The first LMS game of the season kicked off this weekend. I had missed an entry on the first update (Paul Allman) so we now have 107 entries for this game, meaning a prize pot of £535. All ten fixtures featured with twelve different teams picked in this opening round.
Friday night saw the opening game at Selhurst Park between Crystal Palace and Arsenal – Gareth Hamilton, Jack Lockley and Sandra Emmett had picked the Gooners and go through with a 2-0 win.
Saturday lunchtime game saw newly promoted Fulham taking on the Liverpool, at Craven Cottage – 17 players had picked the Reds to make a winning start but a 2-2 draw sees them become the first players to exit this game. In the 3pm games, Bournemouth welcomed Aston Villa to the Vitality Stadium on their return to the top flight – Jenny Rothwell had picked Bournemouth, while Kyle McLellan, Peter Donnelly Snr and Lee Abbott had picked Villa – a 2-0 win for Bournemouth sees Jenny through and an exit for Kyle, Peter and Lee. Leeds took on Wolves at Elland Road – Gary Donely had picked the Yorkshire men with Dave Weston and Greg Roberts both fancying Wolves – it’s Gary who goes through after a 2-1 win for Leeds. Newcastle faced Nottingham Forest at St James’ Park – 20 players tipped the Geordies to kick off with a win and they go through after a 2-0 win. Tottenham played Southampton at the Tottenham Stadium – 43 players made Spurs the favourites in this round – a convincing 4-1 win saw them safely through. In the Saturday evening game, Everton faced Chelsea at Goodison Park – Andy Burns had tipped Chelsea to win here and goes through after a 1-0 win.
Onto Sunday, Leicester entertained Brentford at the King Power Stadium – Neil Metcalf, Elliot Mitchell, Nick Breakspear and Lisa Mensah had picked the Foxes to win but a 2-2 draw sees them go out. Manchester United started the Ten Haag era with a vist to Old Trafford from Brighton – 9 players had picked United here but a 2-1 win for the Seagulls takes them out as well. The final game of the opening weekend saw West Ham host the champions, Manchester City, at the London Stadium – Ste Matthews and Vikki Darby had picked City and both go through after a 2-0 win.
So, 35 players exit at the first hurdle, leaving 72 players still standing for Round 2. Deadline for Round 2 is NOON on Friday 12th August.
Martin's footy stuff 