Not only does the EFL kick off this week, but, of course, the CL Prediction League kicks off as well.
Everyone is welcome to join and show the world how much you know about football. The rules are simple - just pick three games from the weekly list that is published (usually on a Wednesday) and use your expert knowledge to predict the final score. It's as easy as that - you will score 3 points for a correct score and 1 point for a correct result. You can also win a bonus point if you are the only person to get the correct score for a particular game, as well as an extra point if you get three correct scores. Each week (usually on Monday or Tuesday), the results and league tables are published with weekly awards for outstanding (or dire) performances. The full rules, if you can be bothered to read them, are on the second post this week.Are there any prizes? Well, the winners of the League and Cup win Virtual Trophies, a lot of kudos on Charlton Life, plus the glory of being on the CL Prediction League Honours Board forever (which is also virtual
). This year, however, the winner of the Prediction League will win a £100 prize, which they can donate to a charity of their choice.
So, here are the games to choose from for Week 1. There are no Premier League games, so we are stuck with far too many League One dross games this week (but not for much longer!). However, pick your favoured three and good luck. And remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint.
Championship
Birmingham City v Ipswich Town (Friday 2000)
Charlton Athletic v Watford (Saturday 1230)
Southampton v Wrexham (Saturday 1230)
Middlesbrough v Swansea City (Saturday 1500)
Norwich City v Millwall (Saturday 1500)
Oxford United v Portsmouth (Saturday 1500)
Queens Park Rangers v Preston North End (Saturday 1500)
Stoke City v Derby County (Saturday 1500)
League One
Peterborough United v Luton Town (Saturday 1230)
Reading v Huddersfield Town (Saturday 1230)
AFC Wimbledon v Lincoln City (Saturday 1500)
Bolton Wanderers v Plymouth Argyle (Saturday 1500)
Exeter City v Blackpool (Saturday 1500)
Leyton Orient v Wigan Athletic (Saturday 1500)
Northampton Town v Bradford City (Saturday 1500)
Wycombe Wanderers v Stockport County (Saturday 1500)
Guest fixtures
Crystal Palace v Liverpool (Community Shield Sunday 1500)
Dundee United v Hearts (Scottish Premiership Sunday 1500)
Hibernian v Kilmarnock (Scottish Premiership Sunday 1500)
Comments
Prediction League rules
General
Each week, several games will be listed; you must make your selection from this list. You need to choose any three games. If you pick more than three games, only the first three will count unless there are specific instructions to the contrary. If you choose fewer than three games, only the games chosen will count. You must state the teams participating and select your predicted score for each match chosen. The first named team should be the home team and the second named team should be the away team. If the game takes place at a neutral ground, the teams should be listed in the same order as the published list of matches available. Note: Avoid jokes with team names as I have to edit your entries for the scoring system to work automatically – please, nothing like Stripey Wotsits v Blaydon Races mob.
Errors in posting
Regardless of whether a prediction is correct or not, zero points will be awarded in the following circumstances:
• Where the prediction is not in the list of matches available
• Where one or both of the teams are unclear or wrong
• Where a game has already kicked off at the time that the prediction is made
• Where one or both of the goals scored is missing or ambiguous
Scores used
The reported scores on the BBC Football website will be used when checking the predictions. If a game is abandoned, the score at the time of the abandonment will count. If a game goes to extra time, the score at the end of normal time will count in all cases. Where a game is postponed, no points will be scored unless the game was originally scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday is replayed by the Monday following the original date.
Posting errors
All matches on the list indicate the date and time of each game. While every effort will be made to ensure there are no errors, it will be the responsibility of the person making the predictions that the dates and times are correct and/or whether a date/time has been changed after the list being posted.
Postponements
When a game is postponed, a competitor may choose an alternative game for each postponed game. This selection can be made after the scheduled kick-off time of the postponed game but must be before the kick-off time of the alternative choice.
Reposting
A competitor can repost predictions at any time provided the above rules are followed. Where predictions are reposted, whether intentionally or unintentionally, the latest post will in all cases replace any earlier posts.
Points awarded
Subject to the conditions above, 3 points will be awarded for a correct score, 1 point for a correct result and no points for an incorrect result. A bonus point will be added for three correct scores. A bonus point will be added for a correct score if no one else has predicted the correct score.
Forgetting to post/not posting your predictions
You are allowed to miss three weeks over the season. If you make no post, you will score the week’s average, rounded to the nearest whole number for that week. For the final week, you will score zero points if you fail to make any predictions.
Disputes
Where there are any disputes, the organiser will try to resolve the matter as quickly as possible. If a resolution cannot be reached, a vote between the organiser and a moderator will rule on the dispute.
Bolton Wanderers v Plymouth Argyle - 2-1
Middlesbrough v Swansea City - 1-1
Reading v Huddersfield Town 1-2
Charlton Athletic v Watford 1-2
Middlesbrough v Swansea City 2-0
Norwich City v Millwall 2-0
Southampton v Wrexham 2-1
Southampton v Wrexham 2-1
Crystal Palace v Liverpool 1-2
Hibs v Kilmarnock 2-1
Reading v Huddersfield 1-2
Oxford United v Portsmouth 0-1
Peterborough United v Luton Town 1-1
Bolton Wanderers v Plymouth Argyle 2-0
Crystal Palace v Liverpool 0-2
Palars v Liverpool 1-3
Norwich v Millwall 2-1
Norwich City v Millwall 2-1
Oxford United v Portsmouth 1-1
Queens Park Rangers v Preston North End 2-1
Oxford United v Portsmouth 1-1
Bolton Wanderers v Plymouth Argyle 2-1
Norwich City v Millwall 2-1
Crystal Palace v Liverpool 1-2
Queens Park Rangers v Preston North End 2-1
Reading v Huddersfield Town 0-2
Dundee United v Hearts 1-2
AFC Wimbledon v Lincoln 1-0
Queens Park Rangers v Preston North End 2-0
Stoke City v Derby County 2-1
Queens Park Rangers v Preston North End 2-1
Crystal Palace v Liverpool 1-2
Norwich City v Millwall 1-0
Crystal Palace v Liverpool 0-2
Leyton Orient v Wigan 0-1
Birmingham v Ipswich 1-1
Leyton Orient v Wigan Athletic 2-0
Reading v Huddersfield Town 2-1
Reading v Huddersfield Town 1-2
Middlesbrough v Swansea City 1:1
Leyton Orient v Wigan Athletic 1-0
Crystal Palace v Liverpool 0-2
Charlton Athletic 2-0 Watford
Wycombe Wanderers 1-2 Stockport County
Reading v Huddersfield Town 1-1
AFC Wimbledon v Lincoln City 1-1
Bolton Wanderers 2 Plymouth Argyle 0
Northampton Town 1 Bradford City 2
Norwich City 2-1 Millwall
Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool
Exeter v Blackpool 0-2
Southampton v Wrexham 3-1
Bolton 2 Plymouth 0
Crystal Palace 1 Liverpool 3