GW 31 – Review

GW 31 proved to be yet another tricky one here on The Ultimate Goals. Going into the weekend, plenty of fixtures looked too close to call before the start of play and putting faith in a side facing a ‘banana-skin’ of a game can be quite the gamble. Here’s how the weekend played out…..

Mixing things up slightly, we’ll start with the two shock results that derailed so many players’ scores. It was a memorable Sunday afternoon for Manchester United fans, who not only saw bitter rivals Liverpool fall to a sixth consecutive home defeat for the first time in their history, but also witnessed the Red Devils end Manchester City’s 21 game winning streak at the Etihad with an exceptional 2-0 win. Great for the Utd fans, but not so much for those of you who backed Liverpool (47 picks) and City (44). These two goalless defeats were responsible for 15 of the 28 minus scores recorded at the weekend, as well as halting many scores in their tracks. Proof once more that it’s rarely wise to back a derby fixture (or indeed back a side who have already lost five on the bounce at home!)

Another six minus scores came from those players who chose Celtic (41 total picks) or Aberdeen (22 total) on x2, with the Bhoys’ failure to win having the added effect of securing the Scottish title for Rangers after a 10-year wait. The Gers were the most picked side this at the weekend with 104 selections and were the most picked ‘banker’ side at x2, as well as a points earner at x7 and x8. Only two other sides made the most picked matrix this week, with Norwich City on x3 and Sunderland on x4, x5 and x6. Those pair both returned solid goalscoring returns for their backers.

It was a frustrating week to say the least, as a lot of the highly chosen sides actually produced the goals. Tottenham Hotspur (48 picks) saw off Crystal Palace 4-1 while the previously mentioned Norwich City (74) cracked Luton open like an egg with a dominant 3-0 win, with Sunderland (84) and Hull City (43) each securing 2-0 home victories in League One, while Cheltenham Town (33) found the net three times in League Two.

As for the ever so tricky Perfect 7, Tottenham were joined by Queen of the South, Exeter City and Northampton Town in hitting four goals at the weekend, while any three goal side on x2, x3 and x4 would have secured you the weekend’s top score of 131 points.

But those earlier-mentioned goalless sides proved to be the undoing of what could have been some fantastic scores. Again, no one was permitted to cross the threshold of Club 100, with Barry Derrick securing the weekend’s highest points total of 92 (which is still some going!). 4 goal Tottenham were the only real standout side in his lineup on x4, with reliable 3 goal sides in Norwich (x2), Cheltenham (x7) and Rangers (x8) the honourable mentions. The weekend’s average score sunk back down to a disappointing 21 points, while the number of minus scores leapt back up to the 28 mark. Work to do then for many of you…

That’s your lot for another week. Remember to check out our socials so you never miss an update, they could be game-changers! As ever, get your selections in well before the deadline should you wish to take advantage of the early kick-offs. This weekend Chelsea travel to Leeds Utd and Luton Town host Swansea City, while Swindon Take on Gillingham and Scunthorpe make the trip to Leyton Orient. How many of you will back Portsmouth or Salford City in the delayed 2020 EFL Trophy Final, or Sunderland or Tranmere Rovers from the 2021 EFL Trophy Final? Yes that’s correct, we have two Finals from the same competition taking place on the same weekend, what a pity that Wembley won’t have any fans at either! Good Luck!

-Sam Brooke-Wilkinson