Early 2023/24 predictions

[AvaCoffey]

Making early football predictions adds to the anticipation of the upcoming season. I see that you've listed a variety of teams, including traditional powerhouses like Dundee United and Partick Thistle, as well as some dark horses like Arbroath. It's always interesting to see how these teams will fare and if any underdogs will rise to the occasion. As the season progresses, the dynamics can change, injuries can play a role, and strategies may evolve, making every match a thrilling experience.Personally, I'd recommend checking out football predictions Regards for more useful info.

Edited December 20, 2023 by AvaCoffey

[Nightmare]

16 minutes ago, AvaCoffey said:

Making early football predictions adds to the anticipation of the upcoming season. I see that you've listed a variety of teams, including traditional powerhouses like Dundee United and Partick Thistle, as well as some dark horses like Arbroath. It's always interesting to see how these teams will fare and if any underdogs will rise to the occasion. As the season progresses, the dynamics can change, injuries can play a role, and strategies may evolve, making every match a thrilling experience.Personally, I'd recommend checking out football predictions Regards for more useful info.

Traditional powerhouses, you say?

You sound like a smart bot. You can stay.

[Fuctifano]

On 31/07/2023 at 12:47, Fuctifano said:

I think I could make a good case for just about everyone bar Dundee Utd and Airdrie to finish 5th. That said, for the lols in 9 months or 6 weeks time, and obviously there's a full month of the transfer window to go so more complete squads are probably being overrated here:

1- Dundee Utd- obvious but they'll get there in the end

2- Raith- the trendy dark horse but with the caveat that they can't get their usual amount of injuries or they'll be closer to the bottom than the top.

3- Thistle- Should have enough goals in us to finish top 4 but the defence will cause issues.

4- Morton- not much change from last year though losing Grimshaw obviously a blow. Possibility of Imrie rage quit if things not going well always seems like it's in play

5- Queen's Park- the hardest of the lot to predict, could be 2nd and push Utd all the way or could sink like a stone. Be fun to see what happens if the latter, whether the total voetbal team get to stay or the Baron panicks about a return to L1, wields the axe and Ian McCall is brought in

6- Ayr - they were very much a one man team last year and are relying to a degree on hitting the English non league striker jackpot 3 years running, which seems unlikely. 

7- Dunfermline - normally the L1 champions do quite well, Cove last year bucking the trend. I don't think they will be in relegation danger but will fall away from the playoff race near end of the season

8- Inverness- they seem to keep pulling rabbits out of hats but look as if they're increasingly relying on McKay

9- Arbroath- If Bird isn't any cop then I don't see who's keeping them safe with Linn gone

10 - Airdrie- good league cup results but that doesn't always count for much and still seems like a league one squad on paper.

Morton's last few results have made this a bit better looking, might not have been far away about QP if McCall hadn't gone to Clyde. 

[cb_diamond]

Worth a bump for the run in

[Walter]

On 31/07/2023 at 12:47, Fuctifano said:

I think I could make a good case for just about everyone bar Dundee Utd and Airdrie to finish 5th. That said, for the lols in 9 months or 6 weeks time, and obviously there's a full month of the transfer window to go so more complete squads are probably being overrated here:

1- Dundee Utd- obvious but they'll get there in the end

2- Raith- the trendy dark horse but with the caveat that they can't get their usual amount of injuries or they'll be closer to the bottom than the top.

3- Thistle- Should have enough goals in us to finish top 4 but the defence will cause issues.

4- Morton- not much change from last year though losing Grimshaw obviously a blow. Possibility of Imrie rage quit if things not going well always seems like it's in play

5- Queen's Park- the hardest of the lot to predict, could be 2nd and push Utd all the way or could sink like a stone. Be fund to see what happens if the latter, whether the total voetbal team get to stay or the Baron panicks about a return to L1, wields the axe and Ian McCall is brought in

6- Ayr - they were very much a one man team last year and are relying to a degree on hitting the English non league striker jackpot 3 years running, which seems unlikely. 

7- Dunfermline - normally the L1 champions do quite well, Cove last year bucking the trend. I don't think they will be in relegation danger but will fall away from the playoff race near end of the season

8- Inverness- they seem to keep pulling rabbits out of hats but look as if they're increasingly relying on McKay

9- Arbroath- If Bird isn't any cop then I don't see who's keeping them safe with Linn gone

10 - Airdrie- good league cup results but that doesn't always count for much and still seems like a league one squad on paper.

Other than Airdrie, that's a fine effort from Nostradano. 

[Fuctifano]

1 minute ago, Walter said:

Other than Airdrie, that's a fine effort from Nostradano. 

Forgot to mention their upcoming 30-point deduction in my original post.

[Old Diamond]

Quite a few on here couldn't predict the outcome of a wet fart.

[Aufc]

Enjoyable seeing the Arbroath fans predicting us to finish bottom whilst saying their team wouldn’t trouble the bottom. 

[Zanetti]

Had a wee flick back through this thread and the less said about my own predictions the better. Still, it's always interesting to see how things compare when everything is almost said and done; I particularly enjoyed this post:

On 17/07/2023 at 12:31, clashcityrocker said:

You sure about that ?

Have you not been keeping up to speed with Arbroath's summer signings ?

I highly doubt they will be troubling the bottom of the league this season.

Best revise your predictions.

 

I take absolutely no joy from Arbroath getting relegated (actually, I would if we went down too for selfish reasons), but hopefully nobody who likes a wee gamble took this person's advice.

[Shooter McGavin]

On 18/06/2023 at 13:39, D'Jaffo said:

Fordyce was absolutely honking the last time he was seen at this level and that was a good few years ago now. The biggest issue that promoted squads make when coming up is they remain too loyal to players. Guys like Fordyce, Taylor-Sinclair, McCabe, Gallagher, Watson and Telfer aren’t good enough for this level. 
 

My guess is they’ll start the season off poorly, realise they aren’t up to it and then panic sign on the last day of the season. 

Good shout. 

[cb_diamond]

43 minutes ago, Shooter McGavin said:

Good shout. 

At least 4 of them would walk straight into the Ayr team right now 

[Diamond1924]

On 30/07/2023 at 19:18, Zanetti said:

It's not exactly rocket science; on paper you have one of the weakest squads in the league. It isn't any better than the teams that went down last season.

This is just bliss. Wee Zanetti now relying on Airdrie to roll over and do his team a turn tomorrow whilst we prepare for the playoffs with a (diddy) cup under our arm. 

Edited May 2 by Diamond1924

[Rael Rover]

On 31/07/2023 at 17:32, Rael Rover said:

Dundee Utd

Partick Thistle 

Raith Rovers

Dunfermline 

Queens Park 

Morton

Ayr

Arbroath 

Inverness 

Airdrie 

 

Bar Airdrie not wildly out with one game to go. Surprised myself!

[Stellaboz]

On 26/06/2023 at 20:30, Stellaboz said:

Pars to go up via the play offs. 

Wee team to go down after Murray is fired and Potter takes over from February.

Dick Campbell gone by Christmas.

Pars to actually win at Tannadice for first time in years.

Lee Griffiths to return to Scottish football at Airdrie.

Utd go up as champions but the poorest in terms of points for decades.

Called...some of it! 

[RossBFaeDundee]

Alright then, suppose I'll do my usual with these prediction threads for the fun of it, as well as due to the fact that I really enjoy this league (just not being in it!). Considering how early this thread was created it'll be quite interesting to see how some of those really early guesses will look now.

The lower your final points total is, the more accurate your placings of each specific team has been and the more accurate your league prediction is. The scores vary high and low for this one, probably owing to just how tight and chaotic this league has been. After going through them all this is how I would categorise the quality of prediction:

Under 16 = Brilliant effort, likely need more than half the teams predicted exactly right for that.

16 to 20 = A very good prediction that is worth a little smugness.

22 to 26 = Bang average, which in this crazy league is still a decent effort.

28 and above = Well... at least you tried!

And now, the results.

Final results:

Page 1:

@Jives Miguel Version 1: 4+1+3+5+3+2+3+5+2+6 = 34
-- Version 2 (Page 19): 0+3+6+2+2+0+0+4+1+0 = 18

@callum-ayr - 0+0+4+2+0+2+4+1+5+0 = 18

@itzdrk Version 1: 1+6+2+1+1+3+0+2+0+6 = 22
-- Version 2 (Page 11): 0+6+1+1+1+1+2+1+5+0 = 18

@madton - 0+0+0+1+2+3+1+2+5+0 = 14

@Rob1885 - 0+0+6+4+0+1+1+5+5+0 = 22

@David_86 - 0+0+5+3+4+1+1+4+6+0 = 24

@Broken Algorithms - 0+0+5+1+2+0+2+3+5+0 = 18

@HoBNob Version 1: 0+0+2+2+2+3+1+1+1+6 = 18
-- Version 2 (Page 20): 0+1+1+2+0+3+0+4+1+0 = 12

@mcjameos - 0+0+6+2+3+1+4+3+1+6 = 26

@Highlandmagar - 0+4+1+1+4+2+3+5+2+0 = 22

Page 2:

@Oceanlineayr - 1+1+6+1+1+2+0+5+1+6 = 24

@clashcityrocker - 0+0+3+5+5+1+4+0+4+6 = 28

@jaggyness - 0+0+4+2+3+3+2+1+5+0 = 20

@Slacker - 0+6+0+5+3+1+1+3+5+0 = 24

@Diamond Oracle - 0+0+3+1+1+3+3+0+2+5 = 18

@Chapelhall chap - 0+3+6+2+3+3+0+4+1+0 = 22

@chattyman - 0+0+4+5+2+1+1+2+5+2 = 22

@Mr.Blue - 0+0+2+5+1+1+4+2+1+6 = 22

@Shandon Par - 5+1+2+1+4+1+3+0+1+8 = 26

Page 3:

@eindhovendee - 0+4+6+1+3+3+0+2+5+2 = 26

@ClydeTon Version 1: 0+5+2+2+3+3+5+1+1+6 = 28
-- Version 2 (Page 11): 0+6+2+2+3+3+4+1+1+6 = 28
-- Version 3 (Page 13, FFS): 9+3+1+1+3+0+2+1+1+9 = 30 
-- Version 4 (Page 17  ) 2+1+2+2+3+2+2+1+1+6 = 22

@Richey Edwards - 2+1+4+2+4+1+1+4+1+2 = 22

@Jaffa - 0+7+1+1+1+2+2+2+2+6 = 24

Page 4:

@diegomarahenry - either 0+7+0+3+0+0+1+6+1+6 or 0+7+0+1+1+2+5+1+1+6, both = 24

@Heid_The_Baw - 0+0+3+1+0+3+0+0+5+0 = 12

Page 5:

@Ex Machina - 7+1+0+2+0+0+2+1+1+6 = 20

@DA Baracus - 0+0+2+2+3+3+3+2+6+3 = 24

@Shooter McGavin - 3+4+2+5+0+4+5+5+1+3 = 32

@williebraveheart - 0+1+5+2+4+1+5+3+1+6 = 28

Page 6:

@Spider1975 - 0+4+1+5+2+2+0+3+1+6 = 24

@RossBFaeDundee - 0+1+1+2+0+1+2+0+5+0 = 12 

Page 7:

@DreamOakTree1 - 1+6+2+2+2+1+2+5+5+0 = 26

@cb_diamond - 0+0+3+5+2+1+1+5+5+0 = 22

@jagfox - 0+7+0+4+2+0+5+3+1+6 = 28

Page 8:

@Leedafc - 0+0+0+5+3+1+1+1+5+0 = 16

Page 9:

@Chubbychops - 0+6+6+2+1+3+3+3+2+0 = 26

@Brmiddleton4 - 0+4+1+1+4+1+3+0+6+6 = 26

Page 10:

@dirty dingus - 4+1+0+2+3+3+1+1+5+0 = 20

@San Starko Rover - 0+6+6+2+1+1+4+2+4+6 = 32

@MORleyTON - 0+7+0+1+3+0+1+1+1+6 = 20

Page 11:

@Dunning1874 - 0+6+6+1+3+3+1+1+1+6 = 28

@Andriy_Parmolenko - 0+7+1+1+1+3+1+4+2+0 = 20

Page 12:

@Diamonds_Are_Forever - 0+1+6+2+2+2+1+3+3+0 = 20

@CathcartSkins - 0+7+0+4+1+4+0+3+1+6 = 26

@Gibb20 - 0+0+0+2+3+3+2+1+5+0 = 16

Page 13:

@Acon - 0+4+6+2+3+3+0+4+4+0 = 26

Page 14:

@Salvo Montalbano - 0+1+6+2+3+1+1+4+2+0 = 20

@Hawk89 - 2+6+1+1+4+1+2+2+5+0 = 24

@Poet of the Macabre - 0+1+5+2+4+0+0+3+5+0 = 20

@Liam899 - 5+1+2+2+3+4+3+1+8+1 = 30

@Zanetti - 0+7+1+4+2+0+0+3+1+6 = 24

@AlwaysAPar - 0+3+0+2+3+3+3+1+1+0 = 16

@CityDave94 (the away days prediction!) - 8+1+4+1+5+4+1+2+8+6 = 40 

@Terry_Tibbs - 0+1+6+2+1+1+2+0+1+6 = 20

@The Naitch - 0+1+5+1+1+4+2+1+5+0 = 20

@Loon From Outta Toon - 0+1+6+2+1+1+3+3+1+0 = 18

@qpfc - 0+1+1+3+3+1+1+1+1+6 = 18

Page 15:

@snapper55 - 0+7+2+2+1+1+3+0+6+6 = 28

@keyser_soze - 1+1+2+2+2+2+2+5+5+0 = 22

Page 16:

@thisal - 0+5+6+2+1+3+1+3+5+0 = 26

Page 17:

@Fuctifano - 0+0+0+1+3+1+1+1+1+6 = 14

@Les Cabbage - 0+0+0+2+3+3+0+4+4+0 = 16

Page 18:

@Oberon43 - 0+4+0+2+0+4+1+1+5+1 = 18

@Rael Rover - 0+1+1+2+3+1+0+2+0+6 = 16

@D'Jaffo - 0+4+1+3+2+3+2+0+5+0 = 20

@Nightmare - 0+0+0+1+1+3+0+0+5+0 = 10

@Wildrover - 1+1+0+2+4+2+0+3+5+0 = 18

@oneteaminglasgow - 0+1+1+3+0+0+1+1+1+6 = 14

Page 19:

@The Ghost of B A R P - 0+0+2+1+2+0+2+4+1+2 = 14

@TxRover - 0+4+1+1+4+2+2+1+1+6 = 22

@AyrAtlanta - 0+4+6+3+0+3+5+0+5+0 = 26

@virginton - 0+4+0+2+0+2+2+1+1+6 = 18

Page 20:

@GuyIncognito - 0+0+4+1+0+0+1+4+0+0 = 10

@Grumpy Soo-sider - 0+1+1+4+1+3+0+2+5+5 = 22

@Juanhourjoe - 7+1+6+1+3+0+3+5+2+0 = 28

@Paisley Ton - 0+5+0+1+4+4+1+2+1+6 = 24

@GiGi - 0+4+1+4+2+1+0+2+0+6 = 20

@Ian Mcleod - 0+6+1+3+2+2+1+1+4+0 = 20

@Cyclops van Gogh 1867 - 7+7+2+2+0+3+1+1+5+0 = 28

@DG_RRFC - 0+0+0+1+3+1+1+1+5+0 = 12

Page 21:

@par-adise - 0+1+1+4+1+3+0+3+5+0 = 18

@Mr November - 0+1+1+2+0+1+2+4+1+0 = 14

@Theholyglove - 0+0+5+1+0+0+2+1+1+6 = 16

@ayrunitedfw - 0+1+4+2+1+3+1+3+5+0 = 20

@Arachnophile - 2+1+1+5+3+1+3+2+1+5 = 24

@Dysart - 2+1+6+2+2+2+5+3+1+6 = 30

@Ziggy - 0+0+0+1+4+0+1+1+1+6 = 14

@Gibby82 - 0+7+1+0+2+3+1+3+1+2 = 20

 

Synopsis:

All things considered, I feel like the standard of predictions for this season just past was quite high for the most part, though with a few obvious exceptions. There's always one team that punches far further above their weight than most expect, and of course this season it was Airdrie doing the shutting up with their excellent season (and that's not including winning the Challenge Cup!) Whether or not they sneak promotion from 4th place for a second straight year, their season to remember helped weigh down good predictions that could've been even better.

As for the disappointers, Queen's Park regressing from last year seems obvious now but plenty of folk early on felt they had it in them to push for play-offs again. Inverness however seemed to be a bigger surprise for predictions despite their sinking in the table last year. You could probably count on one hand the number of folk willing to say they'd be in or around the very bottom come season's end, but here we are.

Best Predictions:

Last season saw some really impressive scores, including the only single-digit score I've seen doing this over the last few years - a crazy 8 from the long-missing @Death in Vegas - and that stayed the case this season, but not without some bloody good attempts.

First of all, a 'fair play' to the 6 posters who finished with 14 points, those being @madton (who made his prediction all the way back on June 15th!), @Fuctifano, @oneteaminglasgow, @The Ghost of B A R P, @Mr November and @Ziggy.

On to the big sexy twelvers. The first to crack 12 points was @Heid_The_Baw, who went one better and also called Raith ending their hoodoo against ICT. Then there was... oh, me! Your humble host @RossBFaeDundee smashed this one, with only Airdrie being a blip. I should've known better after our League Cup game, and I even said so:

On 01/07/2023 at 03:41, RossBFaeDundee said:

Had planned to try and put Airdrie higher but with the glut in the middle there's no room

Ach well. The next two 12s came late on, with @HoBNob updating an already respectable 18 point prediction all the way back in June to improve on it, and finally @DG_RRFC throwing a solid attempt in the day before play began. The common killer? Airdrie, and to a lesser extent Queen's Park for all except me, who nailed QP but slightly overestimated Dunfermline and underestimated Caley Thistle. 

The crown this season though was shared between two posters who managed a formidable 10 points each. First up is @Nightmare with a dream of a prediction, as aside from Airdrie and QP was pretty much perfect. The other winner this year is @GuyIncognito, who saw the Spiders slipping but his pure love and belief in Ayr United the only other preventer of near-perfection. A very well done to the both of you!

Worst Predictions:

As I said in the synopsis, the average prediction was pretty decent compared to seasons past. There were only 7 predictions at 30 points or higher, which compared to last season is down by a third or so. Three posters managed 30 points exactly, with @ClydeTon managing it on his 3rd of 4(!) attempts, though admittedly I'm aware it was a less serious one as it was immediately after United were beat by Partick in their shambolic League Cup campaign and had them at the bottom with Arbroath top. I bring this up however, as had he swapped top and bottom he too would have been relaxing in the idyllic gardens of 12 points. Still, his last prediction garnered a respectable 22 points, so it's not all bad.

Next up was @Liam899, whose crystal ball which saw Dunfermline take the title and United relegated to Cove Rangers probably needs put in the bin, maybe don't buy them off Wish. The final 30 pointer came from @Dysart, whose faith in ICT as opposed to his own Raith Rovers resulted in this prediction. I'm sure he'll not be complaining Rovers did better than he thought they would though!

Two unfortunate souls made it to 32 points, with @Shooter McGavin first reaching the mark. The fact that having his beloved Airdrie as champions was one of his better predictions perhaps says something. @San Starko Rover was the other to hit this ill-fated mark, and prefaced it by claiming he was "normally way off". With ICT and QP in the play-offs and Partick and Airdrie in the bottom half, who am I to argue?

Only one prediction hit 34 points, the mark which three posters bottomed out with last season, and four posters the year before that. Impressively, it was with the very first effort as well. When you think of trying to predict a league six weeks before it even starts, before teams have even got settled squads, you imagine it'll be an utter crapshoot, but largely a disaster. Some of them turned out great (see madton earlier) but @Jives Miguel opened this thread with a doozy. With such an early prediction, you can dare to dream a little more, and naturally Jives had to place Morton at the top above all, with Dunfermline and ICT in the play-offs. Couple those with a Partick-Ayr-Airdrie bottom three, and we have a certified stinker. Jives would more than make up for it later down the line, with a revised, more modest prediction (Morton were only in 2nd) netted a much more creditable 18 points through a pretty solid bottom half call.

Last but not least however was @CityDave94, who eschewed predictions and instead compiled a table based on his feelings about the clubs, their fans and away days. So while not a proper prediction, his rankings would amass an unprecedented 40 points through Caley being #1, United deservedly being right at the bottom and other entertaining musings that I enjoyed enough to highlight. Curious to see how this table will look in League One next season!

Thank you all for participating!

[AyrAtlanta]

Thanks for the summary. 26 points is disappointing although my hatred for the North Lanarkshire Sevco got in the way of that. I predicted 1st and 10th so that’ll do me.

Ayr for 1st next year no matter the signings we make.

[Jives Miguel]

1 hour ago, RossBFaeDundee said:

Alright then, suppose I'll do my usual with these prediction threads for the fun of it, as well as due to the fact that I really enjoy this league (just not being in it!). Considering how early this thread was created it'll be quite interesting to see how some of those really early guesses will look now.

The lower your final points total is, the more accurate your placings of each specific team has been and the more accurate your league prediction is. The scores vary high and low for this one, probably owing to just how tight and chaotic this league has been. After going through them all this is how I would categorise the quality of prediction:

Under 16 = Brilliant effort, likely need more than half the teams predicted exactly right for that.

16 to 20 = A very good prediction that is worth a little smugness.

22 to 26 = Bang average, which in this crazy league is still a decent effort.

28 and above = Well... at least you tried!

And now, the results.

Final results:

Page 1:

@Jives Miguel Version 1: 4+1+3+5+3+2+3+5+2+6 = 34
-- Version 2 (Page 19): 0+3+6+2+2+0+0+4+1+0 = 18

@callum-ayr - 0+0+4+2+0+2+4+1+5+0 = 18

@itzdrk Version 1: 1+6+2+1+1+3+0+2+0+6 = 22
-- Version 2 (Page 11): 0+6+1+1+1+1+2+1+5+0 = 18

@madton - 0+0+0+1+2+3+1+2+5+0 = 14

@Rob1885 - 0+0+6+4+0+1+1+5+5+0 = 22

@David_86 - 0+0+5+3+4+1+1+4+6+0 = 24

@Broken Algorithms - 0+0+5+1+2+0+2+3+5+0 = 18

@HoBNob Version 1: 0+0+2+2+2+3+1+1+1+6 = 18
-- Version 2 (Page 20): 0+1+1+2+0+3+0+4+1+0 = 12

@mcjameos - 0+0+6+2+3+1+4+3+1+6 = 26

@Highlandmagar - 0+4+1+1+4+2+3+5+2+0 = 22

Page 2:

@Oceanlineayr - 1+1+6+1+1+2+0+5+1+6 = 24

@clashcityrocker - 0+0+3+5+5+1+4+0+4+6 = 28

@jaggyness - 0+0+4+2+3+3+2+1+5+0 = 20

@Slacker - 0+6+0+5+3+1+1+3+5+0 = 24

@Diamond Oracle - 0+0+3+1+1+3+3+0+2+5 = 18

@Chapelhall chap - 0+3+6+2+3+3+0+4+1+0 = 22

@chattyman - 0+0+4+5+2+1+1+2+5+2 = 22

@Mr.Blue - 0+0+2+5+1+1+4+2+1+6 = 22

@Shandon Par - 5+1+2+1+4+1+3+0+1+8 = 26

Page 3:

@eindhovendee - 0+4+6+1+3+3+0+2+5+2 = 26

@ClydeTon Version 1: 0+5+2+2+3+3+5+1+1+6 = 28
-- Version 2 (Page 11): 0+6+2+2+3+3+4+1+1+6 = 28
-- Version 3 (Page 13, FFS): 9+3+1+1+3+0+2+1+1+9 = 30 
-- Version 4 (Page 17  ) 2+1+2+2+3+2+2+1+1+6 = 22

@Richey Edwards - 2+1+4+2+4+1+1+4+1+2 = 22

@Jaffa - 0+7+1+1+1+2+2+2+2+6 = 24

Page 4:

@diegomarahenry - either 0+7+0+3+0+0+1+6+1+6 or 0+7+0+1+1+2+5+1+1+6, both = 24

@Heid_The_Baw - 0+0+3+1+0+3+0+0+5+0 = 12

Page 5:

@Ex Machina - 7+1+0+2+0+0+2+1+1+6 = 20

@DA Baracus - 0+0+2+2+3+3+3+2+6+3 = 24

@Shooter McGavin - 3+4+2+5+0+4+5+5+1+3 = 32

@williebraveheart - 0+1+5+2+4+1+5+3+1+6 = 28

Page 6:

@Spider1975 - 0+4+1+5+2+2+0+3+1+6 = 24

@RossBFaeDundee - 0+1+1+2+0+1+2+0+5+0 = 12 

Page 7:

@DreamOakTree1 - 1+6+2+2+2+1+2+5+5+0 = 26

@cb_diamond - 0+0+3+5+2+1+1+5+5+0 = 22

@jagfox - 0+7+0+4+2+0+5+3+1+6 = 28

Page 8:

@Leedafc - 0+0+0+5+3+1+1+1+5+0 = 16

Page 9:

@Chubbychops - 0+6+6+2+1+3+3+3+2+0 = 26

@Brmiddleton4 - 0+4+1+1+4+1+3+0+6+6 = 26

Page 10:

@dirty dingus - 4+1+0+2+3+3+1+1+5+0 = 20

@San Starko Rover - 0+6+6+2+1+1+4+2+4+6 = 32

@MORleyTON - 0+7+0+1+3+0+1+1+1+6 = 20

Page 11:

@Dunning1874 - 0+6+6+1+3+3+1+1+1+6 = 28

@Andriy_Parmolenko - 0+7+1+1+1+3+1+4+2+0 = 20

Page 12:

@Diamonds_Are_Forever - 0+1+6+2+2+2+1+3+3+0 = 20

@CathcartSkins - 0+7+0+4+1+4+0+3+1+6 = 26

@Gibb20 - 0+0+0+2+3+3+2+1+5+0 = 16

Page 13:

@Acon - 0+4+6+2+3+3+0+4+4+0 = 26

Page 14:

@Salvo Montalbano - 0+1+6+2+3+1+1+4+2+0 = 20

@Hawk89 - 2+6+1+1+4+1+2+2+5+0 = 24

@Poet of the Macabre - 0+1+5+2+4+0+0+3+5+0 = 20

@Liam899 - 5+1+2+2+3+4+3+1+8+1 = 30

@Zanetti - 0+7+1+4+2+0+0+3+1+6 = 24

@AlwaysAPar - 0+3+0+2+3+3+3+1+1+0 = 16

@CityDave94 (the away days prediction!) - 8+1+4+1+5+4+1+2+8+6 = 40 

@Terry_Tibbs - 0+1+6+2+1+1+2+0+1+6 = 20

@The Naitch - 0+1+5+1+1+4+2+1+5+0 = 20

@Loon From Outta Toon - 0+1+6+2+1+1+3+3+1+0 = 18

@qpfc - 0+1+1+3+3+1+1+1+1+6 = 18

Page 15:

@snapper55 - 0+7+2+2+1+1+3+0+6+6 = 28

@keyser_soze - 1+1+2+2+2+2+2+5+5+0 = 22

Page 16:

@thisal - 0+5+6+2+1+3+1+3+5+0 = 26

Page 17:

@Fuctifano - 0+0+0+1+3+1+1+1+1+6 = 14

@Les Cabbage - 0+0+0+2+3+3+0+4+4+0 = 16

Page 18:

@Oberon43 - 0+4+0+2+0+4+1+1+5+1 = 18

@Rael Rover - 0+1+1+2+3+1+0+2+0+6 = 16

@D'Jaffo - 0+4+1+3+2+3+2+0+5+0 = 20

@Nightmare - 0+0+0+1+1+3+0+0+5+0 = 10

@Wildrover - 1+1+0+2+4+2+0+3+5+0 = 18

@oneteaminglasgow - 0+1+1+3+0+0+1+1+1+6 = 14

Page 19:

@The Ghost of B A R P - 0+0+2+1+2+0+2+4+1+2 = 14

@TxRover - 0+4+1+1+4+2+2+1+1+6 = 22

@AyrAtlanta - 0+4+6+3+0+3+5+0+5+0 = 26

@virginton - 0+4+0+2+0+2+2+1+1+6 = 18

Page 20:

@GuyIncognito - 0+0+4+1+0+0+1+4+0+0 = 10

@Grumpy Soo-sider - 0+1+1+4+1+3+0+2+5+5 = 22

@Juanhourjoe - 7+1+6+1+3+0+3+5+2+0 = 28

@Paisley Ton - 0+5+0+1+4+4+1+2+1+6 = 24

@GiGi - 0+4+1+4+2+1+0+2+0+6 = 20

@Ian Mcleod - 0+6+1+3+2+2+1+1+4+0 = 20

@Cyclops van Gogh 1867 - 7+7+2+2+0+3+1+1+5+0 = 28

@DG_RRFC - 0+0+0+1+3+1+1+1+5+0 = 12

Page 21:

@par-adise - 0+1+1+4+1+3+0+3+5+0 = 18

@Mr November - 0+1+1+2+0+1+2+4+1+0 = 14

@Theholyglove - 0+0+5+1+0+0+2+1+1+6 = 16

@ayrunitedfw - 0+1+4+2+1+3+1+3+5+0 = 20

@Arachnophile - 2+1+1+5+3+1+3+2+1+5 = 24

@Dysart - 2+1+6+2+2+2+5+3+1+6 = 30

@Ziggy - 0+0+0+1+4+0+1+1+1+6 = 14

@Gibby82 - 0+7+1+0+2+3+1+3+1+2 = 20

 

Synopsis:

All things considered, I feel like the standard of predictions for this season just past was quite high for the most part, though with a few obvious exceptions. There's always one team that punches far further above their weight than most expect, and of course this season it was Airdrie doing the shutting up with their excellent season (and that's not including winning the Challenge Cup!) Whether or not they sneak promotion from 4th place for a second straight year, their season to remember helped weigh down good predictions that could've been even better.

As for the disappointers, Queen's Park regressing from last year seems obvious now but plenty of folk early on felt they had it in them to push for play-offs again. Inverness however seemed to be a bigger surprise for predictions despite their sinking in the table last year. You could probably count on one hand the number of folk willing to say they'd be in or around the very bottom come season's end, but here we are.

Best Predictions:

Last season saw some really impressive scores, including the only single-digit score I've seen doing this over the last few years - a crazy 8 from the long-missing @Death in Vegas - and that stayed the case this season, but not without some bloody good attempts.

First of all, a 'fair play' to the 6 posters who finished with 14 points, those being @madton (who made his prediction all the way back on June 15th!), @Fuctifano, @oneteaminglasgow, @The Ghost of B A R P, @Mr November and @Ziggy.

On to the big sexy twelvers. The first to crack 12 points was @Heid_The_Baw, who went one better and also called Raith ending their hoodoo against ICT. Then there was... oh, me! Your humble host @RossBFaeDundee smashed this one, with only Airdrie being a blip. I should've known better after our League Cup game, and I even said so:

Ach well. The next two 12s came late on, with @HoBNob updating an already respectable 18 point prediction all the way back in June to improve on it, and finally @DG_RRFC throwing a solid attempt in the day before play began. The common killer? Airdrie, and to a lesser extent Queen's Park for all except me, who nailed QP but slightly overestimated Dunfermline and underestimated Caley Thistle. 

The crown this season though was shared between two posters who managed a formidable 10 points each. First up is @Nightmare with a dream of a prediction, as aside from Airdrie and QP was pretty much perfect. The other winner this year is @GuyIncognito, who saw the Spiders slipping but his pure love and belief in Ayr United the only other preventer of near-perfection. A very well done to the both of you!

Worst Predictions:

As I said in the synopsis, the average prediction was pretty decent compared to seasons past. There were only 7 predictions at 30 points or higher, which compared to last season is down by a third or so. Three posters managed 30 points exactly, with @ClydeTon managing it on his 3rd of 4(!) attempts, though admittedly I'm aware it was a less serious one as it was immediately after United were beat by Partick in their shambolic League Cup campaign and had them at the bottom with Arbroath top. I bring this up however, as had he swapped top and bottom he too would have been relaxing in the idyllic gardens of 12 points. Still, his last prediction garnered a respectable 22 points, so it's not all bad.

Next up was @Liam899, whose crystal ball which saw Dunfermline take the title and United relegated to Cove Rangers probably needs put in the bin, maybe don't buy them off Wish. The final 30 pointer came from @Dysart, whose faith in ICT as opposed to his own Raith Rovers resulted in this prediction. I'm sure he'll not be complaining Rovers did better than he thought they would though!

Two unfortunate souls made it to 32 points, with @Shooter McGavin first reaching the mark. The fact that having his beloved Airdrie as champions was one of his better predictions perhaps says something. @San Starko Rover was the other to hit this ill-fated mark, and prefaced it by claiming he was "normally way off". With ICT and QP in the play-offs and Partick and Airdrie in the bottom half, who am I to argue?

Only one prediction hit 34 points, the mark which three posters bottomed out with last season, and four posters the year before that. Impressively, it was with the very first effort as well. When you think of trying to predict a league six weeks before it even starts, before teams have even got settled squads, you imagine it'll be an utter crapshoot, but largely a disaster. Some of them turned out great (see madton earlier) but @Jives Miguel opened this thread with a doozy. With such an early prediction, you can dare to dream a little more, and naturally Jives had to place Morton at the top above all, with Dunfermline and ICT in the play-offs. Couple those with a Partick-Ayr-Airdrie bottom three, and we have a certified stinker. Jives would more than make up for it later down the line, with a revised, more modest prediction (Morton were only in 2nd) netted a much more creditable 18 points through a pretty solid bottom half call.

Last but not least however was @CityDave94, who eschewed predictions and instead compiled a table based on his feelings about the clubs, their fans and away days. So while not a proper prediction, his rankings would amass an unprecedented 40 points through Caley being #1, United deservedly being right at the bottom and other entertaining musings that I enjoyed enough to highlight. Curious to see how this table will look in League One next season!

Thank you all for participating!

Thoroughly enjoyed reading that. Superb work. Thank you 

[Mr.Blue]

Some effort mate. Thanks for that. Enjoyed the read.

[Wacky]

6 hours ago, RossBFaeDundee said:

Alright then, suppose I'll do my usual with these prediction threads for the fun of it, as well as due to the fact that I really enjoy this league (just not being in it!). Considering how early this thread was created it'll be quite interesting to see how some of those really early guesses will look now.

The lower your final points total is, the more accurate your placings of each specific team has been and the more accurate your league prediction is. The scores vary high and low for this one, probably owing to just how tight and chaotic this league has been. After going through them all this is how I would categorise the quality of prediction:

Under 16 = Brilliant effort, likely need more than half the teams predicted exactly right for that.

16 to 20 = A very good prediction that is worth a little smugness.

22 to 26 = Bang average, which in this crazy league is still a decent effort.

28 and above = Well... at least you tried!

And now, the results.

Final results:

Page 1:

@Jives Miguel Version 1: 4+1+3+5+3+2+3+5+2+6 = 34
-- Version 2 (Page 19): 0+3+6+2+2+0+0+4+1+0 = 18

@callum-ayr - 0+0+4+2+0+2+4+1+5+0 = 18

@itzdrk Version 1: 1+6+2+1+1+3+0+2+0+6 = 22
-- Version 2 (Page 11): 0+6+1+1+1+1+2+1+5+0 = 18

@madton - 0+0+0+1+2+3+1+2+5+0 = 14

@Rob1885 - 0+0+6+4+0+1+1+5+5+0 = 22

@David_86 - 0+0+5+3+4+1+1+4+6+0 = 24

@Broken Algorithms - 0+0+5+1+2+0+2+3+5+0 = 18

@HoBNob Version 1: 0+0+2+2+2+3+1+1+1+6 = 18
-- Version 2 (Page 20): 0+1+1+2+0+3+0+4+1+0 = 12

@mcjameos - 0+0+6+2+3+1+4+3+1+6 = 26

@Highlandmagar - 0+4+1+1+4+2+3+5+2+0 = 22

Page 2:

@Oceanlineayr - 1+1+6+1+1+2+0+5+1+6 = 24

@clashcityrocker - 0+0+3+5+5+1+4+0+4+6 = 28

@jaggyness - 0+0+4+2+3+3+2+1+5+0 = 20

@Slacker - 0+6+0+5+3+1+1+3+5+0 = 24

@Diamond Oracle - 0+0+3+1+1+3+3+0+2+5 = 18

@Chapelhall chap - 0+3+6+2+3+3+0+4+1+0 = 22

@chattyman - 0+0+4+5+2+1+1+2+5+2 = 22

@Mr.Blue - 0+0+2+5+1+1+4+2+1+6 = 22

@Shandon Par - 5+1+2+1+4+1+3+0+1+8 = 26

Page 3:

@eindhovendee - 0+4+6+1+3+3+0+2+5+2 = 26

@ClydeTon Version 1: 0+5+2+2+3+3+5+1+1+6 = 28
-- Version 2 (Page 11): 0+6+2+2+3+3+4+1+1+6 = 28
-- Version 3 (Page 13, FFS): 9+3+1+1+3+0+2+1+1+9 = 30 
-- Version 4 (Page 17  ) 2+1+2+2+3+2+2+1+1+6 = 22

@Richey Edwards - 2+1+4+2+4+1+1+4+1+2 = 22

@Jaffa - 0+7+1+1+1+2+2+2+2+6 = 24

Page 4:

@diegomarahenry - either 0+7+0+3+0+0+1+6+1+6 or 0+7+0+1+1+2+5+1+1+6, both = 24

@Heid_The_Baw - 0+0+3+1+0+3+0+0+5+0 = 12

Page 5:

@Ex Machina - 7+1+0+2+0+0+2+1+1+6 = 20

@DA Baracus - 0+0+2+2+3+3+3+2+6+3 = 24

@Shooter McGavin - 3+4+2+5+0+4+5+5+1+3 = 32

@williebraveheart - 0+1+5+2+4+1+5+3+1+6 = 28

Page 6:

@Spider1975 - 0+4+1+5+2+2+0+3+1+6 = 24

@RossBFaeDundee - 0+1+1+2+0+1+2+0+5+0 = 12 

Page 7:

@DreamOakTree1 - 1+6+2+2+2+1+2+5+5+0 = 26

@cb_diamond - 0+0+3+5+2+1+1+5+5+0 = 22

@jagfox - 0+7+0+4+2+0+5+3+1+6 = 28

Page 8:

@Leedafc - 0+0+0+5+3+1+1+1+5+0 = 16

Page 9:

@Chubbychops - 0+6+6+2+1+3+3+3+2+0 = 26

@Brmiddleton4 - 0+4+1+1+4+1+3+0+6+6 = 26

Page 10:

@dirty dingus - 4+1+0+2+3+3+1+1+5+0 = 20

@San Starko Rover - 0+6+6+2+1+1+4+2+4+6 = 32

@MORleyTON - 0+7+0+1+3+0+1+1+1+6 = 20

Page 11:

@Dunning1874 - 0+6+6+1+3+3+1+1+1+6 = 28

@Andriy_Parmolenko - 0+7+1+1+1+3+1+4+2+0 = 20

Page 12:

@Diamonds_Are_Forever - 0+1+6+2+2+2+1+3+3+0 = 20

@CathcartSkins - 0+7+0+4+1+4+0+3+1+6 = 26

@Gibb20 - 0+0+0+2+3+3+2+1+5+0 = 16

Page 13:

@Acon - 0+4+6+2+3+3+0+4+4+0 = 26

Page 14:

@Salvo Montalbano - 0+1+6+2+3+1+1+4+2+0 = 20

@Hawk89 - 2+6+1+1+4+1+2+2+5+0 = 24

@Poet of the Macabre - 0+1+5+2+4+0+0+3+5+0 = 20

@Liam899 - 5+1+2+2+3+4+3+1+8+1 = 30

@Zanetti - 0+7+1+4+2+0+0+3+1+6 = 24

@AlwaysAPar - 0+3+0+2+3+3+3+1+1+0 = 16

@CityDave94 (the away days prediction!) - 8+1+4+1+5+4+1+2+8+6 = 40 

@Terry_Tibbs - 0+1+6+2+1+1+2+0+1+6 = 20

@The Naitch - 0+1+5+1+1+4+2+1+5+0 = 20

@Loon From Outta Toon - 0+1+6+2+1+1+3+3+1+0 = 18

@qpfc - 0+1+1+3+3+1+1+1+1+6 = 18

Page 15:

@snapper55 - 0+7+2+2+1+1+3+0+6+6 = 28

@keyser_soze - 1+1+2+2+2+2+2+5+5+0 = 22

Page 16:

@thisal - 0+5+6+2+1+3+1+3+5+0 = 26

Page 17:

@Fuctifano - 0+0+0+1+3+1+1+1+1+6 = 14

@Les Cabbage - 0+0+0+2+3+3+0+4+4+0 = 16

Page 18:

@Oberon43 - 0+4+0+2+0+4+1+1+5+1 = 18

@Rael Rover - 0+1+1+2+3+1+0+2+0+6 = 16

@D'Jaffo - 0+4+1+3+2+3+2+0+5+0 = 20

@Nightmare - 0+0+0+1+1+3+0+0+5+0 = 10

@Wildrover - 1+1+0+2+4+2+0+3+5+0 = 18

@oneteaminglasgow - 0+1+1+3+0+0+1+1+1+6 = 14

Page 19:

@The Ghost of B A R P - 0+0+2+1+2+0+2+4+1+2 = 14

@TxRover - 0+4+1+1+4+2+2+1+1+6 = 22

@AyrAtlanta - 0+4+6+3+0+3+5+0+5+0 = 26

@virginton - 0+4+0+2+0+2+2+1+1+6 = 18

Page 20:

@GuyIncognito - 0+0+4+1+0+0+1+4+0+0 = 10

@Grumpy Soo-sider - 0+1+1+4+1+3+0+2+5+5 = 22

@Juanhourjoe - 7+1+6+1+3+0+3+5+2+0 = 28

@Paisley Ton - 0+5+0+1+4+4+1+2+1+6 = 24

@GiGi - 0+4+1+4+2+1+0+2+0+6 = 20

@Ian Mcleod - 0+6+1+3+2+2+1+1+4+0 = 20

@Cyclops van Gogh 1867 - 7+7+2+2+0+3+1+1+5+0 = 28

@DG_RRFC - 0+0+0+1+3+1+1+1+5+0 = 12

Page 21:

@par-adise - 0+1+1+4+1+3+0+3+5+0 = 18

@Mr November - 0+1+1+2+0+1+2+4+1+0 = 14

@Theholyglove - 0+0+5+1+0+0+2+1+1+6 = 16

@ayrunitedfw - 0+1+4+2+1+3+1+3+5+0 = 20

@Arachnophile - 2+1+1+5+3+1+3+2+1+5 = 24

@Dysart - 2+1+6+2+2+2+5+3+1+6 = 30

@Ziggy - 0+0+0+1+4+0+1+1+1+6 = 14

@Gibby82 - 0+7+1+0+2+3+1+3+1+2 = 20

 

Synopsis:

All things considered, I feel like the standard of predictions for this season just past was quite high for the most part, though with a few obvious exceptions. There's always one team that punches far further above their weight than most expect, and of course this season it was Airdrie doing the shutting up with their excellent season (and that's not including winning the Challenge Cup!) Whether or not they sneak promotion from 4th place for a second straight year, their season to remember helped weigh down good predictions that could've been even better.

As for the disappointers, Queen's Park regressing from last year seems obvious now but plenty of folk early on felt they had it in them to push for play-offs again. Inverness however seemed to be a bigger surprise for predictions despite their sinking in the table last year. You could probably count on one hand the number of folk willing to say they'd be in or around the very bottom come season's end, but here we are.

Best Predictions:

Last season saw some really impressive scores, including the only single-digit score I've seen doing this over the last few years - a crazy 8 from the long-missing @Death in Vegas - and that stayed the case this season, but not without some bloody good attempts.

First of all, a 'fair play' to the 6 posters who finished with 14 points, those being @madton (who made his prediction all the way back on June 15th!), @Fuctifano, @oneteaminglasgow, @The Ghost of B A R P, @Mr November and @Ziggy.

On to the big sexy twelvers. The first to crack 12 points was @Heid_The_Baw, who went one better and also called Raith ending their hoodoo against ICT. Then there was... oh, me! Your humble host @RossBFaeDundee smashed this one, with only Airdrie being a blip. I should've known better after our League Cup game, and I even said so:

Ach well. The next two 12s came late on, with @HoBNob updating an already respectable 18 point prediction all the way back in June to improve on it, and finally @DG_RRFC throwing a solid attempt in the day before play began. The common killer? Airdrie, and to a lesser extent Queen's Park for all except me, who nailed QP but slightly overestimated Dunfermline and underestimated Caley Thistle. 

The crown this season though was shared between two posters who managed a formidable 10 points each. First up is @Nightmare with a dream of a prediction, as aside from Airdrie and QP was pretty much perfect. The other winner this year is @GuyIncognito, who saw the Spiders slipping but his pure love and belief in Ayr United the only other preventer of near-perfection. A very well done to the both of you!

Worst Predictions:

As I said in the synopsis, the average prediction was pretty decent compared to seasons past. There were only 7 predictions at 30 points or higher, which compared to last season is down by a third or so. Three posters managed 30 points exactly, with @ClydeTon managing it on his 3rd of 4(!) attempts, though admittedly I'm aware it was a less serious one as it was immediately after United were beat by Partick in their shambolic League Cup campaign and had them at the bottom with Arbroath top. I bring this up however, as had he swapped top and bottom he too would have been relaxing in the idyllic gardens of 12 points. Still, his last prediction garnered a respectable 22 points, so it's not all bad.

Next up was @Liam899, whose crystal ball which saw Dunfermline take the title and United relegated to Cove Rangers probably needs put in the bin, maybe don't buy them off Wish. The final 30 pointer came from @Dysart, whose faith in ICT as opposed to his own Raith Rovers resulted in this prediction. I'm sure he'll not be complaining Rovers did better than he thought they would though!

Two unfortunate souls made it to 32 points, with @Shooter McGavin first reaching the mark. The fact that having his beloved Airdrie as champions was one of his better predictions perhaps says something. @San Starko Rover was the other to hit this ill-fated mark, and prefaced it by claiming he was "normally way off". With ICT and QP in the play-offs and Partick and Airdrie in the bottom half, who am I to argue?

Only one prediction hit 34 points, the mark which three posters bottomed out with last season, and four posters the year before that. Impressively, it was with the very first effort as well. When you think of trying to predict a league six weeks before it even starts, before teams have even got settled squads, you imagine it'll be an utter crapshoot, but largely a disaster. Some of them turned out great (see madton earlier) but @Jives Miguel opened this thread with a doozy. With such an early prediction, you can dare to dream a little more, and naturally Jives had to place Morton at the top above all, with Dunfermline and ICT in the play-offs. Couple those with a Partick-Ayr-Airdrie bottom three, and we have a certified stinker. Jives would more than make up for it later down the line, with a revised, more modest prediction (Morton were only in 2nd) netted a much more creditable 18 points through a pretty solid bottom half call.

Last but not least however was @CityDave94, who eschewed predictions and instead compiled a table based on his feelings about the clubs, their fans and away days. So while not a proper prediction, his rankings would amass an unprecedented 40 points through Caley being #1, United deservedly being right at the bottom and other entertaining musings that I enjoyed enough to highlight. Curious to see how this table will look in League One next season!

Thank you all for participating!

Brilliant. Thanks for putting that together. I enjoyed reading this with my morning coffee. 

[itzdrk]

Thanks for doing the power of work and also including the updates! Some graft! 

Chuffed with the update score, my best ever I think.