GRADED: Minor League Season Predictions

[By-Tor]

Minor League Season Predictions

The minor league starts today, and while most of us have already submitted our predictions for how the season will pan out, I would like to take a second look for the benefit of both the sandbaggers and my bank account. While not too much can be gleaned from two preseason friendly matches, we can see which teams won, who the top offenses and defenses were and trends that could continue through the regular season. 

Friendly Day 1:

Krung Thep // 6-2 // Magyar

Kaapstad // 4-2 // North Shore

London // 1-0 // Cairo

Montreal // 3-1 // Seoul

Paris // 2-1 // Athenai

Friendly Day 2:

Montreal // 2-0 // North Shore

Krung Thep // 8-5 // London

Kaapstad // 7-0 // Athenai

Seoul // 3-1 // Magyar

Paris // 4-1 // Cairo

Standings after Preseason

Kaapstad // 2 Wins // +9 GD

Krung Thep // 2 Wins // +7 GD

Montreal // 2 Wins // +4 GD

Paris // 2 Wins // +4 GD

London // 1 W, 1 L // -2 GD

North Shore // 2 Loss // -4 GD

Cairo // 2 Loss // -4 GD

Magyar // 2 Loss / -6 GD

Athenai // 2 Loss // -8 GD

Kaapstad, our runners up last year, sit atop the preseason standings with two wins and a goal differential of +9. Granted, 7 of those positive goals came in a game against bottom dweller Athenai, but still. Reigning champs Montreal also find themselves near the top, in third position after two friendlies. Krung Thep, one of the new blood teams, rocketed out to a blazing start and sit second after the preseason matches. Cairo, Athenai, and London, the worst teams in league play last year, continue to lose in the preseason friendlies for Season 20. Magyar, the other new team, joins them near the bottom and will look to turn things around before too long. 

The teams by goals scored after two matches are:

Krung Thep - 14 goals

Kaapstad - 11 goals

Paris - 6 goals

London - 6 goals

Montreal - 5 goals

Seoul - 4 goals

Magyar - 3 goals

North Shore - 2 goals

Cairo - 1 goal

Athenai - 1 goal

Krung Thep takes the mantle in this department and looks to be very dangerous coming into MD1. They've scored more goals than the bottom 5 teams combined in just two games. Kaapstad is also doing well with a high total of 11 goals in two preseason matches. The teams with two losses, North Shore, Cairo, Magyar, and Athenai, need to figure out a way to score more goals or their hopes for success in league play will be quickly dashed. 

The teams by the least goals against after two matches are:

Montreal - 1 goal

Kaapstad - 2 goals

Paris - 2 goals

Seaoul - 4 goals

Cairo - 5 goals

North Shore - 6 goals

Krung Thep - 7 goals

London - 8 goals

Magyar - 9 goals

Athenai - 9 goals

Montreal, Kaapstad, and Paris have had a great showing of defense in the two friendly matches. The other teams really need to tighten things up. For Krung Thep, our top goal scorers, if they can limit goals against they will have a great chance of success. 

After looking at these numbers for and against each team, I think the season will shake out like this:

Final League Standing Predictions

Krung Thep

Kaapstad

Montreal

London

Paris

Seoul

North Shore

Cairo

Magyar

Athenai

I think newcomers Krung Thep take the Minor league by storm and capture a league victory in their first year of existence. They have the firepower and skill to overcome all opponents and will figure out a way to tighten up on the back end. 

[DivogoJota]

Boss, I put on my glasses but I still see no lies.

[Daleks]

This article REEKS of STINKY BIAS.

If Krung Thep wins the minor league in its first season, I am drawing a picture of TontoTut and putting it as my forum avatar. And I'll change my signature as well! That is how confident I am that this will not happen!

[By-Tor]

This article REEKS of STINKY BIAS.

If Krung Thep wins the minor league in its first season, I am drawing a picture of TontoTut and putting it as my forum avatar. And I'll change my signature as well! That is how confident I am that this will not happen!

Deal! Make sure you start picking out a great pen for that drawing!

[Daleks]

This article REEKS of STINKY BIAS.

If Krung Thep wins the minor league in its first season, I am drawing a picture of TontoTut and putting it as my forum avatar. And I'll change my signature as well! That is how confident I am that this will not happen!

Deal! Make sure you start picking out a great pen for that drawing!

Don't mind if I do! I'll use it for things that are actually realistic! Such as... writing mail in the year 2025. And signing my deliveries!