44 players were still standing for Round 3. Five different teams had picked in this round – nobody could pick Chelsea, Manchester United, Newcastle or Tottenham due to the FA Cup semi-finals.

On Saturday afternoon, in the 3pm games, there was a relegation battle as Sheffield United took on Burnley at Bramhall Lane – Lewis Reilly and Melvin Pool had picked the Blades but a 4-1 defeat sees them crash out. In the Saturday evening game, Arsenal were looking to bounce back from last week’s defeat as they headed to Molineux to play Wolves – eight players had picked the Gunners and they progress with a 2-0 win. No entry was received from Kenny Rogers so he got Arsenal by default.
On Sunday afternoon, Aston Villa faced Bournemouth at Villa Park – twenty-five players were hoping for a Villa win – despite going a goal down they go through after a 3-1 win. In the later game, Fulham welcomed Liverpool to Craven Cottage – seven players were hoping that the Reds could get the wheels back on their title challenge and a 3-1 win sees them through.
Finally, on Thursday, Brighton host Manchester City at the Amex – Dave Phillips has picked the FA Cup finalists – gonna go out on a limb and say he is through but (seeing as he was my match going partner for around 25 years) I don’t think Dave would be too upset if I have jumped the gun too early and he actually does drop out on Thursday!!

ROUND 4
Saturday 27 April 2024
West Ham 12:30 Liverpool
Fulham 15:00 Crystal Palace
Man Utd 15:00 Burnley
Newcastle 15:00 Sheffield Utd
Wolves 15:00 Luton
Everton 17:30 Brentford
Aston Villa 20:00 Chelsea
Sunday 28 April 2024
Bournemouth 14:00 Brighton
Spurs 14:00 Arsenal
Nott’m Forest 16:30 Man City

44 players are still standing for Round 3. Five different teams have been picked in this round – nobody could pick Chelsea, Manchester United, Newcastle or Tottenham due to the FA Cup semi-finals.

On Saturday afternoon, in the 3pm games, there is a relegation battle as Sheffield United take on Burnley at Bramhall Lane – Lewis Reilly and Melvin Pool have picked the Blades in this one. In the Saturday evening game, Arsenal will be looking to bounce back from last week’s defeat as they head to Molineux to play Wolves – eight players have picked the Gunners. No entry was received from Kenny Rogers so he gets Arsenal by default.
On Sunday afternoon, Aston Villa face Bournemouth at Villa Park – twenty-five players are hoping for a Villa win. In the later game, Fulham welcome Liverpool to Craven Cottage – seven players are hoping that the Reds can get the wheels back on their title challenge.
Finally, on Thursday, Manchester City host Brighton at the Etihad – Dave Phillips has picked City.

ROUND 3
Sat, Apr 20
Luton 15:00 Brentford
Sheffield Utd 15:00 Burnley
Wolves 19:30 Arsenal
Sun, Apr 21
Everton 13:30 Nott’m Forest
Aston Villa 15:00 Bournemouth
Crystal Palace 15:00 West Ham
Fulham 16:30 Liverpool
Thu, Apr 25
Brighton 20:00 Man City
*Brighton v Chelsea
*Man Utd v Newcastle
*Tottenham v Man City
* postponed due to FA Cup semi-finals

 73 players were still standing for Round 2. Seven different teams were picked in this round.

On Saturday, in the 3pm games, Brentford hosted Sheffield United at the Gtech Community stadium – 13 players had picked the Bees to beat the Blades and they go through after a 2-0 win. Burnley welcomed Brighton to Turfmoor – Martin Brown, Martin Emmett and Steve Rogers had picked the Seagulls but they drop out after a 1-1 draw. Manchester City were hoping to boost their goal difference as Luton visited the Etihad – 30 players had picked City to win this one and a 5-1 win sees them comfortably through.
On Sunday, in the early game, Liverpool were hoping to regain some momentum as they faced Crystal Palace at Anfield – 20 players had picked the Reds but a 1-0 defeat puts them out. There was a London derby at the London Stadium as West Ham faced Fulham – Carl Jackson had picked the Hammers and he goes out after a 2-0 defeat. Later on, Arsenal played Aston Villa at the Etihad – Dave Latham, Eilish Doherty, Gary Nelson, Gisela Mowles and Ian O’Brien were hoping the Gunners were still top after this one, however, a 2-0 defeat sees them drop out.
Finally, on Monday night, Chelsea played Everton at Stamford Bridge – Josh Wignall had picked the London blues to win this one and he eased through with a 6-0 win.

ROUND 3
Sat, Apr 20
Luton 15:00 Brentford
Sheffield Utd 15:00 Burnley
Wolves 19:30 Arsenal
Sun, Apr 21
Everton 13:30 Nott’m Forest
Aston Villa 15:00 Bournemouth
Crystal Palace 15:00 West Ham
Fulham 16:30 Liverpool
Thu, Apr 25
Brighton 20:00 Man City
*Brighton v Chelsea
*Man Utd v Newcastle
*Tottenham v Man City
* postponed due to FA Cup semi-finals

Firstly, need to follow up from the mail at the start of the week and the rollover from Game 4. Rule 15 states: “In the event of a rollover pot any player who was not in the game where the pot was rolled over will have to pay a double fee to take part in the rollover game“. 9 players are in this current game who weren’t in game 4. 2 of them went out in Round 1 (before this issue) so I have contacted the other 7 players earlier in the week asking them to contribute an additional £5 each to the pot. 6 of them have agreed and paid the additional £5, so the pot now stands at £1010. Alex Ramsden was happy so stay as things are – so, in the event that Alex goes on to win, he would only win £485 and the pot from Game 4 would roll over to the first game of next season.

Right, now on to the main stuff……
73 players are still standing for Round 2. Six different teams have been picked in this round.

On Saturday, in the 3pm games, Brentford host Sheffield United at the Gtech Community stadium – 13 players have picked the Bees to beat the Blades. Burnley welcome Brighton to Turfmoor – Martin Brown, Martin Emmett and Steve Rogers have picked the Seagulls. Manchester City will be hoping to boost their goal difference as Luton visit the Etihad – 30 players have picked City to win this one.
On Sunday, in the early game, Liverpool will be hoping to regain some momentum as they face Crystal Palace at Anfield – 20 players have picked the Reds. There’s a London derby at the London Stadium as West Ham face Fulham – Carl Jackson has picked the Hammers. Later on, Arsenal play Aston Villa at the Etihad – Dave Latham, Eilish Doherty, Gary Nelson, Gisela Mowles and Ian O’Brien are hoping the Gunners are still top after this one.

ROUND 2

Saturday 13 April 2024
Newcastle 12:30 Spurs
Brentford 15:00 Sheffield Utd
Burnley 15:00 Brighton
Man City 15:00 Luton
Nott'm Forest 15:00 Wolves
Bournemouth 17:30 Man Utd
Sunday 14 April 2024
Liverpool 14:00 Crystal Palace
West Ham 14:00 Fulham
Arsenal 16:30 Aston Villa
Monday 15 April 2024
Chelsea 20:00 Everton

The final game of the season started this weekend. 97 players had opted in for this game – meaning a prize pot of £485. Eight different teams were picked in this round.

On Saturday, in the lunchtime game and the opening fixture of this new game, Crystal Palace hosted Manchester City at Selhurst Park – 24 players were hoping City could keep their momentum going in the race for the title – and (despite going a goal down) a 4-2 win saw them through. In the 3pm games, Aston Villa play Brentford at Villa Park – 12 players had picked Villa but they bow out after a 3-3 draw (after leading 2-0!!). There was a crunch relegation battle at Goodison Park as Everton faced Burnley – 9 players had picked the Toffees to come out on top in this one and a 1-0 win was enough to put them through. Fulham hosted Newcastle at Craven Cottage – Carl Jackson had picked the Magpies and he also goes through after a 1-0 win. In the teatime game, Brighton welcome Arsenal to the Amex – Dan Milton, Pauline Jackson and Peter Donnelly Snr had picked the Gunners and they go through after a 3-0 win.
On Sunday, in the early game, Manchester United welcomed Liverpool to Old Trafford – Bill Murphy was hoping that Liverpool could stay on top with a win here but a 2-2 draw sees him drop out. After that, Sheffield United took on Chelsea at Bramhall Lane – 11 players were looking for a Chelsea win but were let down with a 2-2 draw. In the final game of the weekend, Tottenham faced Nottingham Forest at the Tottenham stadium – 36 players had picked Spurs in this one and they progressed with a 3-1 win.

ROUND 2

Saturday 13 April 2024
Newcastle 12:30 Spurs
Brentford 15:00 Sheffield Utd
Burnley 15:00 Brighton
Man City 15:00 Luton
Nott'm Forest 15:00 Wolves
Bournemouth 17:30 Man Utd
Sunday 14 April 2024
Liverpool 14:00 Crystal Palace
West Ham 14:00 Fulham
Arsenal 16:30 Aston Villa
Monday 15 April 2024
Chelsea 20:00 Everton

 We were down to just 5 players after only 4 rounds. Two different teams were picked in this round – nobody could pick Arsenal or Liverpool. This also meant that the pot could not be won outright in this round!

 On Saturday, in the 3pm games, Aston Villa faced Brentford at Villa Park – David Hayhoe, Gerry Doherty and Olly Woodward were hoping Villa keep their push for 4th place going and when Villa went 2-0 up they must have thought they were safely through to Round 6. However, the game finished 3-3 and they went out.
On Sunday afternoon, Sheffield United hosted Chelsea at Bramhall Lane – Gary Nelson and Tony Raybould were hoping that the Blades stay rooted at the bottom after another defeat. They did stay rooted at the bottom but a 2-2 draw means that Gary and Tony also exit!!

Sorry – ended up volunteering at parkrun this morning and got waylaid!!

One final game of the season – 8 rounds of games left and there’s bound to be plenty of twists and turns as the season draws to a conclusion. 97 players have opted in for this game – meaning a prize pot of £485. Eight different teams have been picked in this round.

On Saturday, in the lunchtime game and the opening fixture of this new game, Crystal Palace host Manchester City at Selhurst Park – 24 players are hoping City can keep their momentum going in the race for the title. In the 3pm games, Aston Villa play Brentford at Villa Park – 12 players have picked Villa. There’s a crunch relegation battle at Goodison Park as Everton face Burnley – 9 players have picked the Toffees to come out on top in this one. Fulham host Newcastle at Craven Cottage – Carl Jackson has picked the Magpies. In the teatime game, Brighton welcome Arsenal to the Amex – Dan Milton, Pauline Jackson and Peter Donnelly Snr have picked the Gunners.
On Sunday, in the early game, Manchester United welcome Liverpool to Old Trafford – Bill Murphy is hoping the league leaders can stay on top with a win here. After that, Sheffield United take on Chelsea at Bramhall Lane – 11 players are looking for a Chelsea win. In the final game of the weekend, Tottenham face Nottingham Forest at the Tottenham stadium – 36 players have picked Spurs in this one. 

ROUND 1
Saturday 6 April 2024
Crystal Palace 12:30 Man City
Aston Villa 15:00 Brentford
Everton 15:00 Burnley
Fulham 15:00 Newcastle
Luton 15:00 Bournemouth
Wolves 15:00 West Ham
Brighton 17:30 Arsenal
Sunday 7 April 2024
Man Utd 15:30 Liverpool
Sheffield Utd 17:30 Chelsea
Spurs 18:00 Nott’m Forest

We are down to just 5 players after only 4 rounds – which means the pot will be won! Two different teams have been picked in this round – nobody could pick Arsenal or Liverpool. This also means that the pot cannot be won outright in this round!

On Saturday, in the 3pm games, Aston Villa face Brentford at Villa Park – David Hayhoe, Gerry Doherty and Olly Woodward are hoping Villa keep their push for 4th place going.
On Sunday afternoon, Sheffield United host Chelsea at Bramhall Lane – Gary Nelson and Tony Raybould are hoping that the Blades stay rooted at the bottom after another defeat.

ROUND 5
Saturday 6 April 2024
Crystal Palace 12:30 Man City
Aston Villa 15:00 Brentford
Everton 15:00 Burnley
Fulham 15:00 Newcastle
Luton 15:00 Bournemouth
Wolves 15:00 West Ham
Brighton 17:30 Arsenal
Sunday 7 April 2024
Man Utd 15:30 Liverpool
Sheffield Utd 17:30 Chelsea
Spurs 18:00 Nott’m Forest