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Plenty of outcomes from the 8 games, but 3 pointers not so easy to come by, with only 6 in total.
THE GROUPS (8 out of 16 played) (Tie-break: Most 3 pointers only)
Just like at this stage last year, Daniel has got off to a great start by having the wins for Real Madrid and Inter Milan spot-on, and another four outcomes, to put him in a strong position for the Quarter-finals. Some good outcomes for blueeagle and bwildered, with the former holding a slight advantage for the other qualifying spot.
Although he modestly claims to be clueless about Europe, noah4x4 shows no signs of it, as gets the Bayern 3-0 spot-on, and six outcomes - with only the Dortmund result stopping him having a full house - to make him favourite for a Quarter-final place. Six good outcomes for unitedwhites in the other qualifying spot, means Jorash63 is needing to improve on his three outcomes in the final 8 fixtures, to have a chance.
mfb_cufc was another to miss out on a full house by not getting the Dortmund result, as his seven outcomes puts him in the lead at the halfway stage. But things are close in this group as basher2010 has the Real Madrid 2-1 spot-on, to claim second, and thrillseeker got the Barcelona 1-0 spot-on, to remain in contention. Those 3 pointers could prove to be vital if it comes to a tie-breaker in this group.
After missing the first fixture, going 2-1 all other games, has given Sector4 the advantage in this group. Three outcomes was enough for Lewis_1 to claim second, as unfortunately Tropical_Us failed to post.
Round Of 16 2nd leg fixtures No more than four predictions the same as fellow group members, and all fixtures to be predicted at the same time please.
All predictions are the result at the end of normal time, extra-time and/or penalties will not count. If any members are level on points after the 16 fixtures, the tie-break rule will apply. As always in this competition, there will be no first-to-post tie-break deciders, only most spot-ons. If they are still level, then a further tie-break will apply by predicting the attendance at the Colchester v Fleetwood fixture on Saturday 15th March.
11/03/2025 BARCELONA v BENFICA (17.45) 11/03/2025 BAYER LEVERKUSEN v BAYERN MUNICH (20.00) 11/03/2025 INTER MILAN v FEYENOORD (20.00) 11/03/2025 LIVERPOOL v PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN (20.00) 12/03/2025 LILLE v BORUSSIA DORTMUND (19.45) 12/03/2025 ARSENAL v PSV EINDHOVEN (20.00) 12/03/2025 ASTON VILLA v CLUB BRUGGE (20.00) 12/03/2025 ATLETICO MADRID v REAL MADRID (20.00)
LUTON TOWN 1 PORTSMOUTH 0 Luton climbed off the bottom of the Championship as Jordan Clark's first-half strike earned them a victory that ended a 12-game winless run, and gave the manager his first win in his ninth game in charge. 3 got this spot-on, and one more had the outcome. 9 predicted this game to end 1-1, in what was equally the weeks most predicted score.
QUEENS PARK RANGERS 1 SHEFFIELD UNITED 2 United showed there was no lasting hangover from Monday's defeat at the hands of Championship pacesetters Leeds, as goals from Ben Brereton Diaz and Tyrese Campbell got them this win. A massive 9 had this spot-on, in what was the weeks other most predicted score, and a further 10 got the outcome.
BRISTOL ROVERS 2 ROTHERHAM UNITED 3 Sam Nombe scored a 92nd minute winner to secure Rotherham victory in this 5-goal thriller. Nobody got this spot-on, but 5 did have the outcome.
CRAWLEY TOWN 0 CAMBRIDGE UNITED 2 Goals from Elias Kachunga and Paul Digby lifted Cambridge off the bottom of the table, as both sides finished with 10 men. Nobody had this spot-on, and only Daniel and ghughes11 got the outcome.
CHELTENHAM TOWN 1 GRIMSBY TOWN 1 Grimsby went into the game after four wins from four in February, but needed an equaliser from Harvey Rodgers to get them a point. A magnificent 7 got this spot-on, and nobody had the outcome.
HARROGATE TOWN 2 ACCRINGTON STANLEY 1 Harrogate pulled 10 points clear of the League Two relegation zone courtesy of a win over their fellow strugglers. 4 had this spot-on, and another 12 got the outcome.
Probably the toughest 6 game week fixtures of the season so far, and they accordingly produced a mixed bag of results. Though the 2-1 win for Sheff. Utd. and the Cheltenham 1-1 helped to make it one of the best 6 game weeks for 3 pointers this season, with 23 in total. A tough week to predict, but no problem for burnsieespana, as he was the only one to get three 3 pointers, the wins for Luton and Harrogate and the Cheltenham 1-1, to make him the weeks top scorer with a brilliant 9 points. There were five members who did well to have two 3 pointers, with the best coming from blueeagle, who had the 2-1 wins for Sheff. Utd. and Harrogate, unitedwhites, who got the Sheff. Utd 2-1 and the Cheltenham 1-1, and Moor_Pinot, who had the wins for Luton and Sheff. Utd. They each also got one outcome, to give them all a decent 7 points. The others were bwildered, who had the wins for Sheff. Utd. and Harrogate, and Blue4U2, who got the wins for Luton and Sheff. Utd., to give them both a decent 6 points. Best of those to have one 3 pointer was Jorash63, who got the Cheltenham 1-1, and three outcomes, to give him a decent 6 points. The seasons 216 games have finished with 91 (42.13%) home wins, 68 (31.48%) away wins, and 57 (26.39%) draws. The top result remains the 1-1 with 33. After a slow start to the season the 1-0 is now second with 23, three ahead of the 2-0 and the 2-1. Best result for an away win is surprisingly the 0-2 with 17, one ahead of the 0-1, and two ahead of the 1-2.
U'sual Champions League Just a reminder for those who have yet to post their predictions, this competition starts on Tuesday 4th March, with a deadline 17.45.
In the Premier There is a new leader, as the decent week for blueeagle takes him back to the top after eight weeks away. But it is only on the most 3 pointer rule from mfb_cufc, who has to settle for the other Charity Shield spot. The rest of the top half remains unchanged. In the bottom half Sector4 moves up a place on the most 3 pointer rule from ghughes11. Only the Sheff. Utd. outcome for concordman, but he improves his chaces of avoiding the drop, as basher2010 fires a blank. Just when things were starting to look desperate for burnsieespana, his brillint top scoring performance has suddenly given him every chance of getting out of the bottom three, as he moves up a place, and leaves oxfcolu at the bottom for the first time this season.
In Division One Decent weeks for the top two, means bwildered maintains his 4 point lead over Jorash63, who in turn has a 5 point cushion over Tropical_Us, who moved up a place to third, but only on the most 3 pointer rule from noah4x4. Two outcomes were enough for Lewis_1 to remain fifth. Another decent week for Moor_Pinot moved him up a place into the final play-off spot, and his highest position since Week 1, but only on the most 3 pointer rule from durham_exile. The rest of the league remains unchanged, but the decent week for Blue4U2 moved him to within 2 points of the play-offs, and useful points for wessex_exile and BFG keeps them in contention.
THE TABLES (216 out of 280 played) (Tie-breaker: Most 3 pointers, and then the first to post)
Week 31 Fixtures 10 games picked by this weeks guest Jorash63. Don't forget it is an early start with the deadline 12.30.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST v MANCHESTER CITY (12.30) BRENTFORD v ASTON VILLA (17.30) SWANSEA CITY v MIDDLESBROUGH STOCKPORT COUNTY v CHARLTON ATHLETIC (12.30) BARNSLEY v BLACKPOOL BRISTOL ROVERS v HUDDERSFIELD TOWN AFC WIMBLEDON v NOTTS COUNTY (12.30) CHELTENHAM TOWN v COLCHESTER UNITED CHESTERFIELD v NEWPORT COUNTY SALFORD CITY v CREWE ALEXANDRA
This Saturday sees the confident Super U’s travel to Stadium MK to do battle with Scott Lindsey’s MK Dons.
They have 2 wins from their last 15 games whilst we are unbeaten for 8 games.
League placings - top Walsall 33 67 Bradford 33 60 Doncaster Rovers 33 58 Wimbledon 32 57 Notts Co 32 57 PV 31 55 Crewe 33 52 Grimsby 32 51 Salford 32 48 Bromley 33 45 Cheltenham 32 45 Fleetwood 33 44 COL U 32 43 Chesterfield 31 42
MK Dons 32 39
Now as I mentioned the other week we are well and truly safe from Relegation after some inspired performances and results but if we are serious about a top seven finish then we must start to turn draws into victories.
DC can now afford to be adventurous with his team selections.
MK Dons with Alex Gilbey in their ranks are desperate for a victory and Lindsey has piled the pressure on them by insisting on a win against Colchester on Saturday.
This is just the game that we need after some tough fixtures against the promotion hopefuls. We will have more than 1,000 of the faithful present on Saturday afternoon and if we are to “put on a show” as the faithful often sing then three points at Stadium MK is a must and certainly possible.
Three points are the only game in town essentially if we are to close the gap. I think that Crewe are vulnerable in seventh place and I think we can not only close the gap but also take over that position. 14 games to play and 29 more points required to reach the magical 72 mark which will secure seventh position.
MK Dons Away Chesterfield Home Cheltenham Away PV Home Fleetwood Home Bradford Away Grimsby Home Gillingham Away Notts Co Home Newport Away Crewe Home Doncaster Away Salford Away Barrow Home
Now we may need to win 9 of these 14 games but it is possible. Doncaster Rovers almost pulled off the impossible last year and our task is not as great.
DC is safe from relegation so let’s see some expansive football and plenty of opportunity to take the game to the opposition.
Tomorrow we have to play without Owura Edwards and possibly Teddy Bishop but we have JK Gordon and Arthur Read waiting in the wings together with arguably the best striker in Samson Tovide who wants to play and score more goals.
Lyle Taylor has had a couple of lean weeks in front of goal and is due a goal or two.
We have KVY back in the fold and looking imperious coming off the bench. Antony Scully is maybe a fortnight away from first team action and then youngsters Kyreece Lisbie and ken Aboh are primed and ready to go.
Tyreece Simpson is also available so there is no shortage of strikers to score some vital goals.
So, let’s go for the following starting XI tomorrow:
With 14 games to play and safety already assured I want to see bold, adventurous football. No fear, a degree of respect yes but any team is beatable in this league. The players and DC are talking about setting targets and there is only one that matters, the seventh place in the league. Until it is mathematically impossible we must believe that we can achieve it and the team is good enough to secure those points.
Weather in Milton Keynes on St David’s Day will be 9 degrees Celsius, sunny, no rain and no breeze, in fact ideal for football.
With more than 1,000 of the faithful there will be no shortage of support for the U’s. Safe journey to those travelling and enjoy the game and more importantly the three points. 14 cup finals, 29 points required. Come on the U’s.
Score prediction MK Dons 1 Colchester United 3 (Tovide, Taylor and Payne).
Roar them to victory in darkest Buckinghamshire. Up the U’s
Over 1,000 tickets already sold, and there's still two days to go, and presumably pay on the day for anyone who decides last minute to travel. That must be our largest away travelling this season, or am I forgetting anything? Much as I hate giving that scummy bunch any of my hard-earned, I'll be there.
We love our former U's, well most of them anyway, so thought I'd start a thread where we can keep up with them.
Thought I'd kick things off with a happier moment for Matt Jay in Essex as he scored a long ranger against Chelmsford at the weekend. It wasn't a joyous return though as Torquay shipped two late goals to lose 3-2 after leading 2-0.
Jay also got the equaliser away at Weston-super-Mare last night. Hopefully he's starting to enjoy his football again.
Just read the latest post on there relating to the signing of Kaffour.
There are several spelling errors that include that of a country name.
I am sure l make spelling and grammatical errors of my own on here but l do know how to spell the name of a country that is featured in the daily news.
Let's hope the club read this and correct the piece.
Qualifiers The current holder blueeagle qualifies automatically. The other 11 are the top points scorers over the two divisions after Week 22. They are:- mfb_cufc, Daniel, thrillseeker, bwildered, basher2010, noah4x4, Tropical_Us, Jorash63, Lewis_1, unitedwhites and Sector4.
Round of 16 This will be four groups, with three members in each, and after predicting all 16 fixtures, the top two qualify for the Quarter-finals. Groups have traditionally been decided by using a random number generator, and I have gone along with that, by repeating the one used last year. The rankings in brackets after holder blueeagle is based on points tally at the time of qualification.
All predictions are the result at the end of normal time, extra-time and/or penalties will not count. If any members are level on points after the 16 fixtures, the tie-break rule will apply. There will be no first-to-post tie-break deciders, only most spot-ons. If they are still level, then a further tie-break will apply by predicting the attendance at the Colchester v Fleetwood game on Saturday 15th March.
Quarter-finals To be played on 8/9 & 15/16 April. The Group qualifiers will then form two more Groups of 4, and predict all of the Quarter-final matches. Groups will be comprised as follows: Group A Winner A, Runner-Up B, Winner C, Runner-up D Group B Runner-up A Winner B, Runner-up C, Winner D. Top two from each group qualify for the Semi-finals. As in the Ro16 there will be no first-to-post tie-break deciders, only most spot-ons. A further tie-break, if required, to be decided.
Semi-finals To be played on 29/30 April & 6/7 May. These will be the Winner A v Runner-up B, and Winner B v Runner-up A. Prerdicting the Semi-final matches, plus one goalscorer from each of those games.
Final To be played on Saturday 31 May. The finalist will predict the Champions League Final, including predicting different aspects of the game, not just the score.
Tie-break rules for the Semi-final and Final will be announced in due course.
Round of 16 1st leg Fixtures No more than four predictions the same as fellow group members, and all fixtures to be predicted at the same time please.
04/03/2025 CLUB BRUGGE v ASTON VILLA (17.45) 04/03/2025 BORUSSIA DORTMUND v LILLE (20.00) 04/03/2025 PSV EINDHOVEN v ARSENAL (20.00) 04/03/2025 REAL MADRID v ATLETICO MADRID (20.00) 05/03/2025 FEYENOORD v INTER MILAN (17.45) 05/03/2025 BAYERN MUNICH v BAYER LEVERKUSEN (20.00) 05/03/2025 BENFICA v BARCELONA (20.00) 05/03/2025 PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN v LIVERPOOL (20.00)
Good luck everybody.
It is a quick turn around with the 2nd legs the following week. I hope to have details of those fixtures on Thursday 6th March.
ARSENAL 0 WEST HAM UNITED 1 Jarrod Bowen got the winner as West Ham ended a four-match winless run against 10-man Arsenal. No points for anyone from this game, as everynoe predicted a win for Arsenal.
IPSWICH TOWN 1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 4 Brennan Johnson scored twice as Spurs continued their upturn in form with this victory. Nobody had this spot-on, but 18 did get the outcome.
COVENTRY CITY 2 PRESTON NORTH END 1 Coventry ended their 22-match winless run against bogey team Preston, with first-half headers from Jack Rudoni and Bobby Thomas. A ginormous 15 got this spot-on, in what was the weeks most predicted score, and a further 6 had the outcome.
BOLTON WANDERERS 2 LEYTON ORIENT 1 Aaron Morley netted a second-half penalty winner as Bolton came from behind to beat their fellow play-off chasers, who lost for only the second time in 16 games. A massive 9 had this spot-on, and another 6 got the outcome.
LINCOLN CITY 0 BURTON ALBION 1 Charlie Webster scored his second goal in as many games as he boosted Burton's survival hopes with a dramatic 92nd minute winner, with their only shot on target. No points for anyone from this game, as 23 predicted a win for Lincoln.
SWINDON TOWN 1 CHESTERFIELD 0 Kabongo Tshimanga scored a second-half penalty winner against his former side, as Swindon returned to winning ways. Nobody had this spot-on, though 9 did get the outcome.
Another week where "good things" didn't turn out to be that good, with the 1-0 defeats for Arsenal and Lincoln failing to produce a point from their games, and with four games overall not having a 3 pointer, it was left to the 2-1 wins for Coventry and Bolton to save the week. It was saved in a big way as those wins achieved an incredible 24 spot-ons between them. There were six members who had those two 3 pointers, with the best coming from blueeagle, who also got the Spurs and Swindon outcomes, to make him the weeks top scorer with an excellent 8 points. The others were RSCOSWORTH, ghughes11, concordman and Moor_Pinot, who each also had one outcome, to give them all a very decent 7 points. Finally burnsieespana, who got a decent 6 points. Best of those to have one outcome was mfb_cufc, who got the Bolton 2-1 and three outcomes to give him a useful 6 points.
U'sual Champions League Details for the Round Of 16 will be on the separate U'sual Champions League thread tomorrow (Sunday).
In the Premier The useful 6 points for mfb_cufc keeps him top for the eighth week running, but the top scoring performance from blueeagle has cut his lead by 2 points. A solid week for thrillseeker, that included having the Coventry 2-1 spot-on, keeps him third. A second disappointing week in a row for unitedwhites, has now made it difficult for him to break into the top two, but he remains fourth. A solid week for Daniel, who also had the Coventry 2-1 spot-on, keeps him fifth. The decent week for RSCOSWORTH enables him to continue leading the group of seven threatened by relegation. It is all change underneath him, as the decent week for ghughes11 moved him up two places to seventh. His highest position since Week 8. Despite getting the Coventry 2-1 spot-on, Sector4 drops a place to eighth. His lowest position since Week 10. The decent week for concordman moves him up a place, and out of the bottom three again. This means having the Coventry 2-1 spot-on was not enough to stop basher2010 dropping into the relegation zone for the first time this season. A good four outcomes for oxfcolu, and a decent week for burnsieespana, still leaves them both with a lot to do in avoiding the drop.
In Division One Just the Spurs outcome for bwildered, as he takes his run at the top to five weeks. But his lead was cut in half by Jorash63, whose solid week included getting the Bolton 2-1 spot-on. Having the Coventry 2-1 spot-on keeps noah4x4 just a point further back in third. A solid week also for Tropical_Us, after he had the Bolton 2-1 spot-on, moved him up a place to fourth. Despite getting the Coventry 2-1 spot-on, Lewis_1 drops a place to fifth. Another to have the Coventry 2-1 spot-on was durham_exile, and he remains in the final play-off place. The decent week for Moor_Pinot moves him up three places to seventh, and within four points of the play-offs. Just a point further back, and only separated by the tie-break rules, are Blue4U2, wessex-exile and BFG, in what continues to be a very competitive league.
THE TABLES (210 out of 280 played) (Tie-breaker: Most 3 pointers, and then the first to post)
Week 30 Fixtures
LUTON TOWN v PORTSMOUTH QUEENS PARK RANGERS v SHEFFIELD UNITED BRISTOL ROVERS v ROTHERHAM UNITED CRAWLEY TOWN v CAMBRIDGE UNITED CHELTENHAM TOWN v GRIMSBY TOWN HARROGATE TOWN v ACCRINGTON STANLEY
Colchester weather on Saturday will be 12 degrees Celsius, breezy and 77% precipitation. None of which is good news for the surface of the pitch. At home it will be dry and 10 degrees but breezy.
15 games to play and we are probably looking at 30 more points to secure a top seven position. 10 more victories or equivalent will garner 72 points which should be enough.
Wimbledon H MK Dons A Chesterfield H Cheltenham A PV H Fleetwood H Bradford A Grimsby H Gillingham A Notts Co H Newport A Crewe H Doncaster A Salford A Barrow H
Johnny Jackson brings his Dons to the JCS having already lost in the Vertu Motors trophy after defeating us 4-2 on the opening game of the season.
It will be like an old boys reunion with Owen Goodman, Riley Harbottle, John Joe O’Toole and Alastair Smith in the Wimbledon ranks. They will also have about 1200 supporters to swell a likely 6,000 crowd.
Two tough games on the road elicited two draws but we should have had more at both Carlisle and at Notts County.
DC needs to show more adventure in his line ups. I agree with the first 7 players. Macey, Egbo, Kells, Flanagan, Iandolo and McDonnell and Bishop.
I also agree with Payne and Edwards but whilst DC loves Anderson I would like to see Thorn or Gordon. In fairness Thorn is probably injured and Samson Tovide is still two weeks away from a welcome return.
Then we have the thorny issue (no pun intended) of Simpson and Taylor. Simpson started against Notts County and should have scored twice in the first half but fluffed his lines he then scored the equaliser by being in the right place at the right time. He certainly worked hard and just when I thought DC would keep him on when Taylor arrived he was withdrawn.
Whether DC likes it or not when Samson is fit he must play two up top. Whether that is Taylor and Tovide or Simpson and Tovide or Taylor remains to be seen.
Of course, we may have Anthony Scully available and Kyreece Lisbie or Ken Aboh all of whom should be considered.
So, DC will likely start with:
Macey
Egbo Kells Flanagan Iandolo
McDonnell Bishop
Anderson Payne Edwards
Simpson
Subs; Smith, KVY, Aboh, Read, Gordon, Tucker, Taylor
We owe Wimbledon after the opening day and I expect to see a 3-1 home victory with Taylor on the scoresheet and possibly Simpson and Jack Payne (long overdue free kick).
Enjoy the game. A decent crowd and three more home points.
The matches are coming thick and fast with Meadow Lane and Notts County on the agenda tonight.
I am staying at home and watching on Sky Sports + but safe journeys for the all the travelling faithful.
261 on Saturday for the Carlisle trip was epic and it was a shame that Lyle Taylor couldn’t take his two presentable chances. I suppose goalkeepers prevailed but certainly the second half chance with Breeze managed to steer over the bar was really one that should have been buried. Anderson then had a superb opportunity but failed to register a shot.
Sparky’s first home game was always going to be a tough encounter but we had enough on the field to have prevailed.
Now after the draw on Saturday (a game that perhaps last season we might have lost) a number of the faithful have cooled to the idea of a top seven finish.
I predicted top seven at the start of the season and have seen nothing to suggest that Colchester cannot achieve that finish.
However, DC must be more ambitious with his substitutions to give fresh legs earlier in the second half and a tad more pace up top when LT is either tiring or being substituted.
Tyreece Simpson is definitely not the answer though. I was excited when he signed on loan and when I saw his debut at Harrogate but he showed nothing then and on Saturday his 17-minute cameo was absolutely hopeless. For a big powerfully built footballer he lacks pace and the ability to hold the ball up or to tackle where it counts. Worse he gives the impression that he doesn’t know where the goal is.
Now we have strengthened the squad in the January window and I would like to see Aboh given some minutes tonight. He will be pacy and keen and certainly better than Simpson.
Anderson played the full 97 minutes on Saturday and It think it is time for him to be dropped in favour of Gordon or Thorn (although where is Oscar Thorn).
Notts County will offer a stiff challenge under Stuart Maynard. They will be smarting after their narrow defeat to PV last week.
I think that the U’s know they should have done better on Saturday and I expect to see an inspired performance and a 3-1 Super U’s win tonight. That will set things up nicely for the Wombles on Saturday.
Weather tonight 3 degrees Celsius with a clear sky and light winds.
PRESTON NORTH END 0 WYCOMBE WANDERERS 0 AET Preston won 4-2 on penalties
SOUTHAMPTON 0 BURNLEY 1
WIGAN ATHLETIC 1 FULHAM 2
BIRMINGHAM CITY 2 NEWCASTLE UNITED 3
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 2 CHELSEA 1
BLACKBURN ROVERS 0 WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 2
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 1 LIVERPOOL 0
ASTON VILLA 2 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1
Final scores
noah4x4 11 Daniel 4 Comfortable win for noah4x4 after getting the wins for Burnley and Wolves spot-on, and five outcomes. Four outcomes for Daniel in reply.
mfb_cufc 14 thrillseeker 7 mfb_cufc goes through to the Final after having the wins for Burnley, Brighton and Villa spot-on, and five outcomes. The Villa 2-1 spot-on, and four outcomes for thrillseeker.
Premier v Division One in the Final, mfb_cufc v noah4x4
As in previous rounds there will be a replay for a drawn game, but this time there will be further replays until there is a winner, so the tie-breaker rules will never apply.
The Final Fixtures 10 matches made up of the eight FA Cup 5th Round ties, over four days, and two games from the League. There are no replays for the FA Cup matches so they will be settled on the 90 minute result. Extra time does not count. No more than four predictions the same as your opponent please.
ASTON VILLA v CARDIFF CITY (Fri 20.00) CRYSTAL PALACE v MILLWALL (Sat 12.15) PRESTON NORTH END v BURNLEY (Sat 12.15) AFC BOURNEMOUTH v WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (Sat 15.00) MANCHESTER CITY v PLYMOUTH ARGYLE (Sat 17.45) NEWCASTLE UNITED v BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION (Sun 13.45) MANCHESTER UNITED v FULHAM (Sun 16.30) NOTTINGHAM FOREST v IPSWICH TOWN (Mon 19.30)
Two from the League BIRMINGHAM CITY v WYCOMBE WANDERERS (Sat 12.30) LUTON TOWN v PORTSMOUTH (Sat 15.00)
Good luck noah4x4
There will be an update after each days fixtures.
If a replay is required it will be 10 games from the Saturday 8th March fixtures. Any further replays will be on each of the following Saturday's fixtures until there is a winner.
Since our draw at Barrow back in early November we've played 17 league games, with seven victories, eight draws and just two defeats. That's an average points per game of just under 1.71 points. If we maintain this form over the remaining 16 games, we'll finish on about 68-69 points, and almost certainly not quite enough for the play-offs.
This time last season (i.e. Match #30 or thereabouts) the fourth team in the play-offs (Harrogate Town) were on 47 points. This season, it's Crewe Alexandra on 49 points, so two points better. At the end of last season, Crawley took the last play-off place on 70 points, so reasonable to assume this season the target is probably going to be 72-73 points.
So, we'd be 3-4 points short, unless of course we can turn at least two more draws into victories - certainly not impossible (but for a goalkeeping worldy yesterday we could have won that one for sure). We do, however, have some tricky games to come, but it's definitely doable. For context, the last sixteen games of last season included games against six of the top seven sides, albeit we only averaged a point per game in the run in.
Incidentally, we're only four points short of equally our entire points total for 2023/24.
ASTON VILLA 1 IPSWICH TOWN 1 Struggling Ipswich produced a battling performance to hold Villa to a draw, despite playing nearly an hour with 10 men. Nobody got this spot-on, and only BFG had the outcome. 22 predicted a win for Villa.
OXFORD UNITED 0 PORTSMOUTH 2 Portsmouth ended their 12-match winless run away from home, as Oxford only have one shot on target. Nobody had this spot-on, but 4 did get the outcome.
STOKE CITY 3 SWANSEA CITY 1 Stoke came from behind to beat their fellow strugglers, with Lewis Baker scoring from his own half to put a gloss on the victory. Another game with no 3 pointer, though 15 did have the outcome.
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 0 WREXHAM 2 Wrexham maintained the pressure on the League One leaders, as they eased to victory, with Northampton failing to have a shot on target. 4 had this spot-on, and a further 19 got the outcome, with 12 going for a 2-1 in what was the weeks most predicted score.
BARNSLEY 1 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 2 Huddersfield came from behind to boost their play-off hopes with a Yorkshire derby win. A sublime 5 got this spot-on, and another 2 had the outcome.
STEVENAGE 1 PETERBOROUGH UNITED 1 Peterborough had lost 10 of their last 11 games away from home, and not won in 12, but they rescued a point thanks to Cian Hayes' goal. 3 had this spot-on, and one more got the outcome.
WIGAN ATHLETIC 0 STOCKPORT COUNTY 2 Two goals in the space of three minutes in the final quarter saw Stockport cement their League One play-off credentials with this victory. Only 2 got this spot-on, and a further 12 had the outcome.
AFC WIMBLEDON 1 SALFORD CITY 0 Matty Stevens scored his 16th league goal of the season as Wimbledon moved into second place in the table with victory over their promotion rivals. A great 8 had this spot-on, and another 11 got the outcome.
CARLISLE UNITED 0 COLCHESTER UNITED 0 Mark Hughes' first home game in charge of bottom side Carlisle ended in a bore draw. Well done to Moor_Pinot for being the only one to get this spot-on, and only Sector4 and wessex_exile had the outcome. 20 predicted a win for Colchester.
TRANMERE ROVERS 1 MILTON KEYNES DONS 1 A penalty from ex-U's Luke Norris salvaged a draw for Tranmere, as they extended their winless run to eight games, and MK Dons avoided a fifth straight loss on the road. Well done to bwildered for being the only one to have this spot-on, and 3 more got the outcome.
It was a promising start to the week after the wins for Wrexham and Wimbledon in the early kick-off fixtures achieved 12 spot-ons, and 30 outcomes, but that was about as good as it got, as the other seven games failed to reach those heights. Though a goal more or a goal less for Villa, Stoke, Stevanage, Stockport, Colchester and MK Dons in those 3 o'clock kick-offs could have made a big difference. Well, at least for me anyway. In the end there was a total of 24 spot-ons, that produced a number of good weeks for members, especially Lewis_1, who did well to be the only one have three 3 pointers, the wins for Wrexham, Huddersfield and Wimbledon, and three outcomes, to make him the weeks top scorer, with a brilliant 12 points. There were seven members who had two 3 pointers, with the best coming from bwildered, who had the draws at Stevenage and Tranmere, and four outcomes, to give him a superb 10 points. The best of the others were mfb_cufc, who got the wins for Huddersfield and Wimbledon, BFG, who had the wins for Wrexham and Wimbledon, and Blue4U2, who got the Huddersfield 2-1 and the Stevenage 1-1. They each also had three outcomes, to give them all an excellent 9 points. The other three were ghughes11 and Jorash63, who both had the wins for Stockport and Wimbledon, and blueeagle, who got the Wrexham 2-0 and the Stevenage 1-1. They each also had two outcomes, to give them all a very decent 8 points. Best of those to get one 3 pointer was thrillseeker, who had the Wimbledon 1-0 and a good five outcomes, to also give him a very decent 8 points.
Happy Cup Details for the Final will be on a separate Happy Cup thread on Monday 17th February.
The U'sual Champions League The draw for the Round Of 16 takes place on Friday 21st February, and the first fixtures take place on Tuesday 4th March. All the details for this competition will be on the separate U'sual Champions League thread on Sunday 23rd February.
In the Premier After decent weeks for the top two, it is mfb_cufc who increased his lead by a point, thanks to getting one more outcome than blueeagle. A decent week also for thrillseeker, that moved him up a place, and back to third. Two outcomes for unitedwhites brings an end to his recent fantastic run, and he drops to fourth. A solid week for Daniel, that included having the Wimbledon 1-0 spot-on, and he remains fifth. A solid week for RSCOSWORTH, who also got the Wimbledon 1-0 spot-on, moves him up a place, and back into the top half for the first time since Week 17. Even though he has made it back to the top six, he still remains one of the seven fighting to avoid the drop. Three outcomes for Sector4 drops him back into the bottom half again. After just the one outcome, basher2010 suddenly finds himself embroiled in the relegation scrap, after being no lower than third in the first 14 weeks of the season. The decent week for ghughes11 keeps him of the bottom three for the second week running. A decent week for concordman that included getting the Huddersfield 2-1 spot-on, continues to give him every chance of escaping. A 3 pointer each for oxfcolu, the Huddersfield 2-1, and burnsieespana, the Wrexham 2-0, but they are starting to get a little bit adrift. as we approach the final quarter of the season.
In Division One After 27 weeks when the lead was changing almost on a weekly basis, could this be the defining week of the season, as the superb week for bwildered has suddenly stretched his lead to a healthy 8 points. That is from Jorash63, whose decent week moved him up a couple of places, and into the other automatic spot for the first time this season. Four outcomes for noah4x4 leaves him a point behind in third. The top scoring performance from Lewis_1 moves him up a couple of places to fourth. Four outcomes each for Tropical_Us and durham_exile, and they take up the final two play-off places in fifth and sixth. Excellent weeks for BFG and Blue4U2, moved them both up a couple of places, and well in sight of the play-offs, in seventh and eighth. Three outcomes for wessex_exile, and a decent week for Moor_Pinot with that Carlisle bore draw, keeps them both in contention for the top six as well.
THE TABLES (204 out of 280 played) (Tie-breaker: Most 3 pointers, and then the first to post)
Week 29 Fixtures
ARSENAL v WEST HAM UNITED IPSWICH TOWN v TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR COVENTRY CITY v PRESTON NORTH END BOLTON WANDERERS v LEYTON ORIENT LINCOLN CITY v BURTON ALBION SWINDON TOWN v CHESTERFIELD
I watch most games not on Sky on IFollow This morning I paid my 11€ 2.30 tried to get on but every match centre I went to even though I was logged in and VPN off (I’m in Portugal) showed instead of watch video , buy video pass . Tried on phone iPad and laptop even wife’s phone no joy. Any ideas
Today sees the rejuvenated Super U’s heading north to Carlisle for another vital League Two game.
After last week’s hard won, but deservedly so game against Walsall DC’s charges do battle with Mark Hughes for his first home game in charge of the Cumbrians. Sparky has overseen two narrow away defeats to Grimsby and Newport County over the past few days and will now know the extent of his task to keep them in the league (without Jimmy Glass).
DC was at Rodney Parade on Tuesday night and will have seen a fairly even contest decided by a single goal in favour of the Exiles. Hughes has already marked his home matches for salvation for the Cumbrians but has not marked today’s fixture as a must win. However, he will be looking to stamp his authority on the club and start to pick up home points.
By contrast it is true to say that Colchester have now banished any thoughts of relegation battles this season with 40 points already on the board and are now looking upwards instead to one of the top seven play-off positions.
I watched the PV v Notts Co clash on Sky the other evening and a dour game it was decided in the 85th minute. The Magpies deserved a point but poor finishing ultimately cost them. We of course play both teams very soon.
The stability and momentum within our club at the moment is firmly down to the Cowleys who have stuck to their principles and have overcome much of the negativity that pervaded the club (and many of the supporters).
17 cup finals remain to secure 34 points which will surely lead to a top seven position. Now no complacency can exist, this is a challenging set of fixtures, but it is more than possible.
HOME Wimbledon Chesterfield PV Fleetwood Grimsby Notts Co Crewe Barrow
At present DC has the luxury of a settled starting XI. We all have our own ideas about who should start but ultimately it is DC who determines not only the starting XI but also the skill of selecting the substitutes which can turn a game in our favour. I would imagine that DC will start at Brunton Park as follows:
Matt Macey is turning into one of our most successful goalkeepers with records of clean sheets mounting weekly. Kells tackle against Walsall reminded me of Pat (Rio) Baldwin in his heyday. McDonell and Bishop are surely on song in the centre of midfield whilst Payne is the puppeteer controlling the set plays and defence splitting passes.
Owura Edwards is becoming the player that many of us saw in glimpses first time round whilst Lyle Taylor, experienced, articulate and a leader on and off the field is the centre forward that I wish we had had about 5 or 6 years ago. He can possibly be the first player since JC to net 20 goals for the U’s in a single season.
But for the run in we need Samson Tovide back and rekindling the partnership with LT.DC will also have Simpson, Lisbie, Aboh, Gordon and Thorn to choose from when fresh legs are required in those forthcoming vital games.
Carlisle weather today will be dry, 5 degrees Celsius with a gentle breeze. Contrast that with our weather at home which is a measly 1 degree Celsius and predominantly dry after a misty start.
For the travelling faithful both the M62 and A66 trans Pennine routes are open. Safe journey to all. One of my shorter journeys today just 55 miles. I have also persuaded my eldest son and my granddaughter to come to the game.
Over the years I have been to Carlisle on many occasions since about1981. Seasoned Col U faithful supporters will remember the 2009 2-0 win when Lambert was at the helm and we controlled the game from start to finish. Equally the 2013 must win last game of the season when we also triumphed 2-0 to seal our league status. Not that it has always been plain sailing. A 4-0 humbling in 2018 just before Christmas was difficult to take and the journey home was via the A69 and A1 after the snow gates were closed on the A66.
Today is all about remaining focussed and concentrating on securing the three points. I believe that we can win 2-0 and Lyle Taylor and Owura Edwards to score the goals.
…gets off the mark with the second goal for that lot down the road in a 3-1 victory over Halifax. Ben Goodliffe got an assist for their first goal as well. Despite who it’s for, I’m genuinely pleased for them both, and particularly Tom, who was already starting to get flak from a few of their supporters.
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