Week 1: 7-1
Week 2: 8-0
Season: 15-1
Ok, guys. Time for the next full-length edition of my predictions. Hopefully the full-length version isn't going to prove to be a curse and form a trend of 8-0's only when no write-ups are provided.
On with the show...
Game of the Week
South Yorkshire Stars at Southriding Sting Rays
Well, this game features the two biggest winning streaks in the WEAA4 as the two incoming champions fo the A leagues square off for the first taste of [formerly]interleague rivalry.
The teams are very similar in nature. Both are excellent rushing teams. The X-factor here is that both teams also defend well against the rush. This could be a struggle for both sides, or one side could establish dominance and really run away with it. But to complement that outstanding rushing defense, the Sting Rays currently are second in the league in INT's. So with them there really isn't a weak spot to exploit.
So will the Royce/Deacon RB Train come plowing through on an inflated Sting Ray defense? Or will the Sting Ray answer of Momma/Anthony prove who the pretenders are?
My money's on SoYo. Chalk it up to bias, or chalk it up to what I consider to be too significant of a personnel advantage on their side of the field.
IKK Fu Rabid Mutineers at Belgian Beers
Well, as much as I want to bold the word Beer, I just really can't do it this week. IKK is an outstanding squad, and I think the combination of their firepower and forceful defense will be too much for the Flanders/Wallonia crowd to deal with. IKK wins this one safely.
Marseille Argonauts at Sweden Army
Well, the visiting teams are getting all of the credit this week, aren't they? Yes, they are. This is a fairly even match on paper, but I really feel like the Argonauts Offense has a better edge on the Army's Defense.. than the Army Offense has on the Argonauts' Defense. If that makes any sense. This one could be a shootout, or it could be one of those infamous 3-6 games. Hard to call. But in either event, I give the same outcome...
Belfast Commandos at Spaniard Warriors
Once again... Home field advantage what? Spaniards coming off a loss which they needed badly to convert to a W. Commandos looking incredibly strong after victories over two sure-fire playoff teams. Don't look for the Belfast train to lose any momentum this week as they look to roll over a reeling Warriors team. Warriors have the chance to put up a fight here, but I don't think they have enough to stop this one. Belfast wins easily.
Lyon Breakers at Reykjavík Lazytowners
Is this a glitch? A tear in space and time? Or has the homefield advantage flipped to homefield curse? Because Lyon is coming off a big-time win against a physically stronger team last week. Their Icelandic friends? yet to see the W column--including preseason. Will they get to put up that first notch in the W column this week? Unlikely. The guys in Lyon are showing to have an early grasp and command tactically in this season. They are looking to make some noise, and they are well on their way of achieving said goal.
Snuggles Vikings at Port St Lucie Knuckle Dusters
Come on home teams.... who is going to step up and protect their house? Going to be PStL? Not a chance. Vikings are on a mission to make sure they don't add to the L's for as long as possible whereas the Knuckle Dusters are just looking to play people close and hope for the ball to roll the right way. Vikings are a contender. It will take something special for them to drop this one.
Glasgow Lions at Bow Street Runners
Finally... a home team who is going to have the crowd partying after the clock runs down. This game could be a late-season GotW easily. Both teams are incredibly strong and will definitely be around come playoff time. Both teams obviously have sound management and active players. The only difference I see.... is that I feel like the Glasgow D can't handle what the Bow Street guys will be tossing at them. Consider that a challenge if you need to, but it won't change the fact. Nothing but respect for your team, and I am not trying to be insulting... I'm just calling it like I see it.
Belgrade Bulldogs at Cork City Wildcats
It's usually entertaining when two winless teams meet. This is not one of those cases. Belgrade has lost games because they obviously aren't doing something right. CCW has lost games because they have played great teams who have just been better on that particular day. CCW = Playoff team. Belgrade? Better hope to stay in AA if you keep up this trend. Wildcats win soundly and get that monkey off the back.
Week 2: 8-0
Season: 15-1
Ok, guys. Time for the next full-length edition of my predictions. Hopefully the full-length version isn't going to prove to be a curse and form a trend of 8-0's only when no write-ups are provided.
On with the show...Game of the Week
South Yorkshire Stars at Southriding Sting Rays
Well, this game features the two biggest winning streaks in the WEAA4 as the two incoming champions fo the A leagues square off for the first taste of [formerly]interleague rivalry.
The teams are very similar in nature. Both are excellent rushing teams. The X-factor here is that both teams also defend well against the rush. This could be a struggle for both sides, or one side could establish dominance and really run away with it. But to complement that outstanding rushing defense, the Sting Rays currently are second in the league in INT's. So with them there really isn't a weak spot to exploit.
So will the Royce/Deacon RB Train come plowing through on an inflated Sting Ray defense? Or will the Sting Ray answer of Momma/Anthony prove who the pretenders are?
My money's on SoYo. Chalk it up to bias, or chalk it up to what I consider to be too significant of a personnel advantage on their side of the field.
IKK Fu Rabid Mutineers at Belgian Beers
Well, as much as I want to bold the word Beer, I just really can't do it this week. IKK is an outstanding squad, and I think the combination of their firepower and forceful defense will be too much for the Flanders/Wallonia crowd to deal with. IKK wins this one safely.
Marseille Argonauts at Sweden Army
Well, the visiting teams are getting all of the credit this week, aren't they? Yes, they are. This is a fairly even match on paper, but I really feel like the Argonauts Offense has a better edge on the Army's Defense.. than the Army Offense has on the Argonauts' Defense. If that makes any sense. This one could be a shootout, or it could be one of those infamous 3-6 games. Hard to call. But in either event, I give the same outcome...
Belfast Commandos at Spaniard Warriors
Once again... Home field advantage what? Spaniards coming off a loss which they needed badly to convert to a W. Commandos looking incredibly strong after victories over two sure-fire playoff teams. Don't look for the Belfast train to lose any momentum this week as they look to roll over a reeling Warriors team. Warriors have the chance to put up a fight here, but I don't think they have enough to stop this one. Belfast wins easily.
Lyon Breakers at Reykjavík Lazytowners
Is this a glitch? A tear in space and time? Or has the homefield advantage flipped to homefield curse? Because Lyon is coming off a big-time win against a physically stronger team last week. Their Icelandic friends? yet to see the W column--including preseason. Will they get to put up that first notch in the W column this week? Unlikely. The guys in Lyon are showing to have an early grasp and command tactically in this season. They are looking to make some noise, and they are well on their way of achieving said goal.
Snuggles Vikings at Port St Lucie Knuckle Dusters
Come on home teams.... who is going to step up and protect their house? Going to be PStL? Not a chance. Vikings are on a mission to make sure they don't add to the L's for as long as possible whereas the Knuckle Dusters are just looking to play people close and hope for the ball to roll the right way. Vikings are a contender. It will take something special for them to drop this one.
Glasgow Lions at Bow Street Runners
Finally... a home team who is going to have the crowd partying after the clock runs down. This game could be a late-season GotW easily. Both teams are incredibly strong and will definitely be around come playoff time. Both teams obviously have sound management and active players. The only difference I see.... is that I feel like the Glasgow D can't handle what the Bow Street guys will be tossing at them. Consider that a challenge if you need to, but it won't change the fact. Nothing but respect for your team, and I am not trying to be insulting... I'm just calling it like I see it.
Belgrade Bulldogs at Cork City Wildcats
It's usually entertaining when two winless teams meet. This is not one of those cases. Belgrade has lost games because they obviously aren't doing something right. CCW has lost games because they have played great teams who have just been better on that particular day. CCW = Playoff team. Belgrade? Better hope to stay in AA if you keep up this trend. Wildcats win soundly and get that monkey off the back.
