston, Nottingham Forest, and Boston game throughout the season as the lads look into their crystal balls (hence the picture, and no jokes please.)

Three points are handed out for a right scoreline, and one point for predicting the correct result.

When tied on points, extra weight is given to the correct number of 'spot on' scorelines, and when that's level, the lads are separated by the number of points scored from games not involving their own side.

So, with all that in mind, just how have things have been going in the League this year?

Back in August, when the sun was still shining and optimism still high, it was Nobes who sat pretty at the top of the tree. A blistering start saw him three points clear after just the first two weeks.

It was a position at the summit he held for the first eight weeks of the season. However, a dip in form coincided with Lakes finding it difficult not to predict Preston's results spot-on, and Turls picking up his form.

Week 9 appeared to be crucial, Turls scoring a magnificent seven points to knock Nobes off top spot and the previous leader soon found themselves bottom of the pile after a run of six weeks without a correct scoreline.

Meanwhile, Lakes kept the pressure on Turls at the top and seven points in Week 12 saw him become take over the lead for the first time this season.

The next week was another pivotal moment in the campaign. With Cardiff beating Nottingham Forest 1-0 in a live televised match. Nobes was set to fall a full nine points off the pace and ten off the top until Forest scored a last minute equaliser.

That 1-1 scoreline gave him the full three points and was the start of a closing of the gap. Lakes began to falter and slipped back into third, but if was the defending champion, Turls, who continued to go strong.

Consistently scoring three or four points a week, he's now held top spot for the last five weeks, with Nobes hanging onto his coat-tails in second place as the second half of the season approaches.

So, as 2010 dawns will Turls continue his march towards a second successive title? Can Nobes catch him up and end the season as he started. Or will Lakes, spurred on by the thought of another wooden spoon, surge up the league to claim a surprising win?

Stay tuned to find out.

Prediction League - Week 21

Lakes is in desperate need of a bit of Christmas cheer as another poor weekend saw him slip a full ten points off the top and five points off the pace in the Prediction League.

With Boston's game called off, Nobes and leader Turls picked up a solitary point as Preston were routed by Forest, and the Boxing Day fixtures offer another chance for points in the hectic Festive period.

Preston North End vs. Barnsley

Lakes: PNE 2-0 Barnsley
Nobes: PNE 1-1 Barnsley
Turls: PNE 2-0 Barnsley



Watford vs. Nottingham Forest

Lakes: Watford 1-1 Forest
Nobes: Watford 0-1 Forest
Turls: Watford 1-1 Forest



Boston United vs. Stocksbridge Park Steels

Lakes: Skyrockets 2-0 Stocksbridge Park Steels
Nobes: Skyrockets 2-1 Stocksbridge Park Steels
Turls: Skyrockets 1-2 Stocksbridge Park Steels

Big Match Review - Forest 3 Preston 0

Championship

Nottingham Forest 3-0 Preston North End

Saturday December 19, City Ground, (Att: 21,582)

Paul McKenna scored against his former club as Nottingham Forest extended their unbeaten run to 14 games with a crushing win over Preston.

In the end, it was a convincing victory for Billy Davies's side against his former employers, with the result moving Forest level on points with second-placed West Brom in the Championship table.

The home side pressed North End back early on and Dele Adebola had an early shout for a penalty turned down after a collision with Billy Jones, then Wes Morgan headed just wide from a corner.

It didn't take long for Forest to take the lead from another corner though. Chris Cohen's inswinger was punched out by Preston keeper Andy Lonergan, however the ball fell to feet of McKenna, who unleashed an unstoppable dipping half volley into the bottom corner.

Rob Earnshaw then saw a strike harshly flagged offside, but it was through the Welshman's short corner that the home side doubled their advantage. The ball was worked to Nicky Shorey whose deep cross found Dele Adebola stealing in at the back post to finish.

And it could have been 3-0 before the break, Lonergan making a smart save to block Paul Anderson's shot after a lightning breakaway from the team in red.

And his opposite number in the Forest goal, Lee Camp, was at full stretch to stop a Jones strike as Preston tried to respond.

North End boss Alan Irvine made a double change at half-time, bringing on strikers Jon Parkin and Neil Mellor, and it was the latter of the two who missed a good chance to reduce arrears when he shot over from close range.

However, there was no way back for the Lancashire outfit as Forest sealed the points in the last ten minutes.

Lewis McGugan jinked past two Preston defenders before slipping the ball between Lonergan's legs and into the net as Davies's men confirmed their place among the promotion favourites.