As a young man, I remember going with a friend of mine to Catford Dogs. I went with someone who knew a thing or two about greyhound racing. He studied the form; he even went to watch the dogs training and spoke to trainers to get tips. I knew nothing about greyhound racing. After following his advice for a couple of races and lost hard-earnt money, I decided to make my own decisions. Eamonn Dunphy had just joined Charlton and I spotted a dog in the next race called Drumphey (I think that's how it was spelt). I was mocked for backing this outsider. It was a hurdles race and, sure enough, Drumphey came home first at 18-1. To make it even funnier, the dog stumbled on the last hurdle and went through the winning line on its back. My friend didn't say much, but when I won on the next race, he was furious both at my supposed luck and with his diminishing bank balance - he gambled seriously.
The reason for telling you this story is that if you are having a bad run in the Prediction League or struggling in the National South, think about asking the kids, your granny or someone who knows nothing about football to make your predictions this week. And, before I get in trouble for political incorrectness, I do appreciate grannies can be knowledgeable about football. Indeed, my granny was an ardent Charlton fan and knew her stuff. On that note, just pick any three of this lovely bunch. Good luck to those striving to be in the Quarter Finals of the two Cup competitions. Wembley is within your grasp.
If you missed last week's scores, Cup replays or Cup draws, use this link
hereI've actually posted the Cup ties on the next post as well.
Premier League
Leicester City v Liverpool (Saturday 1230)
Brighton & Hove Albion v Aston Villa (Saturday 2000)
Southampton v Wolverhampton Wanderers (Sunday 1200)
Arsenal v Leeds United (Sunday 1630)
Championship
Nottingham Forest v AFC Bournemouth (Saturday 1230)
Birmingham City v Luton Town (Saturday 1500)
Derby County v Middlesbrough (Saturday 1500)
Rotherham United v Queens Park Rangers (Saturday 1500)
League One
AFC Wimbledon v Rochdale (Saturday 1500)
Blackpool v Peterborough United (Saturday 1500)
Bristol Rovers v Swindon Town (Saturday 1500)
Charlton Athletic v Gillingham (Saturday 1500)
Crewe Alexandra v Portsmouth (Saturday 1500)
Northampton Town v Burton Albion (Saturday 1500)
Plymouth Argyle v Fleetwood Town (Saturday 1500)
Shrewsbury Town v Ipswich Town (Saturday 1500)
Sunderland v Doncaster Rovers (Saturday 1500)
Guest fixture
VfL Wolfsburg v Borussia Monchengladbach (German Bundesliga Sunday 1700)
Comments
Prediction Knock Out Cup 4th Round Draw
ThreadKiller (20) [Prem] v. Buglehorn (64) [Lg1]
Nicholas (4) [Prem] v. croydonaddick (62) [Lg1]
Miserableoldgit (46) [Lg1] v. RedChaser (45) [Lg1]
GoOnYouHaddocks (10) [Prem] v. Bangkokaddick (53) [Lg1]
tommo (19) [Prem] v. cblock (41) [Champ]
moutuakilla (24) [Champ] v. theeenorth (15) [Prem]
redlanered (1) [Prem] v. Tutt-Tutt (43) [Champ]
Macronate (6) [Prem] v. StrikerFirmani (7) [Prem]
Johnstones Paint Prediction Cup 3rd Round Draw
Chizz (90) [Lg2] v. PaddyP17 (14) [Prem]
SheffieldRed (27) [Champ] v. covered_end_junior (98) [Nat]
dajavouslagan (17) [Prem] v. WestSussexAddick (94) [Nat]
chezzafromcharlton (25) [Champ] v. Charlton_Stu (103) [Nat]
IdleHans (61) [Lg1] v. cafckev (99) [Nat]
Hamlet (111) [Nat] v. Carl Leaburn (112) [Nat]
BertieB (100) [Nat] v. Webbja77 (18) [Prem]
Paddy Powell (16) [Prem] v. flyingkiwiDK (55) [Lg1]
Blackpool v Peterborough United (Saturday 1500) 0-4
Bristol Rovers v Swindon Town (Saturday 1500) 2-1
Forest 1 Bournemouth 2
Charlton 2 Gillingham 1
Derby County v Middlesbrough 0-0
Northampton Town v Burton Albion 1-2
Charlton Athletic v Gillingham 2-1
Shrewsbury Town v Ipswich Town 2-1
Arsenal v Leeds United 3-3
Birmingham City v Luton Town 0-1
Sunderland v Doncaster 1-1
Shrewsbury v Ipswich 2-1
Shrewsbury Town v Ipswich Town 2-1
Sunderland v Doncaster Rovers 2-0
Brighton v Villa 1-2
Charlton v Pikeys/Gillingham 2-0
Charlton Athletic v Gillingham 1-0
Crewe Alexandra v Portsmouth 0-1
Crewe Alexandra v Portsmouth 0-1
Shrewsbury Town v Ipswich Town 1-0
Rotherham United v Queens Park Rangers 2-0
Charlton Athletic v Gillingham 2-0
Arsenal v Leeds 2-1
Southampton v Wolves 0-1
Charlton v gillingham 2-0
Bristol rovers v Swindon 1-0
AFC Wimbledon v Rochdale 2-1
Shrewsbury v Ipswich 1-0
Charlton Athletic v Gillingham 2-1
Bristol Rovers v Swindon Town 1-1
I used to love Catford dogs...
Brighton & Hove Albion v Aston Villa 2-1
Southampton v Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0
Forest 1 Bournemouth 2
Wolfsburg 2 Borussia MG 1
Crewe Alexandra v Portsmouth 1-2
VfL Wolfsburg v Borussia Monchengladbach 2-0
Derby County v Middlesbrough 1-1
Plymouth Argyle v Fleetwood Town 2-0
Charlton Athletic v Gillingham 2-1
Plymouth Argyle v Fleetwood Town 2-0
Nottingham Forest v AFC Bournemouth 1 - 3
Plymouth Argyle v Fleetwood Town 1 - 1
Southampton 1-2 Wolves
Arsenal 2-1 Leeds
Rotherham United v Queens Park Rangers 2-1
Shrewsbury Town v Ipswich Town 2-1
Charlton Athletic v Gillingham (Saturday 1500) 2-1
Crewe Alexandra v Portsmouth (Saturday 1500) 0-2
Crewe v Portsmouth 0-2
Shrewsbury v Ipswich 1-0
Southampton v wolves 1-0
Bristol rovers v Swindon 1-0
Charlton Athletic v Gillingham 2-0
Crewe Alexandra v Portsmouth 0-2
Arsenal v Leeds. 2-0
Charlton v Gillingham. 2-1
Shrewsbury Town v Ipswich Town 0-1
Sunderland v Doncaster Rovers 1-1