Been a super busy day, so haven't had too much time for predictions this week. Some games will not get much mention, but will try and do write-ups of the interesting games like normal.
With this game, we turn the first corner of the season, the half-way mark. This is the time where the tables should start showing at least relatively accurate standings, and the time for teams to take a closer look at themselves.
The promoted A teams have shown great competitiveness, some probably more than the settled AA teams had expected, and this have brought a whole new dynamic to the league. While some teams seem to be guaranteed a play-off spot already, the fight for the top-4 placements are just beginning, and it is all but impossible to predict the outcome at the end of week 16.
Lion:
This week in Lion features a few good games, and a handful of what seems to be certain blow outs. The big games will mean a lot tho, so this week is an exciting one despite all this.
Red Sea Wave at Freetown PalookasGAME OF THE WEEK
Very interesting game in store here, between the 7-0 RSW and the 6-1 Palookas. Both teams have started out with the lighter part of the schedule, but have looked very convincing. Both teams have put big numbers on the board in most of their matches, so we could be in for a lot of scores this evening. For the Palookas, this game marks the beginning of the toughest stretch in their schedule, and now is the time to prove they deserve their current placement. RSW is favorites, but they will have to find a way to shut down the Palookas offense if they dont want this game to become a little too close for comfort. It will be a tough game, but RSW should take the win if they can play up to their best.
RSW wins 57-42
Katanga Diamonds at Ethiopia Executioners
The Diamonds are the only team besides RSW in Lion currently 7-0, and they are perhaps the biggest favorite to represent Lion in the league final. A stacked squad with great coaches on the side has made for a team displaying their strength game after game. They beat Cape Verde in a close game in week 2, and that fact only makes their chances that much bigger. It is hard to see who can stop them, but one thing is sure, it's not Ethiopia. This game holds little excitement for anyone but Katanga fans, as a win seems assured before the game is even played. Ethiopia have made no attempt at winning games this year, and this wouldnt be the best place to start anyway. A leagues next year?
Katanga wins 89-0
Band of Brothers at Atlantic Blue Jays
BoB have shown signs of great strength, and currently hold the #4 spot, but are tied 6-1 with Freetown for #3. Blue Jays should be around the same lvl of competition as AF and Scottish Sharks, both of which BoB has destroyed during the last 2 weeks. It doesnt bode well for the Blue Jays, who has disappointed perhaps most of all this year with big losses to promoters and blow outs against more settled teams. This can only go one way, and that is the BoB way.
BoB wins easily, 75-3
Cape Verde Headhunters at Scottish Sharks
The Headhunters ran into an unexpected loss last week, and they are taking it out on the Sharks. Cape Verde has been playing extremely well, and their 5-2 record shows that they have passed some tough steps in their schedule already, and they would probably be 7.0 if they have had the same schedule as some of the teams currently above them. They are one of the biggest favorites for a top-4 seed, and they will have to make a statement today against a weak Sharks team to regain some confidence, and to keep the other teams guessing. The Sharks isn't looking to be making the play-offs this year, unless something drastic happens, and their chance against CV is very slim. They have had a very tough schedule tho, so they shouldn't be counted out completely. But it will be uphill all the way if they are to pull it off. One of the teams to keep an eye on for the teams eying the #7-#8 seed.
CV takes it home 67-13
Rhein Main Magic Mushrooms at African Fire
Shouldn't be playing with fire when tripping, and the Mushrooms are gonna get burned here tonight. The druggies out of Rhein Main doesnt seem to have any chance of competing this year, and are one of the most likely team to be relegated from Lion. AF started out beating up on lower ranked teams, but have been taking some severe beatings themselves the past 3 games, at the hands of RSW, Katanga and Bob. Especially the last 2 mentioned games looked disturbing from an AF POV, and this game comes at a good time. This should be a solid win for AF, and hopefully they can gain some confidence and morale before next week's big game against CV.
AF wins 56-0
White Nile Piranha at Kilimanjaro Kamikaze
This should be a good game, a game that could be the difference between making or missing the play-offs. Both teams looks to currently be teams looking to pick up the #7 or #8 seed, and the tie-breaker that comes with a win here will likely be deciding. KK has shown some great offensive football in a few games, but their defense hasn't been impressive, and the margin of loss against teams they should compare themselves to have simply been too big. They currently hold the #11 spot with a 3-4 record. White Nile are also 3-4, and currently hold the #9 spot. They have not been as high scoring against the weaker teams, but have looked more solid than KK in the defensive aspect of the game. They still need to improve if the hopes of play-offs are to be kept alive tho, and today will be a good indicator as both teams seem equal in strength, altho be it in different areas.
Pick 'Em
Burundi Hutu at Malagasy Bushmen
The Hutu boys are perhaps the team that feel they have had it toughest of all competing teams, with a 1 pt, 2 pt and 3 pt loss in a row. They looked to have gotten over the L streak with a solid win against Ethiopia, but then got killed against Freetown last week. Will take more games to find themselves it seems, and today is a good chance at getting back in the fight, as they are favorites against the Bushmen. The Bushmen will probably not get relegated, but thats only because there are teams like Ethiopia in the conference.
Hutu wins 52-17
Elephant:
3 huge games this week, where much can be won or lost as far as home field in the play-offs go. We should be in for some good football.
Richmond Raiders at Swaziland SemnikatiBIG GAME
Even tho Richmond are big favorites, this game should be good fight between Old A#1 rivals. Back then Swaziland had the edge, but tables have switched as Swaziland has the exact same squad as last year, while Richmond only has a handful of last years roster still active. The Semnikati has some really sneaky coaches tho, and they might give up more of a fight than ppl think. Richmond has swiped away all competition so far, including wins against some very tough opponents. Very convincing wins even. Swaziland has got the "Underdog" label firmly attached top them by their conference, but have shown great spirit and ability. They have not been blown out once despite facing some of the best teams here, and that says a lot looking at the general scores this season. All this said, anything but a Richmond win would be a BIG upset, but they will have to be as focused as they have been so far.
Raiders wins 45-28
Real Men of Genius at Rwanda AssassinsBIG GAME
Rwanda have beaten 2 promoters, and they have lost to 2 promoters. This week they face last years A#1 finalists from RMoG. Rwanda have been looking good so far, altho a tiny bit inconsistent. Last week gave a win over the Rhinos, but only by 41-30, a result that doesnt look too good. They will have to perform much better if they want to stand a chance against a tough RMoG squad, that looks like they might be a DD 2.0 - "now with less smack". RMoG have some brilliant coaches on board, and their squad is monstrous their lvl's taken into account. Atm they look like the biggest competitor for #1 along with Cairo Crocs and Richmond, and they need the win today to solidify their position.
RMoG wins 39-19
Trinidad Trojans at Cairo Crocodiles
Bye week for the Crocs, with a little stat padding on the side
Dakar Dragons at EEORG Bastards GAME OF THE WEEK
This is a superb matchup, with the new kids from Dakar on one side, and the seasoned veterans of EEORG on the other. EEORG made promises to the fans that a 20-0 season was under way, but so far it have been a disappointing season with 3 losses in the first 7 games. They have only lost 1 of the last 5 tho, and are looking to be gaining more strength as each week passes. A win today against Dakar is a must in their way back to the top, as a loss would set them back immensely. Dakar has been really impressive so far, with a win against Lake M and 2 close losses against Rwanda and Cairo Crocs. This is the first of 3 tough games coming up for Dakar, and they will need to keep their cool if they dont want to drop down the table over this period. A win here would be huge for Dakar, and would rank them amongst the favorites for a top-4 spot.
Pick 'Em
Sierra Leone Head Shrinkers at Cairo Cannibals
Sierra Leone hors d'oevre's anyone?
Zimbabwe Black Rhinos at Lake M'Zumba Cannibals
The Rhinos have a few new faces by the looks of it, but will not be able to pose much of a threat for anyone this season. Lake M are still puzzled how they are only 4-3, but their schedule hasn't been easy. The size of the losses is a cause for concern non the less, and they are very happy to have played, and beaten, EEORG before their trouble started. Still seem sure of a play-off spot, but the top-4 looks much less likely now than it did 7 weeks ago. This week should yield a good win tho, and they will need it before the RMoG game next week.
Lake M wins 47-24
Zanzibar Leopards at Casablanca White Houses
Finally a game that Casablanca are favorites to win. They wont make the play-offs this year, but the fans enjoy any chance to see their team win.
Casablanca wins 31-10
Serengeti Wildebeest at Cape Town Shinobis
Stuff
Cape Town wins 34-13
With this game, we turn the first corner of the season, the half-way mark. This is the time where the tables should start showing at least relatively accurate standings, and the time for teams to take a closer look at themselves.
The promoted A teams have shown great competitiveness, some probably more than the settled AA teams had expected, and this have brought a whole new dynamic to the league. While some teams seem to be guaranteed a play-off spot already, the fight for the top-4 placements are just beginning, and it is all but impossible to predict the outcome at the end of week 16.
Lion:
This week in Lion features a few good games, and a handful of what seems to be certain blow outs. The big games will mean a lot tho, so this week is an exciting one despite all this.
Red Sea Wave at Freetown PalookasGAME OF THE WEEK
Very interesting game in store here, between the 7-0 RSW and the 6-1 Palookas. Both teams have started out with the lighter part of the schedule, but have looked very convincing. Both teams have put big numbers on the board in most of their matches, so we could be in for a lot of scores this evening. For the Palookas, this game marks the beginning of the toughest stretch in their schedule, and now is the time to prove they deserve their current placement. RSW is favorites, but they will have to find a way to shut down the Palookas offense if they dont want this game to become a little too close for comfort. It will be a tough game, but RSW should take the win if they can play up to their best.
RSW wins 57-42
Katanga Diamonds at Ethiopia Executioners
The Diamonds are the only team besides RSW in Lion currently 7-0, and they are perhaps the biggest favorite to represent Lion in the league final. A stacked squad with great coaches on the side has made for a team displaying their strength game after game. They beat Cape Verde in a close game in week 2, and that fact only makes their chances that much bigger. It is hard to see who can stop them, but one thing is sure, it's not Ethiopia. This game holds little excitement for anyone but Katanga fans, as a win seems assured before the game is even played. Ethiopia have made no attempt at winning games this year, and this wouldnt be the best place to start anyway. A leagues next year?
Katanga wins 89-0
Band of Brothers at Atlantic Blue Jays
BoB have shown signs of great strength, and currently hold the #4 spot, but are tied 6-1 with Freetown for #3. Blue Jays should be around the same lvl of competition as AF and Scottish Sharks, both of which BoB has destroyed during the last 2 weeks. It doesnt bode well for the Blue Jays, who has disappointed perhaps most of all this year with big losses to promoters and blow outs against more settled teams. This can only go one way, and that is the BoB way.
BoB wins easily, 75-3
Cape Verde Headhunters at Scottish Sharks
The Headhunters ran into an unexpected loss last week, and they are taking it out on the Sharks. Cape Verde has been playing extremely well, and their 5-2 record shows that they have passed some tough steps in their schedule already, and they would probably be 7.0 if they have had the same schedule as some of the teams currently above them. They are one of the biggest favorites for a top-4 seed, and they will have to make a statement today against a weak Sharks team to regain some confidence, and to keep the other teams guessing. The Sharks isn't looking to be making the play-offs this year, unless something drastic happens, and their chance against CV is very slim. They have had a very tough schedule tho, so they shouldn't be counted out completely. But it will be uphill all the way if they are to pull it off. One of the teams to keep an eye on for the teams eying the #7-#8 seed.
CV takes it home 67-13
Rhein Main Magic Mushrooms at African Fire
Shouldn't be playing with fire when tripping, and the Mushrooms are gonna get burned here tonight. The druggies out of Rhein Main doesnt seem to have any chance of competing this year, and are one of the most likely team to be relegated from Lion. AF started out beating up on lower ranked teams, but have been taking some severe beatings themselves the past 3 games, at the hands of RSW, Katanga and Bob. Especially the last 2 mentioned games looked disturbing from an AF POV, and this game comes at a good time. This should be a solid win for AF, and hopefully they can gain some confidence and morale before next week's big game against CV.
AF wins 56-0
White Nile Piranha at Kilimanjaro Kamikaze
This should be a good game, a game that could be the difference between making or missing the play-offs. Both teams looks to currently be teams looking to pick up the #7 or #8 seed, and the tie-breaker that comes with a win here will likely be deciding. KK has shown some great offensive football in a few games, but their defense hasn't been impressive, and the margin of loss against teams they should compare themselves to have simply been too big. They currently hold the #11 spot with a 3-4 record. White Nile are also 3-4, and currently hold the #9 spot. They have not been as high scoring against the weaker teams, but have looked more solid than KK in the defensive aspect of the game. They still need to improve if the hopes of play-offs are to be kept alive tho, and today will be a good indicator as both teams seem equal in strength, altho be it in different areas.
Pick 'Em
Burundi Hutu at Malagasy Bushmen
The Hutu boys are perhaps the team that feel they have had it toughest of all competing teams, with a 1 pt, 2 pt and 3 pt loss in a row. They looked to have gotten over the L streak with a solid win against Ethiopia, but then got killed against Freetown last week. Will take more games to find themselves it seems, and today is a good chance at getting back in the fight, as they are favorites against the Bushmen. The Bushmen will probably not get relegated, but thats only because there are teams like Ethiopia in the conference.
Hutu wins 52-17
Elephant:
3 huge games this week, where much can be won or lost as far as home field in the play-offs go. We should be in for some good football.
Richmond Raiders at Swaziland SemnikatiBIG GAME
Even tho Richmond are big favorites, this game should be good fight between Old A#1 rivals. Back then Swaziland had the edge, but tables have switched as Swaziland has the exact same squad as last year, while Richmond only has a handful of last years roster still active. The Semnikati has some really sneaky coaches tho, and they might give up more of a fight than ppl think. Richmond has swiped away all competition so far, including wins against some very tough opponents. Very convincing wins even. Swaziland has got the "Underdog" label firmly attached top them by their conference, but have shown great spirit and ability. They have not been blown out once despite facing some of the best teams here, and that says a lot looking at the general scores this season. All this said, anything but a Richmond win would be a BIG upset, but they will have to be as focused as they have been so far.
Raiders wins 45-28
Real Men of Genius at Rwanda AssassinsBIG GAME
Rwanda have beaten 2 promoters, and they have lost to 2 promoters. This week they face last years A#1 finalists from RMoG. Rwanda have been looking good so far, altho a tiny bit inconsistent. Last week gave a win over the Rhinos, but only by 41-30, a result that doesnt look too good. They will have to perform much better if they want to stand a chance against a tough RMoG squad, that looks like they might be a DD 2.0 - "now with less smack". RMoG have some brilliant coaches on board, and their squad is monstrous their lvl's taken into account. Atm they look like the biggest competitor for #1 along with Cairo Crocs and Richmond, and they need the win today to solidify their position.
RMoG wins 39-19
Trinidad Trojans at Cairo Crocodiles
Bye week for the Crocs, with a little stat padding on the side
Dakar Dragons at EEORG Bastards GAME OF THE WEEK
This is a superb matchup, with the new kids from Dakar on one side, and the seasoned veterans of EEORG on the other. EEORG made promises to the fans that a 20-0 season was under way, but so far it have been a disappointing season with 3 losses in the first 7 games. They have only lost 1 of the last 5 tho, and are looking to be gaining more strength as each week passes. A win today against Dakar is a must in their way back to the top, as a loss would set them back immensely. Dakar has been really impressive so far, with a win against Lake M and 2 close losses against Rwanda and Cairo Crocs. This is the first of 3 tough games coming up for Dakar, and they will need to keep their cool if they dont want to drop down the table over this period. A win here would be huge for Dakar, and would rank them amongst the favorites for a top-4 spot.
Pick 'Em
Sierra Leone Head Shrinkers at Cairo Cannibals
Sierra Leone hors d'oevre's anyone?
Zimbabwe Black Rhinos at Lake M'Zumba Cannibals
The Rhinos have a few new faces by the looks of it, but will not be able to pose much of a threat for anyone this season. Lake M are still puzzled how they are only 4-3, but their schedule hasn't been easy. The size of the losses is a cause for concern non the less, and they are very happy to have played, and beaten, EEORG before their trouble started. Still seem sure of a play-off spot, but the top-4 looks much less likely now than it did 7 weeks ago. This week should yield a good win tho, and they will need it before the RMoG game next week.
Lake M wins 47-24
Zanzibar Leopards at Casablanca White Houses
Finally a game that Casablanca are favorites to win. They wont make the play-offs this year, but the fans enjoy any chance to see their team win.
Casablanca wins 31-10
Serengeti Wildebeest at Cape Town Shinobis
Stuff
Cape Town wins 34-13
