Sports Predictions Competition 2024

[sportsmeister]

Details of the Cup Quarter Final

Category is number of points scored in the E v SA rugby union international on Saturday

Selections are

Code: Select all

Quarter Final - Points scored in the England vs South Africa autumn international (NAnswer
       Name             FISO Name          Match        Prediction      Difference      Result        Winner
John A                 Not on FISO           1              49
Mike L                 Not on FISO           1              37
Dave Ga                Not on FISO           2              45
Andy S                 Not on FISO           2              34
Chris W                Not on FISO           3              36
Paul McG               Not on FISO           3              44
Ian G                  Not on FISO           4              42
Thursday C             Not on FISO           4              47

A blistering first 30 minutes with 5 tries meant the final answer was likely to be at the higher end of the range.

The final scoreline was 29-20 to South Africa which resolved all 4 ties at the first attempt

Code: Select all

Quarter Final - Points scored in the England vs South Africa autumn international (November 16th) Answer 49
       Name             FISO Name          Match        Prediction      Difference      Result        Winner
John A                 Not on FISO           1              49              0            WIN          John A
Mike L                 Not on FISO           1              37              12           LOSS
Dave Ga                Not on FISO           2              45              4            WIN          Dave Ga
Andy S                 Not on FISO           2              34              15           LOSS
Chris W                Not on FISO           3              36              13           LOSS
Paul McG               Not on FISO           3              44              5            WIN         Paul McG
Ian G                  Not on FISO           4              42              7            LOSS
Thursday C             Not on FISO           4              47              2            WIN        Thursday C

[sportsmeister]

Event 25 - Which nation will the winner of the Grand Slam of Darts represent?

Options and number of selections

England - 47
Scotland - 0
Wales - 1**
Rest of Europe - 5*

* would be worth an additional 1 bonus point
** would be worth an additional 2 bonus points

The top 3 seeds were eliminated at the group stage leaving the QF line-up as follows


E25QF.PNG


England with 3 representatives including hot favourite Luke Littler
Scotland with 2 options
Rest of Europe with 3 options

Wales were eliminated before the tournament began with no players qualifying

Luke Littler dominated the knockout stages with a 16-2 win (average 105.11) in the quarter finals before Gary Anderson pushed him to a final leg in the semi finals, 16-15 (average 103.81)

The final was very one sided with Littler beating fellow Englishman, Martin Lukeman, 16-3 (average 107.08)

There were a massive 47 picks for England to be the winning nationality earning a further 2 points each

[sportsmeister]

Event 26 - Which country will win the Davis Cup?

Options and number of selections

Spain - 14
Italy - 12
Australia - 9
USA - 7
Croatia - 3*
Canada - 3*
Serbia - 2*
France - 1**
Germany - 1**
Czech Republic - 1**

* would be worth an additional 1 bonus point
** would be worth an additional 2 bonus points

The qualifying round has now been completed and Serbia and Croatia were both eliminated.

16 teams now progress to the group stage in September

France and Czech Republic were both knocked out from the same group but the remaining teams qualified for the Finals week in November

The QF draw is

Italy vs Argentina
USA vs Australia
Germany vs Canada
Netherlands vs Spain

The Netherlands threw a spanner in Rafa Nadal's retirement plans as Spain were eliminated in the QF

Germany beat Canada 2-0 whilst Australia and Italy won their QFs in the deciding doubles rubber.

The semi final line up was

Germany vs Netherlands
Italy vs Australia

Netherlands beat Germany 2-0 to reach the final. With no selections for Netherlands the category points will go to the winner of today's semi final between Italy and Australia

[sportsmeister]

Event 29 - Which team will be in the middle position in the league hierachy on Christmas Day; Crewe, Shrewsbury or Wrexham?


Options and number of selections

Shrewsbury - 32
Wrexham - 15
Crewe - 6

The regular season has finished and Shrewsbury just about hung onto their League One status finishing 4 points above the drop zone. They will be joined in League One by Wrexham who secured a second successive promotion.

The other team in this category, Crewe, also have a chance of joining them in League One. Crewe have secured a berth in the League Two play offs. Their semi final opponents will be Doncaster.

Crewe had it all to do after losing their home first leg 2-0 but managed to claw it back in the second leg which ultimately went to penalties where Crewe progressed

Can Crewe overcome Crawley in the play off final to join Wrexham and Shrewsbury in League One?

A resounding no - Crewe went down 2-0 in the play off final vs Crawley and are now out of contention in this category.

The winner of this category will now be who of Wrexham and Shrewsbury is in the lowest position in League One on Christmas Day

As a guide the odds on winning League One are Wrexham 10/1 and Shrewsbury 125/1

League One has 21 sets of fixtures scheduled before Christmas and after just 3 the pattern has already been set in this category. Wrexham are undefeated with 7 points whilst Shrewsbury are rock bottom with 0 points.

It feels as though it will be just a question of time before Shrewsbury are confirmed as the "winners" of this category

Wrexham and Shrewsbury both won today which leaves Wrexham 20 points ahead of Shrewsbury who only have 5 regular matches plus one potential rearranged fixture to go before Christmas. Therefore, Shrewsbury are confirmed as the middle of the 3 original teams and the winner of this category.

Another popular selection, Shrewsbury with 32 picks earning the regulation 2 points.

[sportsmeister]

Event 26 - Which country will win the Davis Cup?

Options and number of selections

Spain - 14
Italy - 12
Australia - 9
USA - 7
Croatia - 3*
Canada - 3*
Serbia - 2*
France - 1**
Germany - 1**
Czech Republic - 1**

* would be worth an additional 1 bonus point
** would be worth an additional 2 bonus points

The qualifying round has now been completed and Serbia and Croatia were both eliminated.

16 teams now progress to the group stage in September

France and Czech Republic were both knocked out from the same group but the remaining teams qualified for the Finals week in November

The QF draw is

Italy vs Argentina
USA vs Australia
Germany vs Canada
Netherlands vs Spain

The Netherlands threw a spanner in Rafa Nadal's retirement plans as Spain were eliminated in the QF

Germany beat Canada 2-0 whilst Australia and Italy won their QFs in the deciding doubles rubber.

The semi final line up was

Germany vs Netherlands
Italy vs Australia

Netherlands beat Germany 2-0 to reach the final. With no selections for Netherlands the category points will go to the winner of today's semi final between Italy and Australia

Australia won a first set tie break before Italy rattled off 4 sets in a row to win the semi-final 2-0.

Italy then repeated the trick reeling off 4 consecutive sets to beat first time finalists, Netherlands, and retain the Davis Cup.

There were 12 selections for Italy earning another regulation 2 points.

[sportsmeister]

Latest positions after 27 of 30 events completed

Code: Select all

 Position     Name       FISO Name     E1 E2 E3 E4 E5 E6 E7 E8 E9 E10E11E12E13E14E15E16E17E18E19E20E21E22E23E24E25E26E27E28E29E30   Total        Max       Tie Break
     1     Duncan H     Not on FISO     2     2  2  2     2  1  2     2  3  2  2                 2           3  2           2         31          38           6
     2     Dylan K        megadyl       2  2  2           2        2  2                    2  2     2  2  2     2  2        2         28          33          105
     3     John A       Not on FISO           2  1  2     2  1        2     2           2     2  2  2  2        2           2         26          34          164
     4     David O     The Olmeister          2           2  1           3  2  2     2     2  2        2     2  2  2                  26          32           7
     5     Adam H       Not on FISO     2  2        2        1  2     2  3  2                 2  2  2        2  2                     26          32          207
     6     Phil R       Not on FISO           2     2     2           2     2  2           2     2  2     2  2  2           2         26          32          455
     7     Geoff S      Not on FISO     2     2     2           2  2  2        2        2  2     2        2     2           2         26          31          310
     8     Nigel V      Not on FISO     2     2           2           2        2     2     2  2  2        2     2  2        2         26          30          245
     9     Andrew Sc    Not on FISO           2     2     2  1        2     2                    2  2     2  2  2  2        2         25          31          420
    10     Steve H      Not on FISO     2                          2  2     2  2  3              2  2  2     2  2           2         25          30          89
    11     Julian R       spencer4      2  2  2     2     2     2              2     2        2                 2  2        2         24          32          222
    12     Peter C        zipnolan            2  2        2           2     2  2        2     2           2  2  2           2         24          31          825
    13     Richard J    Not on FISO     2     2  1           1  2           2              2  2        2  2  2  2           2         24          31         1,029
    14     Tom L        Not on FISO           2  1        2     2     2  3     2        2        2        2     2           2         24          28          481
    15     Claire P     Not on FISO     2     2     2                 2        2           2  2  2           3     2        2         23          31          106
    16     James P      Not on FISO     2     2     2     2  1  2  2        2  2           2                 2  2                     23          31          659
    17     Jon T        Not on FISO           2     2        1     2  2        2                 2     2     2  2  2        2         23          29          255
    18     Brian H      Not on FISO     2  2                    2              2  3        2     4        2     2           2         23          29          945
    19     Graham Bo    Not on FISO     2        1  2        1     2  2     2  2        2           2        2              2         22          30          135
    20     Tom H        Not on FISO           2  1  2        1        2     2                    2  2  2  2     2           2         22          30          245
    21     Alan W        polarbear                  2           2     2              2  2     2     2  2  2  2              2         22          29          77
    22     David J      Not on FISO              1  2                 2  3     2                 2     2     2  2  2        2         22          28          135
    23     Jack C       Not on FISO     2  2  2           2           2  3  2                                   2  2        2         21          29          651
    24     Joe McS      Not on FISO           2  2  2           2           2     3                 2        2  2  2                  21          26          57
    25     Dave Ga      Not on FISO     2  2  2     2                 2                       2     2  2     2  2                     20          26          15
    26     Graham Bu    Not on FISO     2                 2           2              2  2     2  2           2  2           2         20          26          35
    27     Bob S        Not on FISO           2                       2     2  2           2  2  2  2           2           2         20          26          57
    28     Andrew Sh    Not on FISO     2           2     2     2     2              2           2     2     2  2                     20          26          114
    29     James M      Not on FISO              1              2           2     3  2     2           2     2  2           2         20          26          303
    30     Penny M      Not on FISO                 2     2                          2  2  2  2  2           2  2           2         20          26          425
    31     Rich L       Not on FISO           2     2     2     2     2                    2           2     2  2           2         20          25          15
    32     Mike L       Not on FISO     2                 2           2  3  2  2                    2  2                    2         19          26          115
    33     Chris W      Not on FISO                          1  2  2  2        2              2        2  2     2           2         19          25           9
    34     Andy W       Not on FISO                 2        1        2     2           2  2     2  2           2           2         19          24          115
    35     John K       Not on FISO           2     2        1        2        2              2  2        2  2  2                     19          24          557
    36     Chris P     sportsmeister    2  2  2        4                    2        2  2  2                                          18          24           6
    37     Andy S       Not on FISO           2  2  2                 2     2        2  2                       2           2         18          24          315
    38     Dave Gr      Not on FISO     2     2     2     2           2     2           2        2              2                     18          23          910
    39     Chris T      Not on FISO                 2                 2  3              2  2        2     2     2                     17          22          193
    40     Phil A       Not on FISO     2           2                                2  2  2  2     2                       2         16          24          245
    41     Thursday C   Not on FISO           2     2                 2                                2  2  2  2  2                  16          22          70
    42     Jon W        Not on FISO        2  2           2     2  2  2                                         2           2         16          22          289
    43     Barrie D     Not on FISO           2     2           2     2     2                                2  2           2         16          21          19
    44     Gary S       Not on FISO           2                 2     2        2        2  2     2              2                     16          21          85
    45     James H       forestfan            2     2        1        2                    2           2     3  2                     16          20          217
    46     Player 1     Not on FISO                 2           2  2  2                       2        2  2     2                     16          20          260
    47     David R      Not on FISO              1              2  2  2                       2  2        2     2                     15          22           7
    48     Ian G        Not on FISO     2     2     2                                         2        2     2  2                     14          21          162
    49     Paul McG     Not on FISO        2                       2  2     2           2     2                 2                     14          18          417
    50     James C      Not on FISO        2  2     2     2                                         2           2                     12          18          105
    51     Thom G       Not on FISO                          1                 2                             3  2  2                  10          17          203
    52     Daniel K     Not on FISO     2                             2     2                                   2                     8           14          265
    53     Leigh H      Not on FISO     2                                      2                    2           2                     8           12          63

Even though Duncan H is in a really strong position with selections of Athletics in Event 28 and Keely Hodgkinson in Event 30 I reckon that there are 4 others that mathematically could still overhaul him;

3 time previous winner John A
Debutant Phil R
FISO's very own The Olmeister and Spencer4

[sportsmeister]

The Cup semi final category is number of points in the final frame of the UK Championship final

The semi final lineup is confirmed as

Code: Select all

Semi Final - Points scored in the final frame of the UK Championship final (December 1st)         Answer
       Name             FISO Name          Match        Prediction      Difference      Result        Winner
John A                 Not on FISO           1              99
Dave Ga                Not on FISO           1              100
Paul McG               Not on FISO           2              115
Thursday C             Not on FISO           2              137

[sportsmeister]

Event 27 - Which driver will finish runner up in the Formula 1 Drivers Championship?

Options and number of selections

Lewis Hamilton - 16
Sergio Perez - 14
Charles Leclerc - 10
Lando Norris - 10
Fernando Alonso - 1**
Carlos Sainz - 1**
Max Verstappen - 1**

** would be worth an additional 2 bonus points

After 5 of 24 races the standings are

1. Max Verstappen 110 points
2. Sergio Perez 85
3. Charles Leclerc 76
4. Carlos Sainz 69
5. Lando Norris 58
6. unselected (Oscar Piastri 38)
7. unselected (George Russell 33)
8. Fernando Alonso 31
9. Lewis Hamilton 19

Max is definitely not having it his own way this year and Lando Norris has moved into the points scoring position courtesy of his maiden victory at the Miami GP

After 12 of 24 races the standings are

1. Max Verstappen 255 points
2. Lando Norris 171
3. Charles Leclerc 150
4. Carlos Sainz 146
5. unselected (Oscar Piastri 124)
6. Sergio Perez 118
7. unselected (George Russell 111)
8. Lewis Hamilton 110
9. Fernando Alonso 45

Lando Norris is slowly reeling in Max Verstappen at the top of the drivers championship.

With 8 of the 24 races remaining the standings are

1. Max Verstappen 303 points
2. Lando Norris 241
3. Charles Leclerc 217
4. unselected (Oscar Piastri 197)
5. Carlos Sainz 184
6. Lewis Hamilton 164
7. Sergio Perez 143
8. unselected (George Russell 128)
9. Fernando Alonso 50

Aside from Alonso you could make a case for any of the other drivers to finish as runner-up in the drivers championship

The driver's championship remains very much alive with a maximum of 180 points (including 3 sprint races) left to race for although Alonso is now confirmed as too far back

1. Max Verstappen 331 points
2. Lando Norris 279
3. Charles Leclerc 245
4. unselected (Oscar Piastri 237)
5. Carlos Sainz 190
6. Lewis Hamilton 174
7. unselected (George Russell 155)
8. Sergio Perez 144
----------------------------------------------------
9. Fernando Alonso 62

The US and Mexican Grand Prix were dominated by crucial driver penalties for Norris and then Verstappen

With only 4 races left plus 2 sprint races the maximum available points is 120 which means Perez, Russell and Hamilton can no longer finish as runner up in the driver's championship.

Latest Standings are

1. Max Verstappen 362 points
2. Lando Norris 315
3. Charles Leclerc 291
4. unselected (Oscar Piastri 251)
5. Carlos Sainz 240
-----------------------------------------------
6. Lewis Hamilton 189
7. unselected (George Russell 177)
8. Sergio Perez 150
9. Fernando Alonso 62

Max overcame defeat in the sprint race and a 5 place grid penalty to master the wet conditions at Sao Paolo to extend his championship lead as he closes in on a 4th consecutive drivers title.

Only three of our selections can now finish as runner-up

Latest Standings are

1. Max Verstappen 393 points
2. Lando Norris 331
3. Charles Leclerc 307
4. unselected (Oscar Piastri 262)
-----------------------------------------------
5. Carlos Sainz 244
6. unselected (George Russell 192)
7. Lewis Hamilton 190
8. Sergio Perez 152
9. Fernando Alonso 62

Max struck the jackpot in Las Vegas to secure his 4th driver's title leaving Norris and Leclerc to battle it out for the runners up spot

Lando Norris finished 2nd in the sprint race in the penultimate GP at Qatar before squandering a great chance with a 10 second penalty which pushed him right down the grid with Charles Leclerc taking full advantage.

So, heading into the final GP of the season at Abu Dhabi, Lando Norris holds an 8 point advantage over Charles Leclerc with a maximum of 26 points up for grabs next week

[sportsmeister]

The Cup semi final category is number of points in the final frame of the UK Championship final

The semi final lineup is confirmed as

Code: Select all

Semi Final - Points scored in the final frame of the UK Championship final (December 1st)         Answer
       Name             FISO Name          Match        Prediction      Difference      Result        Winner
John A                 Not on FISO           1              99
Dave Ga                Not on FISO           1              100
Paul McG               Not on FISO           2              115
Thursday C             Not on FISO           2              137

Lots going on in the final frame with Judd Trump leaving Barry Hawkins needing snookers with 88 points scored before an extended run of snooker setting followed by snooker escapes. Judd Trump finally potted a long brown to clear up although critically he was showboating on the black which he missed.

The final frame score was 82-43 which puts Dave Ga and Paul McG into the final. If the final black had been potted then Thursday C would have replaced Paul McG in the final.

[sportsmeister]

Event 27 - Which driver will finish runner up in the Formula 1 Drivers Championship?

Options and number of selections

Lewis Hamilton - 16
Sergio Perez - 14
Charles Leclerc - 10
Lando Norris - 10
Fernando Alonso - 1**
Carlos Sainz - 1**
Max Verstappen - 1**

** would be worth an additional 2 bonus points

After 5 of 24 races the standings are

1. Max Verstappen 110 points
2. Sergio Perez 85
3. Charles Leclerc 76
4. Carlos Sainz 69
5. Lando Norris 58
6. unselected (Oscar Piastri 38)
7. unselected (George Russell 33)
8. Fernando Alonso 31
9. Lewis Hamilton 19

Max is definitely not having it his own way this year and Lando Norris has moved into the points scoring position courtesy of his maiden victory at the Miami GP

After 12 of 24 races the standings are

1. Max Verstappen 255 points
2. Lando Norris 171
3. Charles Leclerc 150
4. Carlos Sainz 146
5. unselected (Oscar Piastri 124)
6. Sergio Perez 118
7. unselected (George Russell 111)
8. Lewis Hamilton 110
9. Fernando Alonso 45

Lando Norris is slowly reeling in Max Verstappen at the top of the drivers championship.

With 8 of the 24 races remaining the standings are

1. Max Verstappen 303 points
2. Lando Norris 241
3. Charles Leclerc 217
4. unselected (Oscar Piastri 197)
5. Carlos Sainz 184
6. Lewis Hamilton 164
7. Sergio Perez 143
8. unselected (George Russell 128)
9. Fernando Alonso 50

Aside from Alonso you could make a case for any of the other drivers to finish as runner-up in the drivers championship

The driver's championship remains very much alive with a maximum of 180 points (including 3 sprint races) left to race for although Alonso is now confirmed as too far back

1. Max Verstappen 331 points
2. Lando Norris 279
3. Charles Leclerc 245
4. unselected (Oscar Piastri 237)
5. Carlos Sainz 190
6. Lewis Hamilton 174
7. unselected (George Russell 155)
8. Sergio Perez 144
----------------------------------------------------
9. Fernando Alonso 62

The US and Mexican Grand Prix were dominated by crucial driver penalties for Norris and then Verstappen

With only 4 races left plus 2 sprint races the maximum available points is 120 which means Perez, Russell and Hamilton can no longer finish as runner up in the driver's championship.

Latest Standings are

1. Max Verstappen 362 points
2. Lando Norris 315
3. Charles Leclerc 291
4. unselected (Oscar Piastri 251)
5. Carlos Sainz 240
-----------------------------------------------
6. Lewis Hamilton 189
7. unselected (George Russell 177)
8. Sergio Perez 150
9. Fernando Alonso 62

Max overcame defeat in the sprint race and a 5 place grid penalty to master the wet conditions at Sao Paolo to extend his championship lead as he closes in on a 4th consecutive drivers title.

Only three of our selections can now finish as runner-up

Latest Standings are

1. Max Verstappen 393 points
2. Lando Norris 331
3. Charles Leclerc 307
4. unselected (Oscar Piastri 262)
-----------------------------------------------
5. Carlos Sainz 244
6. unselected (George Russell 192)
7. Lewis Hamilton 190
8. Sergio Perez 152
9. Fernando Alonso 62

Max struck the jackpot in Las Vegas to secure his 4th driver's title leaving Norris and Leclerc to battle it out for the runners up spot

Lando Norris finished 2nd in the sprint race in the penultimate GP at Qatar before squandering a great chance with a 10 second penalty which pushed him right down the grid with Charles Leclerc taking full advantage.

So, heading into the final GP of the season at Abu Dhabi, Lando Norris holds an 8 point advantage over Charles Leclerc with a maximum of 26 points up for grabs next week

Lando Norris led the final GP from start to finish to convincingly wrap up 2nd spot in the driver's championship by 18 points from nearest challenger Charles Leclerc

There were 10 selections for Lando Norris earning the regulation 2 points

[sportsmeister]

Event 28 - Which sport will the BBC Sports Personality of the Year winner represent?

Options and number of selections

Athletics - 19
Football - 11
Cricket - 3*
Golf - 1**
Tennis - 0
Rugby Union/League - 0
Any Other Sport - 19

* would be worth an additional 1 bonus point
** would be worth an additional 2 bonus points

The six contenders for Sports Personality of the Year were announced yesterday and the only selected sport not represented is golf

The shortlist is

Keely Hodgkinson representing Athletics
Jude Bellingham representing Football
Joe Root representing Cricket
Luke Littler representing Any Other Sport
Alex Yee representing Any Other Sport
Sarah Storey representing Any Other Sport

The bookies suggest it is between Keely and Luke

The winner will be confirmed on the live programme on 17th December

[sportsmeister]

The overall leader remains Duncan H

The upcoming selections of the 5 remaining contenders are

Code: Select all

   Player    Latest Points    SPotY sport     worth    Kings Honours     worth    Max Points    TB Error
Duncan H          31       Athletics             2     Keely Hodgkinson       3           36           6
John A            28       Football              2     Bradly Sinden          4           34          164
David O           26       Football              2     Jude Bellingham        4           32           7
Julian R          26       Any Other Sport       2     James Milner           4           32          222
Phil R            26       Football              2     Ben Youngs             4           32          455

Duncan H has three chances to claim the title

1. If Keely Hodgkinson representing Athletics wins Sports Personality of the Year
2. If Keely Hodgkinson is named in the King's NY Honours list
3. If the other contenders selections don't come in

[sportsmeister]

Cup Final - how many goals are scored in the Premier League on Boxing Day?

The TV schedules have left us with 8 games on Boxing Day and the finalists selections are

Dave Ga 24 vs 16 Paul McG

I'm hoping for anything other than 20!