Ok, let me preface by saying that I do these in a combination of accuracy and entertainment. Don't take things I say personally and get hurt feelings if I say something bad about your team. Take it as a rare opportunity to hear an outsider's perspective of your team and possibly weaknesses/strengths. I hope you guys enjoy and they will probably get better as the longer I do them, the more I'll learn about the teams.
Lion
GOTW*Angola Spider Monkeez (6-0) vs. Seychelles Island Sea Wolves (4-2)
ASM has been mauling people. Last week, they gave the Fever their worst loss in franchise history (yup, I checked). Their team is highlighted by the 2nd most efficient passing game in APL and the top run defense. Seychelles got off to a rough start, but they seem to be back on track winning 4 in a row. The pre-season favorites to win APL still don't seem to be in the form of last season when they trounced ASM 57-24 (48-3 at half time). In season 9, it was 57-7. So, recent history has been domination by Seychelles. Tbh, I don't have a damn clue what's going to happen here. ASM has been better this year, so I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt, but an SISW upset would not surprise me at all.
Monkeez 31 Sea Wolves 27
Dar es Salaam Warrior Kings 6-0 vs. Port Harcourt Playmakers 3-3
DSWK has taken care of business so far and seems to be pretty focused. PHP is very underleveled and though their defense is stellar again this season, their offense has struggled of late, scoring only 14 points/game over their last 3 games, all losses. They'll struggle offensively again here as the Kings have a great rush defense. In the end, a 4 game losing streak is not what PHP imagined after a hot start, but it's a reality they'll likely be facing.
Warrior Kings 23 Playmakers 10
South African Ridgebacks 5-1 vs. Tanzania Lumberjacks 2-4
SAR has had a really nice season so far and gave ASM their only real challenge. Tanzania has no running game and SAR leads the league in PDs and the Conference in INTs. This could end up a rout.
Ridgebacks 56 Lumberjacks 10
GOTW2*Pangani Peckerwoods 5-1 vs. African Fever 3-3
A very interesting match up here to me. Pangani has already equaled their win total from last season. The Fever are off to a somewhat blah start after a stellar season last season in AAA. No one runs the ball more than Pangani. Hell, their top threats include their Punter (return TDs from their CPU game). But in their only real game this season, they flashed an air attack against SAR that they hadn't shown elsewhere and they lost that game in OT. I think they're more for real this year than I had previously thought, but I still am not buying them as a home playoff team in Lion. The Fever really struggle to stop the run and their 112 missed tackles is not a good sign against Pangani. When I originally looked at this game, I thought Fever were the better team, but they don't match up well. They might score some points...if their offense ever gets on the field.
Peckerwoods 38 Fever 31
GOTW3*Tanzania Mountaineers 4-2 vs. Kilwa Polar Bears 3-3
Another good match up here. Both teams are fighting for playoff spots. Kilwa loves to use their scat back and that really will be the key to the game. If he is successful, Kilwa can put up some points. If not, it will be another great game by the Tanzania defense. I think Kilwa needs it more so they'll find a way.
Polar Bears 24 Mountaineers 21
Cape Town Crusaders (2-4) vs. Rwanda Royal Knights (1-5)
RRK has had a brutal start to the season. They got off the schneid against a very good PHP team last week and they'll continue it here. Cape Town just doesn't have enough to really compete up here yet. Luckily for them, they're in lolion, so they'll hang around in APL at least.
Royal Knights 48 Crusaders 20
Ethiopia Devils (1-5) vs. Sahara Shadowchasers (0-6)
Riveting dotball here boys.
Devils 255 Shadowchasers 0
West Nile Virus (0-6) vs. Angola Dream (0-6)
I was going to announce a gut alert for WNV a few weeks ago as puppy always seemed like the classless type to do that shit mid-season. Very little annoys me more than when teams do this. Works out for Angola that this happened before their match up as Angola now gets to stay in APL. lolion it is.
Dream 255 Virus 0
Elephant
GOTW3*Ghost Riders in the Sky (6-0) vs. Cairo Emperors (5-1)
Cairo may be 5-1, but GRitS is the class of the league right now. They have a huge match up with Somalia next that may be their first and only real challenge this season. Cairo has had a solid season and after their 81st season in the Pros might actually even win a playoff game this season, but they aren't anywhere near GRitS right now.
Riders 63 Emperors 10
Somalia Pirates (6-0) vs. Cardiff Cobras (1-5)
I know it's early for a relegation call, but I think the Cobras are going back to AAA. Sad thing is they'd be the 10th best team in Lion. They need to focus on more winnable games than this one. Pirates dominate.
Pirates 70 Cobras 6
Boston Dogs (5-1) vs. Uganda Headhunters (2-4)
If you don't know who Darnello Jefferson and Phil Krundle are, then you haven't been paying attention. The Dogs are going to be crazy good next season and they're already a playoff team this season. They'll talk a lot on the forums, but they're actually a really well run team with some great players. C85 gave them a reality check last week, but they'll be back to their winning ways here. Uganda has a lot of levels, but they just don't seem to be very good.
Dogs 42 Headhunters 17
GOTW2*Angola Blood Diamonds (5-1) vs. Somalia Warlords (3-3)
The Warlords have played a brutal early schedule and it's hard to imagine them at 3-4 as they are a very good team. ABD was pretty much handled in their loss to Dakar even though the score seemed close. But Somalia does it through the air and Dakar did it on the ground. ABD's defense is pretty stout overall, but against the pass, they're awesome. Somalia won't be an elite team until they can balance out their offense some. ABD will get enough points in this contest to get it done.
Blood Diamonds 27 Warlords 14
GOTW*The Chad OchoCinco (4-2) vs. Kickin' Djibouti (4-2)
Interesting match up here. Both teams have home playoff hopes and should definitely end up as playoff teams. Two teams that don't exactly play the toughest defense out there, but they do know how to score points. C85 introduced the Dogs to Autry Denson last week as they broke up their perfect season. KD's strength is their crazy passing game and they throw the rock more than anyone in APL. C85 has the worst Pass defense in APL. Strength vs. weakness here. However, I usually like the team with a more balanced attack in these high scoring affairs as they'll be harder to stop frequently. Luckylouse, the HB for KD, is an old AAA #1 foe from the Mozambique Thundercats. They used to get so pissed at me for always picking against them, but I was usually right. This time, I'm taking his team in a game that won't have any shortage of scoring.
Djibouti 51 OchoCinco 45
Dakar Dragons (4-2) vs. Sons of Anubis (1-5)
I don't predict my own games for many reasons. Dakar is 3-1 all time against SoA, but SoA won the big one. GL HF.
Cote d'Ivoire Clash (2-4) vs. Michigan Nation (0-6)
The Nation got welcomed to the Pros with a brutal schedule, but they played some teams very tough (ABD by 11, Boston by 17 and KD by 10 leading the final 2 games going into the 4th). They'll get a couple wins this season if teams take them lightly. I actually think they might fight their way out of relegation. Cote had a pretty tough schedule themselves and they're going out and playing a crazy non-league schedule. They crushed EGE last week and are a very well run team. They can't overlook Michigan here, but they should have enough to get it done. The Nation's first win waits another week.
Clash 31 Nation 21
Equatorial Guinea Experience (1-5) vs. The African Predators (1-5)
A pretty important game for these teams. Winner probably stays in the Pros. Loser has to find some wins out there. EGE hasn't exactly played an easy schedule, but they pulled a fortunate NC game. I think they've relied on solid builds and levels to carry them in the past and that isn't going to fly here. When they finally had a winnable game, they got crushed by the Clash. This is a game that neither team wants to lose, but I think the Predators will actually do something about it. EGE needs to step it up or they could find themselves in some must win games later this season.
Predators 31 Experience 24
Lion
GOTW*Angola Spider Monkeez (6-0) vs. Seychelles Island Sea Wolves (4-2)
ASM has been mauling people. Last week, they gave the Fever their worst loss in franchise history (yup, I checked). Their team is highlighted by the 2nd most efficient passing game in APL and the top run defense. Seychelles got off to a rough start, but they seem to be back on track winning 4 in a row. The pre-season favorites to win APL still don't seem to be in the form of last season when they trounced ASM 57-24 (48-3 at half time). In season 9, it was 57-7. So, recent history has been domination by Seychelles. Tbh, I don't have a damn clue what's going to happen here. ASM has been better this year, so I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt, but an SISW upset would not surprise me at all.
Monkeez 31 Sea Wolves 27
Dar es Salaam Warrior Kings 6-0 vs. Port Harcourt Playmakers 3-3
DSWK has taken care of business so far and seems to be pretty focused. PHP is very underleveled and though their defense is stellar again this season, their offense has struggled of late, scoring only 14 points/game over their last 3 games, all losses. They'll struggle offensively again here as the Kings have a great rush defense. In the end, a 4 game losing streak is not what PHP imagined after a hot start, but it's a reality they'll likely be facing.
Warrior Kings 23 Playmakers 10
South African Ridgebacks 5-1 vs. Tanzania Lumberjacks 2-4
SAR has had a really nice season so far and gave ASM their only real challenge. Tanzania has no running game and SAR leads the league in PDs and the Conference in INTs. This could end up a rout.
Ridgebacks 56 Lumberjacks 10
GOTW2*Pangani Peckerwoods 5-1 vs. African Fever 3-3
A very interesting match up here to me. Pangani has already equaled their win total from last season. The Fever are off to a somewhat blah start after a stellar season last season in AAA. No one runs the ball more than Pangani. Hell, their top threats include their Punter (return TDs from their CPU game). But in their only real game this season, they flashed an air attack against SAR that they hadn't shown elsewhere and they lost that game in OT. I think they're more for real this year than I had previously thought, but I still am not buying them as a home playoff team in Lion. The Fever really struggle to stop the run and their 112 missed tackles is not a good sign against Pangani. When I originally looked at this game, I thought Fever were the better team, but they don't match up well. They might score some points...if their offense ever gets on the field.
Peckerwoods 38 Fever 31
GOTW3*Tanzania Mountaineers 4-2 vs. Kilwa Polar Bears 3-3
Another good match up here. Both teams are fighting for playoff spots. Kilwa loves to use their scat back and that really will be the key to the game. If he is successful, Kilwa can put up some points. If not, it will be another great game by the Tanzania defense. I think Kilwa needs it more so they'll find a way.
Polar Bears 24 Mountaineers 21
Cape Town Crusaders (2-4) vs. Rwanda Royal Knights (1-5)
RRK has had a brutal start to the season. They got off the schneid against a very good PHP team last week and they'll continue it here. Cape Town just doesn't have enough to really compete up here yet. Luckily for them, they're in lolion, so they'll hang around in APL at least.
Royal Knights 48 Crusaders 20
Ethiopia Devils (1-5) vs. Sahara Shadowchasers (0-6)
Riveting dotball here boys.
Devils 255 Shadowchasers 0
West Nile Virus (0-6) vs. Angola Dream (0-6)
I was going to announce a gut alert for WNV a few weeks ago as puppy always seemed like the classless type to do that shit mid-season. Very little annoys me more than when teams do this. Works out for Angola that this happened before their match up as Angola now gets to stay in APL. lolion it is.
Dream 255 Virus 0
Elephant
GOTW3*Ghost Riders in the Sky (6-0) vs. Cairo Emperors (5-1)
Cairo may be 5-1, but GRitS is the class of the league right now. They have a huge match up with Somalia next that may be their first and only real challenge this season. Cairo has had a solid season and after their 81st season in the Pros might actually even win a playoff game this season, but they aren't anywhere near GRitS right now.
Riders 63 Emperors 10
Somalia Pirates (6-0) vs. Cardiff Cobras (1-5)
I know it's early for a relegation call, but I think the Cobras are going back to AAA. Sad thing is they'd be the 10th best team in Lion. They need to focus on more winnable games than this one. Pirates dominate.
Pirates 70 Cobras 6
Boston Dogs (5-1) vs. Uganda Headhunters (2-4)
If you don't know who Darnello Jefferson and Phil Krundle are, then you haven't been paying attention. The Dogs are going to be crazy good next season and they're already a playoff team this season. They'll talk a lot on the forums, but they're actually a really well run team with some great players. C85 gave them a reality check last week, but they'll be back to their winning ways here. Uganda has a lot of levels, but they just don't seem to be very good.
Dogs 42 Headhunters 17
GOTW2*Angola Blood Diamonds (5-1) vs. Somalia Warlords (3-3)
The Warlords have played a brutal early schedule and it's hard to imagine them at 3-4 as they are a very good team. ABD was pretty much handled in their loss to Dakar even though the score seemed close. But Somalia does it through the air and Dakar did it on the ground. ABD's defense is pretty stout overall, but against the pass, they're awesome. Somalia won't be an elite team until they can balance out their offense some. ABD will get enough points in this contest to get it done.
Blood Diamonds 27 Warlords 14
GOTW*The Chad OchoCinco (4-2) vs. Kickin' Djibouti (4-2)
Interesting match up here. Both teams have home playoff hopes and should definitely end up as playoff teams. Two teams that don't exactly play the toughest defense out there, but they do know how to score points. C85 introduced the Dogs to Autry Denson last week as they broke up their perfect season. KD's strength is their crazy passing game and they throw the rock more than anyone in APL. C85 has the worst Pass defense in APL. Strength vs. weakness here. However, I usually like the team with a more balanced attack in these high scoring affairs as they'll be harder to stop frequently. Luckylouse, the HB for KD, is an old AAA #1 foe from the Mozambique Thundercats. They used to get so pissed at me for always picking against them, but I was usually right. This time, I'm taking his team in a game that won't have any shortage of scoring.
Djibouti 51 OchoCinco 45
Dakar Dragons (4-2) vs. Sons of Anubis (1-5)
I don't predict my own games for many reasons. Dakar is 3-1 all time against SoA, but SoA won the big one. GL HF.
Cote d'Ivoire Clash (2-4) vs. Michigan Nation (0-6)
The Nation got welcomed to the Pros with a brutal schedule, but they played some teams very tough (ABD by 11, Boston by 17 and KD by 10 leading the final 2 games going into the 4th). They'll get a couple wins this season if teams take them lightly. I actually think they might fight their way out of relegation. Cote had a pretty tough schedule themselves and they're going out and playing a crazy non-league schedule. They crushed EGE last week and are a very well run team. They can't overlook Michigan here, but they should have enough to get it done. The Nation's first win waits another week.
Clash 31 Nation 21
Equatorial Guinea Experience (1-5) vs. The African Predators (1-5)
A pretty important game for these teams. Winner probably stays in the Pros. Loser has to find some wins out there. EGE hasn't exactly played an easy schedule, but they pulled a fortunate NC game. I think they've relied on solid builds and levels to carry them in the past and that isn't going to fly here. When they finally had a winnable game, they got crushed by the Clash. This is a game that neither team wants to lose, but I think the Predators will actually do something about it. EGE needs to step it up or they could find themselves in some must win games later this season.
Predators 31 Experience 24
