Premier League 2023 / 2024 Prediction Competition

1. Scoring: 3 points for a correct score (the exact full time score); 1 point for a correct result (the same result but not the same score). For example, Arsenal v Aston Villa finishes in a 1-1 draw. Only those who predicted 1-1 will receive three points. Anyone who predicted any other draw gets one point.

2a. Joker: A bonus where a correct score is doubled, making 6 points. This applies only to correct scores. For example Brentford v Brighton finishes 2-1. To get the 6 points I must have predicted 2-1 and labelled it my joker. If I said any other home win I'd only receive 1 point. Every player receives one joker per game week. Please indicate clearly on which match you are playing it, preferably with the word JOKER or a ' J ' after the match.

2b. Jokers Wild: This is a new feature I'm testing. It is a correct score tripled for 9 points and will be used only twice in a season. I will indicate the two rounds where this is in effect and I promise that the two said rounds will be sufficiently spaced apart. Ideally it will be one around November and the other around April. I'm not sure how effective this will be but keep your eyes open for when "Jokers are Wild".

3. Postponements: All predictions on postponed matches will be void and the matches will be predicted upon again whenever they re-appear in the season. Anyone who had a joker on a postponed match and wasn't able to change it to another match will receive an extra joker in the round where it appears. I will keep a log of all recipients of an extra joker and nobody will be permitted more than two jokers in one round. If there's lots of postponed matches and lost jokers to reschedule, I will use a method from previous seasons of moving some fixtures to the next round. Rest assured though, everyone will have the opportunity to play their jokers. I will also make sure that Jokers Wild is not used in a round containing rearranged matches. I'll be hoping that the postponements rule is not needed though.

4. Fixtures: All gameweeks will be posted in the same order as they appear on the official Premier League website, unless postponements make it necessary to move matches (see above). I will always endeavour to post one week per post. However, it may become occasionally necessary to post two in one post. This would normally happen during busy periods when there is a shortage of time between rounds, for example at Christmas. I will never post more than two gameweeks in one round. All predictions MUST be posted in this thread only. Any predictions posted anywhere else on the forum, including the chat thread, will NOT be counted.

5. Results & Tables: I will endeavour to post a full set of full time scores in alphabetical order, a brief summary and an updated table following completion of every round. It may become necessary to post it after two rounds if I'm short of time between them. This will always only be done to allow you as much time as possible to work on a fixture list. Throughout the season and up to the end of it, tied points positions will be decided in the following order: correct scores, correct results, correct jokers, correct jokers wild. If at the end there is still a multiple player tie, we'll just call it a draw.

6. Check your lists!: Remember that it is each player's own responsibility to make sure that nothing is missing from your predictions. This means making sure that all matches are listed, all jokers are played and there are no missing numbers from any of your scores. As long as the lists are submitted here I will record whatever you have posted, but you are doing yourselves out of points and lessening your participation in the game if your list has missing ingredients. I will try to post reminders before the first kick-off but please check your lists for mistakes before hitting the post button.

7. Deadlines: You may be pleased to hear that I am waiving the deadlines for this season. I have never liked placing too many restrictions on the game and I feel comfortable with returning to the method of recording scores from whichever matches you are in time for. Again though, please try to post your scores before the first kick off as you are hurting yourselves with missing matches. Nobody will be disqualified though for missing the first kick-off. If it helps you may submit a PM to me with your list if you know you will be away for a round, but please always try to post your own lists in time. I'm trying this for this season but if scheduling becomes a problem I may need to reinstate deadlines for future seasons.

8. Final notes: I want to have a go at the predictions myself this season but as host of the competition I'm merely testing my abilities and will not allow myself to win it. I will be keeping my own scores separate from the table as a marker. I thought that winning my own tournament might be rubbing salt in the wounds.

Seriously though, I fully appreciate the opportunity to remain as your prediction thread host and am very grateful for everyone's support.