The Playoffs!

Welcome to the start of the playoffs and what a week we have in store with close match ups between EPC and BNR, XP and BP, UO and EC and finally the match of the week TC vs MIB

The All-Stars went by very well last week, with the Blue group winning 5-4 so meaning if a team from the Blue group gets to the finals with a team from the Red Group then it means that the Blue Group will have the advantage in the fact they can call second in matches 1 and 3. I personally prefer being the away team because you can throw whoever you want in first and sometimes it freaks out the home Captain!

So with xp_pool_warrior grabbing MVP in the Blue Group and fr_adambuddy in the Red group I think it will be interesting to see who will progress this week. I have read Mr. Predictors post and it was pretty interesting but as usual I disagree with some things he said. I wanna thank him for predictions this season and keeping me interested. I admit his are best but I think the playoff post and All-star was the best post this season. So lets look at the teams who got into the playoffs first before a prediction. I will start with the main playoffs and the teams who dont play until next week.

Magic Pool

Finished: 1st in the Blue group

Best players: (top 3)
MP_n00b.ski11z
MP_xCHRISx
MP_p00l_nutz

So in my opinion these 3 are the best. Joe would have been in there but he won for BP so it technically makes Pool Nutz a better choice for me as a top 3. Steve has been the most important cog for MP this season full stop. His record of 5-2 was priceless to Chris as MP stormed to the top and ok they stuttered across the line and was helped with LS forfeiting the final match to clinch it. Chris was 5-3 with one of them wins from EPC but he has captained MP superbly this season and in my view should get the Captains award but Jack is also deserving of that in my opinion, a share maybe? I don't know much of Pool Nutz but he is a good shooter from what I have seen and if he shows I am sure he wont let MP down. I will give a mention out for Joe as he is 4-1 but in my view when on form hes is brilliant but when he aint on form hes like me horrible.

Freedom

Position: 1st in Red Group

Best Players:
FR_adambuddy
FR_I_Am_Almost_God
FR_spit.gamee

Freedom in my view were the second best team in the Red group but ended up winning the group thanks to the 3 players mentioned here. AdamBuddy finished 9-0 and deserved his MVP award as no one really came close to him. He was called on at different points of the match and always handed out a win, ok one or two might have been lucky but hey! They all count.

Craig is the most over rated player in IPA this season, he has a attitude and when losing talks shit. But when he concentrates and doesn't open his big mouth he is a very good player, but again like Joe from MP when hes sucking, geez he sucks! His 5-0 record means he didn't suck this season!

Corey is to me a brilliant player who win or lose (most the time!) is very polite and says gg when needed. He is uaully on fire though and Petey will know he can rely on him come game time!

So they are the two teams from the main playoffs that don't play. I was going to do the two plate teams but I will do that next week when they play so lets crack on with the predictions to which i will talk about each team the same way then predict the match!

Extreme Pool Competitors (Red) vs Break And Run (Red)

Previous Meetings This Season:

Week 5: EPC 3 - 3 BNR
Week 10: BNR 5 - 1 EPC

Key Players: EPC
EPC_i_hate_th1s_game
EPC_l3reaking.point
EPC_superb.shot

So with the top two players in EPC they should have won the Red Group but they didn't. Ben and James have a combined record of 14-4, which is incredible to be honest. James is the sort of player who if he gets a right break, well then hes gone and he will just run you.

Ben on the other hand is totally different, he cant run crap! but he has a good safety game and in IPA this season he has excelled. If these two show up and ar ein form then watch out BNR.

Snooky has also had a good season and although its only 3-2 he has everything in his favor and will come up trumps.

Key Players: BNR
BNR_luisj_barreto
BNR_aaaaaaaaanil
BNR_x_therage

So BNR finished third and not many players had 'stand out' season so I have picked the players I feel can make the biggest impact in the playoffs. Luis is, well Luis lol. A very strong player who will most definitely play if he is around because he is BNR's stand out player by a mile. Anil is another one who only just got eligible for the playoffs but is the sort of player BNR will need to launch a challenge on retaining there title. Tan had a shocking season nto even picking a win up but come cam and playoffs he will be very important and will hope to give BNR some festive cheer.

The Prediction

So Jack messaged me yesterday and said what way will I be going for this match and I honestly did not have a clue and you know what? I still don't. I think EPC had there chance to win it and not have to worry about this but they completely collapsed in the last week against this BNR team. BNR will need to have allt here big names available and Ross will need to be on form because someone is going to have to beat James or Ben for BNR to win this. If that happens I will lean towards BNR. I think they will have enough to see the threat of the Strong EPC team off.

Score: 4-3 BNR, Luis clinches vs James

Xtreme Poolerz (Blue) vs Brit Pool (Blue)

Previous Meetings This Season:

Week 5: XP 5 - 1 BP
Week 10: BP 3 - 3 XP

Key Players: XP
XP_pool_warrior2002
XP_instant.remedy
XP_lewissss

XP have a wonderful chance still to wint he whole thing, with Andy winning MVP for his great 8-2 record which would have been 9-1 if i hadn't had beaten him in the last week. He was backed up well by Matt and Lewis and Pommy.

Matt has impressed me this season and looks a far better player than he once was and as captain will most definitely take some beating with the guys he has to choose from.

Lewis is one of them Guys and will be there I am sure but will want to make sure he can pull out a win against whoever he is put up against. All 3 have great form and great record in IPA.

Key Players: BP
BP_UN_NATURAL
BP_BLONDEGIRL9876
BP_DaJoKaMaN

So the Key players for BP and I did not put myself in and that is because when she is available Tami is the best start player in Yahoo Pool in my own opinion and is so under rated its unbelievable.

Trey is BP's man of the season in my view. He plays early in the season so he can go to watch football but when he plays he hardly loses! This guy can run table like there is no tomorrow and he is a pretty good safety player too.

Alex is the guy that moved from XP to BP and will no doubt play tonight thats for sure. He is a pretty decent player and will always be the guy to bring home the bacon in my view.

The Prediction:

Andy said to me last week, if we (XP) have the luck we have had lately then BP will win. I don't believe this and XP will definitely start as favourites with the likes of Andy, LEwis and Cubby playing but don't under estimate Pommy's favourite team in BP. He thinks they suck and I am sure that BP will not have any trouble in getting physced up for this encounter. It will be close, if BP can perferm like they did at the beginning of the season then they have every chance of pulling off a upset but realistically they will lose in a close match to XP.

Score: 4-3 XP

UO vs EC

I aint even going to bother with a prediction. WTG UO GL next week. EC have 4 players elig thats it and if UO can't win one of them games (relying on EC showing) then they don't deserve to take part.

Score UO win 4-0 due to no show.

True Champs vs Money In The Bank

I decided to not do what I have done for the rest because I have wrote too much already. MIB are a team up and coming. Rich has a good league but a few nutters have wrecked there Sportsmanship award claims. TC are refocusing and slowly picking it back up. If both teams are at full strength...Forget the main playoffs this will be the closest tightest and tense match up overall!

Score: 4-3 MIB!

Enjoy ;)