GWs 32 & 33 – Review

It’s been a turbulent period here in The Ultimate Goals. The midweek set of fixtures certainly proved to be a useful points boost to those of you who got your predictions right in latest bonus round! So there’s a bumper review in store for you this week, packed with loads of statistics.

Last Tuesday and Wednesday (gameweek 32) saw an average score of 31 recorded for the second week running, but the following weekend’s (GW 33) average let the side down with an underwhelming score of just 22. As for the fabled ‘Perfect 7’, there hasn’t been a score higher than 150 since January, and the last two gameweeks also couldn’t reach that marker, with a 141 up for grabs on Tuesday and a 135 for the taking at the weekend (alongside a tasty £1,600 jackpot!). Celtic (92 selections) and Exeter City (22) each scored 5 to be the most prolific teams in gameweek 32, whilst it was the turn of five teams (Arsenal, QPR, Accrington Stanley, Ipswich Town and Stirling Albion) to score 4 goals apiece in the weekend fixtures to make up the ‘Perfect 7’ for that round.

The midweek round had a pair of Global League table-toppers (the first time this has occurred since gameweek 8!), as Jamie Marson and Chris Watterson sprinted out ahead of the pack, each with a great score of 116 and their table reserved in Club 100 – alongside another nine players who also bagged ‘green’ scores. Meanwhile, it was glory at the weekend for Elaine Simpson, who topped the table with 83 points. A cracking effort in the circumstances, but one which draws attention to the fact that no three figure scores were recorded at the weekend. The bulk of Elaine’s points came from the Premier League, with ‘Perfect 7’ representatives Arsenal on x8, as well as 3 goal Tottenham Hotspur and 2 goal Aston Villa on x6 and x7. Despite the gulf in points totals and average scores between the two weeks, it was actually the midweek round that threw up more minus scores, with a massive 26 being recorded! In comparison, 18 players were left wanting at the weekend and it’s clear to see who did the damage. Championship promotion hopefuls Preston and Fulham both fell to shock home defeats without scoring a goal, the latter letting an enormous 76 of you down! No wonder we had such a low average!

But who was picked most on each multiplier? Well in midweek Celtic bookended the matrix at x2 and x8, while Peterborough Utd were most popular x6 and x7. Rangers and Doncaster Rovers filled x3 and x4 while Sunderland occupied x5. As for the weekend’s most picked teams, it was Liverpool’s turn to sandwich the multiplier ladder. Fulham and Celtic were the most popular choices on x3 and x7, but it was League One leaders Rotherham Utd who occupied x4, x5 and x6 – no big surprise as The Millers were facing relegation candidates AFC Wimbledon.

That’s all from me this week. Remember to get those selections done in good time if don’t want to miss the chance to pick the early kick offs! Chelsea host Tottenham, in what will surely be a feisty London derby with Jose Mourinho returning to the his old stomping ground, and Blackburn travel to a Brentford side who are not only hoping to cement their top 6 position, but push for an automatic spot. Good luck and happy scoring!

– Samuel Wilkinson