Yellow Cat Cup – odds and preview

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YC CUP winners

After the huge success of the Yellow Cat Cup, it returns for its second year. Will the holder Jonny Breeze’s Dirty Rent Boys be able to retain his title? We’ve asked a local bookmaker for the odds of each competitor.

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AFC Hold the Front Page – 2/1

AFC HtFP started the season well but have drifted a little since. Injuries have not helped the team, but with the squad almost at full fitness we expect them to regain some of their early season form.  3rd in the points per minutes table, despite their injury issues, and having topped the northern points league 3 times, we expect them to have a strong Cup run and have them as favourite to win their group.

Barker’s Bertrands – 3/1

Barker’s Bertrands were one of the surprise packages in last season’s YCC, defying their outsider odds and narrowly losing out to Jonny Breeze. This current season we have them ranked 2nd of the northern entries largely as they are in great form with a surge up the table in recent Gameweeks. Their injury list is high, however with in form loanee Jamie Vardy shooting freely and the manager’s love for a cup run we feel they will again be the surprise package of the North.

Baines on Toast – 4/1

Manager Singh has made it clear from the start of the season that he only has eyes for this illusive trophy. Working his players hard in training to get them in position for this competition has cost them dearly as they have lost their key player, Dimitri Payet, to injury. The manager has gambled on replacing him with Ross Barkley, however losing the lynch pin of their team on the eve of the competition has no doubt hurt their manager’s chances of getting his hands on that little yellow cat.

AFC Hold the Front Page – 44/1

Deeney’s Donkeys face an uphill battle having only topped the Northern points chart once in the first 12 gameweeks. A team that features the dynamic duo of Aguero and Deeney will always offer hope, however a seemingly unstoppable run of propping up the league table has left a terrible sense of doom around the manager and team. The silver lining for manager Jonny Wild is the performance of Jonny Breeze in last years YCC and the hope that the fans get excited about a cup run and cease their baying for the manager’s head.

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(Don’t) Blame it on the Wijis – Evens

Top of both the league and points per minute table and having topped the southern points chart 5 times, it is clear that the Wiji’s are in strong form going in to this cup competition. This, combined with the imminent return of David Silva, has the Wiji’s as this years favourite to be lifting the little yellow cat this year. The one concern will be whether the manager can cope with the pressure as favourites, especially having disappointed so spectacularly in the European Cup final earlier this season.

LWC – 2/1

Blessed with a largely clean injury record (2nd in the total minutes played table), LWC have had a solid start to the season. The exciting combination of Ayew, Mane and Kane is supported by the solid due of Toby Toby Alderweireld and Craig Dawson. LWC would have been considered favourites but for the long term injuries to Jagielka and Henderson. If either are able to return early in the cup competition then there is real hope for manage Whitham.

Dirty Rent Boys – 6/1 

The holder goes into the competition in a similar manner to last year. Going in to the first game without a recognised goal keeper is a brave stance, however they are blessed with gifted players who could score well on a given day. Last seasons we learned to our cost about writing off this manager based on the performances to date, however we feel it would be hard for manager Breeze to retain the little yellow cat.

We all fist the Ozil – 7/1 

Injuries and omissions have cost the team heavily so far this season, having played 2,840 minutes less than Baines on Toast. Arguably the most creative of midfields (Mata and Ozil) are let down by underperforming strikers (Costa and Diouf). Whilst the injury list has largely cleared up, manager Bingham will feel himself unlucky to be in such a competitive division – which may be why rumours of the team relocating further north won’t go away.

European Cup – Team sheets

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(Don’t) blame it on the Wijis

Fraser (GK) – VICE CAPTAIN

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Against doctors orders, Fraser is determined to play in such a prestigious final. The Wiji’s are currently in discussions with the FA to clear the use of a mobility scooter in a competitive game.

Seamus (DF)

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With all 4 defenders meeting in fixtures against each other, selecting two has been a difficult decision for me. Seamus’ attacking ability should work well for what is expected to be a counter-attacking Wiji line up.

Per (DF) – CAPTAIN

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Per “Fabio” Mertesacker has been bouncing off the walls all week. Fearing he was a soft touch, at the start of the season Big Dunc whisked him away for a Wilderness Survival experience. Dropped in deepest, darkest Scunthorpe and armed only with a swiss army knife, Per’s inner animal was brought out over the course of 3 weeks. I am picking him largely because I fear what he will do to me if I don’t.

Santi (MD)

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The joker of the team. Not a training session goes by without this little scamp pulling off some outrageous prank. With the exception of Big Dunc and Per, no-one is spared the bantz from the cheeky Spaniard. A relatively slow start to the season has not dampened his spirits and I’m banking on a return to form on Monday night.

Wiji-Wiji (MD)

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It would not be right if I did not select the founding father of (Don’t) blame it on the Wijis. Wiji-Wiji has exploded into the premiership and I’m banking on him continuing his form in a tricky away tie at United.

Big Rom (FW)

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Symmetry is a big factor in my managerial philosophy. 2 Reds already selected needs 2 Blues to match. Big Rom has been quiet and relaxed all week; focused on the task in hand. Up against a team that are yet to concede a goal could be a concern, but Big Rom is focused and I have full confidence in him leading my line.

Penalty Order:

Big Rom, Santi, Wiji Wiji, Seamus, Per

 

Baines on Toast

Marty (GK)

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A big final needs experience. 52 caps for Holland, Edwin van der Saar’s understudy in the Dutch team, the product of the Ajax academy oozes confidence. Yes he is deaf in one ear (true!) but he makes up for it with an amazing sense of smell. This man is ready for war!

Jan the Man (DF)

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Another product of the Ajax academy. He has worked well with the de Boer brothers and Marty. Another man with great international experience. 69 caps for Belgium, a leader of my defence. A man who has a habit of scoring the odd goal. Perhaps a European cup winning goal?? Worth noting in 2011, Marty was club captain at Ajax, with Jan as his Vice captain. Great chemistry.

Hector (DF)

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To counteract the experience, I’ve thrown in a little spark of youth. And what a spark! This 20 year old product of the famed Barca academy has pace. Serious pace! It’s this pace we hope can exploit the wiji back line. Help stretch the field to allow my midfielders do what they do best. Hector, named after the Trojan warrior, was born and bred for this occasion.

Dimitri “the fifth horseman” Payet (MD)

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The man from the little island of Reunion. An island near Madagascar famed for being the outermost region of the EU. A quick thinking player blessed with terrific technique is a contender for player of the European cup. The standout player for BOT, his enthusiasm had driven this team to success. With 15 caps for France, he continues the BOT trend of international experience for the big final.

Yaya “the elegance” Toure (MD) – CAPTAIN

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Oh captain, my captain. The heart and soul of my team. What can I say that’s not been said before….

Yaya Touré is a practising Muslim, once turning down the traditional Man-of-the-Match champagne after a league game against Newcastle United in keeping with his religious beliefs. After this, the Premier League introduced a rose water and pomegranate drink as an alternative prize for Muslim players. In October 2013, Touré joined a campaign against elephant poaching, becoming a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme. We all know about tragic death of his younger brother. That bereavement has become the rallying cry of Baines on Toast. We are doing this for Ibrahim Toure. 95 international caps, champions league winner, I dare Mike Toal to show me something that Yaya has never seen!!

Wayne “earthquake” Rooney (FW) – VICE CAPTAIN

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Continuing the theme of experience, I’ve opted for former champions league winner Wayne to spearhead our attack. The older brother of John Rooney, (who was selected in the 2nd round of the MLS draft by the New York red bulls). Wayne has not had the best start to the season. However my top forward in the semi has a hunger for European action. The first premier league footballer to reach 10 million twitter followers, he’s ready to put on a show for his fans. 105 England caps, 48 international goals, 170 premier league goals, Mike be afraid, be very afraid. What’s that I feel?? An earthquake tremor!! BOOOOOOOOOOM!!

Penalty Order:
Rooney, Payet, Yaya, Jan the man, Hector

 

European Cup – Press conference

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Press Association:

(Don’t) blame it on the Wijis (Mike Toal) take on Baines on Toast (Gurj Singh) in the inaugural European Cup Final. The current league leaders vs. last season’s champions. It’s a fascinating encounter and one not to miss!

From the (Don’t) blame it on the Wijis camp…

Mike Toal:

“This has been the most difficult week of my managerial life. The decision on who is left out of the biggest game of football is something that has left me with sleepless nights. I have had players calling me up in tears, begging me to select them for this match. If I did not have Big Dunc to act as my crutch I fear I may have crumbled.

The final has coincided with an unfortunate fixture list, with my players being pitted against each other. But this is the European Cup final. Overcoming challenges like these are why I am a manager.

I looked forward to meeting up with Gurjeet for the final. We have had a long friendship and shared many a glass of wine. This will be a hard fought contest and I can safely say that whoever is left holding the trophy at the end of the gameweek, Football is the winner.

This is the team I predict from Gurj: “Stekelenburg, Bellerin, Vertonghen, Payet, Yaya Toure, Rooney”

From the Baines on Toast camp…

Gurj Singh:

“There’s always been something gloriously special about football’s European Cup final. The most important club match anywhere in the world every year, the occasion has produced countless wonderful images and moments, not to mention great performances and memorable drama.

On the eve of this great final, I find myself thinking, is there anyone I would rather be playing tomorrow. A decent friend is fairly easy to come by, but a great friend, a truly like-minded and like-hearted individual with whom you share that special alchemy, is a rare gift. Let this European cup final be about friendship and love between a commissioner and his administrator.”

This is the team I predict from Mike: “Forster, Clyne, Coleman, Cazorla, Silva, Lukaku”

European cup – Semi final predictions

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Match One

First game FC Gurjeet (28) vs. AFC Hold The Front Page (18)

Preview:With the likely outcome of AFC Hold The Front Page only playing with 5 players, both BreezeBets and Official Fantasy Football Scout, can’t see anything but quite a convincing home win, and ultimately an easy aggregate win for the League Winners last year. Gurjeet Singh holds a 3-0 record over manager Ben Wild, with their last head to head coming in the inaugural OBT Cup last season.

BreezeBets prediction: FC Gurjeet to win game 33 points to 21.
Official Fantasy Football Scout prediction: FC Gurjeet to win 23.4 points to 16.6
Odds (to qualify): FC Gurjeet 1/8, Draw 25/1, AFC Hold The Front Page 18/1

 

Match Two

First game We all Fist the Ozil (26) vs. (Don’t) Blame it on the Wijis (26)

Preview:The game couldn’t be more evenly poised, given the fantastic even contest in the first leg. However Mikey Toal will have been the happier of the 2 managers and takes his team back to the Wiji stadium as slight favourites to qualify for the European Cup final. In previous head to head matches from last season’s Yellow Cat Cup, it is 1-1 in results, both home wins. Tight affair and the more exciting of the ties

BreezeBets prediction: (Don’t) blame it on the Wijis to win game 23 points to 12.
Official Fantasy Football Scout prediction: (Don’t) blame it on the Wijis to win 18.8 points to 13.4
Odds (to qualify): (Don’t) blame it on the Wijis 4/11, Draw 16/1, We all Fist the Ozil 9/2

OBT Cup Final

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Wickham Wanderers vs Clowne FC

 

The Final is here and what a final we have in store for you…

 

Form guide:

Wickham Wanderers have outperformed Clowne FC in 4 of the last 6 gameweeks.

 

Head to Head:

 

Week 14:   Wickham Wanderers 32 vs. Clowne FC 16   (Group Stage – Yellow Cat Cup)

Week 17:   Clowne FC 31 vs. Wickham Wanderers 46   (Group Stage – Yellow Cat Cup)

 

Wickham Wanderers have won both previous meetings between the sides.

 

Points predictions:

 

Wickham Wanderers:

Goalkeeper: 6

Defence: 10

Midfield: 15-20

Attack: 15

TOTAL: 46-51

 

Clowne FC:

Goalkeeper: 6

Defence: 8

Midfield: 10-15

Attack: 5-10

TOTAL: 29-39

 

Potential Key Players:

 

Wickham Wanderers:   Phillippe Coutinho, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Sergio Aguero, Olivier Giroud

Clowne FC:   Branislav Ivanovic, Mesut Ozil, Wayne Rooney

 

Think Tank Prediction:

 

Played at a neutral ground there is no home advantage, so it’s purely a race for the points. We are predicting that Wickham Wanderers will score anywhere between 46 and 51 points, and Clowne FC to be in the 29-39 points bracket. Therefore for the result prediction we are going: Wickham Wanderers 78.4% / Draw 18.7% / Clowne FC 2.9% (although we still can’t really work out how this is possible).

 

Official Odds (Oscar’s Newsagents):

 

Wickham Wanderers: 1/4

Draw: 9/2

Clowne FC: 8/1

Semi final weekend – match two

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Wickham Wanderers vs The Fairies
1st play 5th in this potential one-sided affair.
Form guide:
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Wickham Wanderers have outperformed The Fairies in all 6 of the most recent gameweeks.
Head to Head:
No past results.
Points predictions:
Wickham Wanderers:
Goalkeeper: 2
Defence: 15-20
Midfield: 15
Attack: 15
TOTAL: 47-52
The Fairies:
Goalkeeper: 6
Defence: 5-10
Midfield: 20
Attack: 5
TOTAL: 36-41
Potential Key Players:
Wickham Wanderers:   David Silva, Phillippe Coutinho, Sergio Aguero, Olivier Giroud
The Fairies:   Eden Hazard, Raheem Sterling
Think Tank Prediction:
With home advantage, a team on form and at the top of the league, we can’t see anything other than a Wickham Wanderers win here. Eden Hazard (captain – double points) holds the key if The Fairies stand a chance of trying to pinch a draw in this very one-sided fixture. If we take the minimum of what we expect Wickham Wandereres will score (47) then add 5 for home advantage we get to 52. If we take the maximum we believe The Fairies will score (41) then they still come up short.
Official Odds (Oscar’s Newsagents):
Wickham Wanderers: 1/3
Draw: 9/2
The Fairies: 10/1

Semi final weekend – match one

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Gary Jones FC vs Clowne FC

2nd play 4th in this eagerly anticipated clash.

Form guide:

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Clowne FC have outperformed Gary Jones FC for the last 3 gameweeks.

Head to Head:

No past results.

Points predictions:

Gary Jones FC:

Goalkeeper 6

Defence: 15-20

Midfield: 15-20

Attack: 5

TOTAL: 41-51

Clowne FC:

Goalkeeper: 3

Defence: 15-20

Midfield: 15

Attack: 10-15

TOTAL: 43-53

Potential Key Players:

Gary Jones FC:   Alexis Sanchez, Romelu Lukaku

Clowne FC:   Sadio Mane, Wayne Rooney, Diego Costa, Mesit Ozil

Think Tank Prediction:

With a larger selection of big match players we believe that Clowne FC will try and come out and dictate play. If there’s a big week from Mr Costa (captain – double points) we would predict a win for Clowne FC. They are the team in form and even with a -5 points start, we believe that 2nd in the league could be at threat, even at their hostile ground.

Official Odds (Oscar’s Newsagents):

Gary Jones FC: 13/10

Draw: 12/5

Clowne FC: 12/5

Making Gary Jones favourites by the bookies