Welcome everyone, it's time. Well, almost.
A quick run through of the rules -
Predictions
must be made in this thread only. Any predictions posted anywhere else on the forum will not be counted. If you know you will be absent for a round you may send them to me via a pm to post on your behalf but please remember it remains your own responsibility to have your lists posted in
this thread.
Basic scoring remains the same - 3 points for a correct score, 1 point for a correct result. For example Newcastle draw 1-1 with Leicester. Those who predicted 1-1 get 3 points, those who said any other draw get 1 point.
Jokers are again permitted in each round, one per player. It is a correct score doubled, meaning 6 points. Applies to correct scores only, correct result still only gets 1 point. For example Newcastle draw 2-2 with Leicester. To get the six points, you must have predicted 2-2 and labelled it your joker. Please indicate clearly which match you are playing a joker, preferably with a "J" or the word "Joker" at the end of the fixture.
There will again be two rounds during the season where "Jokers Are Wild". Jokers Wild means a correct score is tripled, meaning 9 points. I decided to stick with two wild jokers, I don't believe having any more than 2 is necessary. In my opinion there are plenty of scoring opportunities without overloading the competition with too many bonuses. I promise the two JW rounds will be sufficiently spaced apart, ideally with one in the first half of the season and one towards the end. I will tell you when Jokers are Wild.
No deadlines, so no penalties for missing the first match in a round. You may still join in and play any remaining matches and I will record your scores from whichever matches you are in time for. I will always try to post and send reminders to give everyone a fair chance of competing. However, remember that ultimately it is each player's own responsibility to make sure they are on time and that their list has everything included. Lists with missing ingredients significantly reduce your involvement in the competition.
In the (hopefully) unlikely event of postponed matches, those predictions will be void and the match will be predicted upon again whenever it reappears in the season. If anyone has a joker lost because of a postponement, they will be granted two jokers in the round where the match reappears. I will be keeping a log of any postponed jokers and I promise that jokers will not be wild in a rearranged round. Rest assured though that everyone will have the chance to use all of their jokers. Of course I really hope this rule is not needed and hope scheduling is kinder this year.
Tables will be posted following completion of a round. It may still be necessary to occasionally post two rounds in one post if I'm short of time between them. This would usually happen during busy times in the season, for example at Christmas, but scheduling last season showed it may be necessary at other times. Tied points positions will be separated in the following order - correct scores, correct results, correct jokers. This will continue for the entire season and if there are still ties after the final day, we'll just call it a draw.
I won't be playing scores myself, I am happy to just host the game. I think that is sufficient involvement from myself and I would like to see as many people as possible taking part. Any member of this forum, male or female, is welcome to play. Also please feel free to discuss the competition in the chat / discussion thread and please ask me if anything is unclear.
Week 1 Fixtures
Ok, I think that's everything. Have a look at this first round - you'll see you have plenty of time as the first match kicks off on Friday 16th August, just over two weeks away. Our first stop will be at Old Trafford with Manchester United hosting Fulham. Take your time and please check your lists and make sure it's all there before hitting that post button.
Off we go then and good luck!
Friday 16th August
Manchester United v Fulham 2000
Saturday 17th August
Ipswich Town v Liverpool 1230
Arsenal v Wolves 1500
Everton v Brighton 1500
Newcastle v Southampton 1500
Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth 1500
West Ham Utd v Aston Villa 1730
Sunday 18th August
Brentford v Crystal Palace 1400
Chelsea v Manchester City 1630
Monday 19th August
Leicester v Tottenham 2000