2026-10-20, 06:24 AM - Word count:
Hello! Today we'll be reviewing (and grading!) my predictions made before the start of the season for the positioning and record of each time. Majors this week, minors next week, see you then!
Division 1
1. Shanghai
PREDICTED Finish: 1st, 8 - 2 - 2 (26 points)
ACTUAL Finish: 1st, 8 - 2 - 2 (26 points)
Prediction Grade: A+
Not to bad or anything but I freaking nailed this prediction. Literally perfect. Bang! Look at me go! I mentioned Shanghai's offense as a point in their favor, and they didn't let me down - they scored 27 goals, the most of any team in division 1. They did continue their upward momentum following last season's cup win, so hats off to me for this one.
2. Tenochtitlan
PREDICTED Finish: 2nd, 8 - 1 - 3 (25 points)
ACTUAL Finish: 4th, 4 - 4 - 4 (16 points)
Prediction Grade: D
I was off by just a little bit here. Just a bit. 9 points is pretty bad, and the start of a pretty rough run of predictions for me. I thought Tenochtitlan would have a good defense (very wrong), and an improved offense (sort of right). Their defense was middle of the pack, but they allowed eight more goals than third place. The offense finished 3rd in goals again, with 26, but that wasn't enough to carry them (and/or they didn't score at opportune times and instead piled on against bad teams. I haven't checked.)
3. Liffeyside
PREDICTED Finish: 3rd/4th, 6 - 2 - 4 (20 points)
ACTUAL Finish: 6th, 3 - 2 - 7 (11 points)
Prediction Grade: D-
Another 9 point miss! I'm nothing if not consistent, I guess. They had pretty average TPE again this season and I thought they could out perform again but they could not. For most of the season they were in 7th but managed to claw their way out, but they still lost their relegation match so they'll be spending the next season in division 2. I was worried about their offense and it managed to get worse as they scored 3 fewer goals this season than last season. The main difference between seasons, though, was their defending, which went from allowing 20 goals to allowing 28 goals. Onwards to the next one!
4. Sao Paulo
PREDICTED Finish: 3rd/4th, 6 - 2 - 4 (20 points)
ACTUAL Finish: 2nd/3rd, 6 - 3 - 3 (21 points)
Prediction Grade: A
Another pretty good one! Batting .500 at this point, as Sao Paulo converted one predicted loss into a win and gained a point over my prediction. I thought they'd hover around 0 total GD again, with some weak spots on the defense. They instead finished with an 8 GD, and the third fewest goals allowed. So I got the right answer but used the wrong formula, basically.
5. Reykjavik
PREDICTED Finish: 5th, 4 - 0 - 8 (12 points)
ACTUAL FINISH: 7th, 2 - 3 - 7 (9 points)
Prediction Grade: B
Reykjavik is going to be auto relegated with 3 points fewer than I though they'd have. The main factor was their lack of wins, even with 3 draws taking away from some of their losses. I was rightfully worried about the defense, as the group allowed 30 goals across 12 games. The offense did better than I expected but it's absolutely not enough to overcome the defense, and that's how they end up in last.
6. Hollywood
PREDICTED Finish: 6th, 3 - 2 - 7 (11 points)
ACTUAL Finish: 2nd/3rd, 6 - 3 - 3 (21 points)
Prediction Grade: F
A big miss! Hollywood pretty much doubled up their predicted points on this one and instead of ending up in a relegation match, they're sitting comfy near the top of the table. Big disparity between their TPE and their ranking, so I guess they had very strong tactics. I was worried about their defense... which turned out to be the best in the entire league, with only 13 goals allowed! And I though their offense would carry the team, but ... they had the second fewest goals. I was all sorts of wrong on this one.
7. Romana
PREDICTED Finish: 7th, 2 - 1 - 9 (5 points)
ACTUAL Finish: 5th, 4 - 1 - 7 (13 points)
Prediction Grade: D+
8 points off is no bueno for my prediction, but oh well. Romana came in with the lowest talent level, fresh off promotion from D2, and I thought it'd be a passable offense with a bad defense. And I was right! I was just completely wrong in how that would lead to points. They gave up third most goals and scored the second fewest, but managed to score at the important times to net points. Their -7 GD is roughly even with the two relegation teams, but they finished above them in the table.
Division 2
1. Catalunya
PREDICTED Finish: 1st, 10 - 0 - 2 (30 points)
ACTUAL Finish: 2nd, 8 - 3 - 1 (27 points)
Prediction Grade: A
Catalunya finished near the top of the table and goat to play (and win) a promotion match. They converted some wins to draws from my prediction but still were a really strong team like I expected. I think the game script just didn't go their way sometimes, as they finished at a +15 GD - so a lot of goals in blowouts, but missing them in close games.
2. Black Forest
PREDICTED Finish: 2nd, 9 - 1 - 3 (25 points)
ACTUAL Finish: 4th, 4 - 4 - 4 (16 points)
Prediction Grade: D
This is the second time I predicted a team to finish in second place with 25 points, but instead they finish in fourth with a record of 4 - 4 - 4. Coincidence? I think not! The offense was not great (better than the 2 expansion teams but that's it) after I specifically called out they they should be good. The defense was third, though, so that was a nice surprise.
3. Buenos Aires
PREDICTED Finish: 3rd, 8 - 1 - 3 (21 points)
ACTUAL Finish: 1st, 9 - 1 - 2 (28 points)
Prediction Grade: C
Buenos Aires took the top spot by a single point, earning auto promotion. I thought they'd be good-not-great and that was off to the tune of 7 points. Their offense popped off with 36 goals!
4. Tokyo
PREDICTED Finish: 4th, 7 - 1 - 4 (18 points)
ACTUAL Finish: 5th/6th, 3 - 3 - 6 (12 points)
Prediction Grade: C+
Finishing tied with an expansion team is a bit unfortunate for Tokyo. I thought they'd be middle of the pack, kinda hanging out on their own, and had concerns about the goalie... which maybe were valid since they gave up 28 goals. That, with a rough offense, sank the season and they finished with a -6 GD, good for second worst.
5. Xelaju
PREDICTED Finish: 5th, 3 - 2 - 7 (11 points)
ACTUAL Finish: 3rd, 5 - 4 - 3 (19 points)
Prediction Grade: N/A
I wasn't sure about the whole goalie situation with Xelaju, and it seems like they sorted it out. I give myself a pass for this one! I was working with the available information!
6. Dakar
PREDICTED Finish: 6th, 1 - 1 - 10 (4 points)
ACTUAL Finish: 7th, 1 - 0 - 11 (3 points)
Prediction Grade: A
I was pretty spot on with Dakar! I gave them an extra draw just as a tie breaker, but they couldn't manage that. I don't think I expected them to have -33 goal differential, which was 27 points worse than the next team, but their TPE was pretty bad so what can you do. I still give myself credit for basically nailing the points!
7. Casablanca
PREDICTED Finish: 7th, 1 - 0 - 11 (3 points)
ACTUAL Finish: 5th/6th, 3 - 3 - 6 (12 points)
Prediction Grade: C?
Okay, well, Casablanca put up 9 more points than I expected. They managed to steal some wins and draws which I absolutely didn't expect. I kinda sorta was close on where on the table they would finish, but that's about it. Instead of getting ran over they were decently competitive, with only a -3 goal difference! So I'll split the middle and give myself a C.
Division 1
1. Shanghai
PREDICTED Finish: 1st, 8 - 2 - 2 (26 points)
ACTUAL Finish: 1st, 8 - 2 - 2 (26 points)
Prediction Grade: A+
Not to bad or anything but I freaking nailed this prediction. Literally perfect. Bang! Look at me go! I mentioned Shanghai's offense as a point in their favor, and they didn't let me down - they scored 27 goals, the most of any team in division 1. They did continue their upward momentum following last season's cup win, so hats off to me for this one.
2. Tenochtitlan
PREDICTED Finish: 2nd, 8 - 1 - 3 (25 points)
ACTUAL Finish: 4th, 4 - 4 - 4 (16 points)
Prediction Grade: D
I was off by just a little bit here. Just a bit. 9 points is pretty bad, and the start of a pretty rough run of predictions for me. I thought Tenochtitlan would have a good defense (very wrong), and an improved offense (sort of right). Their defense was middle of the pack, but they allowed eight more goals than third place. The offense finished 3rd in goals again, with 26, but that wasn't enough to carry them (and/or they didn't score at opportune times and instead piled on against bad teams. I haven't checked.)
3. Liffeyside
PREDICTED Finish: 3rd/4th, 6 - 2 - 4 (20 points)
ACTUAL Finish: 6th, 3 - 2 - 7 (11 points)
Prediction Grade: D-
Another 9 point miss! I'm nothing if not consistent, I guess. They had pretty average TPE again this season and I thought they could out perform again but they could not. For most of the season they were in 7th but managed to claw their way out, but they still lost their relegation match so they'll be spending the next season in division 2. I was worried about their offense and it managed to get worse as they scored 3 fewer goals this season than last season. The main difference between seasons, though, was their defending, which went from allowing 20 goals to allowing 28 goals. Onwards to the next one!
4. Sao Paulo
PREDICTED Finish: 3rd/4th, 6 - 2 - 4 (20 points)
ACTUAL Finish: 2nd/3rd, 6 - 3 - 3 (21 points)
Prediction Grade: A
Another pretty good one! Batting .500 at this point, as Sao Paulo converted one predicted loss into a win and gained a point over my prediction. I thought they'd hover around 0 total GD again, with some weak spots on the defense. They instead finished with an 8 GD, and the third fewest goals allowed. So I got the right answer but used the wrong formula, basically.
5. Reykjavik
PREDICTED Finish: 5th, 4 - 0 - 8 (12 points)
ACTUAL FINISH: 7th, 2 - 3 - 7 (9 points)
Prediction Grade: B
Reykjavik is going to be auto relegated with 3 points fewer than I though they'd have. The main factor was their lack of wins, even with 3 draws taking away from some of their losses. I was rightfully worried about the defense, as the group allowed 30 goals across 12 games. The offense did better than I expected but it's absolutely not enough to overcome the defense, and that's how they end up in last.
6. Hollywood
PREDICTED Finish: 6th, 3 - 2 - 7 (11 points)
ACTUAL Finish: 2nd/3rd, 6 - 3 - 3 (21 points)
Prediction Grade: F
A big miss! Hollywood pretty much doubled up their predicted points on this one and instead of ending up in a relegation match, they're sitting comfy near the top of the table. Big disparity between their TPE and their ranking, so I guess they had very strong tactics. I was worried about their defense... which turned out to be the best in the entire league, with only 13 goals allowed! And I though their offense would carry the team, but ... they had the second fewest goals. I was all sorts of wrong on this one.
7. Romana
PREDICTED Finish: 7th, 2 - 1 - 9 (5 points)
ACTUAL Finish: 5th, 4 - 1 - 7 (13 points)
Prediction Grade: D+
8 points off is no bueno for my prediction, but oh well. Romana came in with the lowest talent level, fresh off promotion from D2, and I thought it'd be a passable offense with a bad defense. And I was right! I was just completely wrong in how that would lead to points. They gave up third most goals and scored the second fewest, but managed to score at the important times to net points. Their -7 GD is roughly even with the two relegation teams, but they finished above them in the table.
Division 2
1. Catalunya
PREDICTED Finish: 1st, 10 - 0 - 2 (30 points)
ACTUAL Finish: 2nd, 8 - 3 - 1 (27 points)
Prediction Grade: A
Catalunya finished near the top of the table and goat to play (and win) a promotion match. They converted some wins to draws from my prediction but still were a really strong team like I expected. I think the game script just didn't go their way sometimes, as they finished at a +15 GD - so a lot of goals in blowouts, but missing them in close games.
2. Black Forest
PREDICTED Finish: 2nd, 9 - 1 - 3 (25 points)
ACTUAL Finish: 4th, 4 - 4 - 4 (16 points)
Prediction Grade: D
This is the second time I predicted a team to finish in second place with 25 points, but instead they finish in fourth with a record of 4 - 4 - 4. Coincidence? I think not! The offense was not great (better than the 2 expansion teams but that's it) after I specifically called out they they should be good. The defense was third, though, so that was a nice surprise.
3. Buenos Aires
PREDICTED Finish: 3rd, 8 - 1 - 3 (21 points)
ACTUAL Finish: 1st, 9 - 1 - 2 (28 points)
Prediction Grade: C
Buenos Aires took the top spot by a single point, earning auto promotion. I thought they'd be good-not-great and that was off to the tune of 7 points. Their offense popped off with 36 goals!
4. Tokyo
PREDICTED Finish: 4th, 7 - 1 - 4 (18 points)
ACTUAL Finish: 5th/6th, 3 - 3 - 6 (12 points)
Prediction Grade: C+
Finishing tied with an expansion team is a bit unfortunate for Tokyo. I thought they'd be middle of the pack, kinda hanging out on their own, and had concerns about the goalie... which maybe were valid since they gave up 28 goals. That, with a rough offense, sank the season and they finished with a -6 GD, good for second worst.
5. Xelaju
PREDICTED Finish: 5th, 3 - 2 - 7 (11 points)
ACTUAL Finish: 3rd, 5 - 4 - 3 (19 points)
Prediction Grade: N/A
I wasn't sure about the whole goalie situation with Xelaju, and it seems like they sorted it out. I give myself a pass for this one! I was working with the available information!
6. Dakar
PREDICTED Finish: 6th, 1 - 1 - 10 (4 points)
ACTUAL Finish: 7th, 1 - 0 - 11 (3 points)
Prediction Grade: A
I was pretty spot on with Dakar! I gave them an extra draw just as a tie breaker, but they couldn't manage that. I don't think I expected them to have -33 goal differential, which was 27 points worse than the next team, but their TPE was pretty bad so what can you do. I still give myself credit for basically nailing the points!
7. Casablanca
PREDICTED Finish: 7th, 1 - 0 - 11 (3 points)
ACTUAL Finish: 5th/6th, 3 - 3 - 6 (12 points)
Prediction Grade: C?
Okay, well, Casablanca put up 9 more points than I expected. They managed to steal some wins and draws which I absolutely didn't expect. I kinda sorta was close on where on the table they would finish, but that's about it. Instead of getting ran over they were decently competitive, with only a -3 goal difference! So I'll split the middle and give myself a C.
