Welcome to the RPLP European Cup Contest for 2019 - 2020
IntroductionBarney has generously allowed me to repay my debts through service this year, by administering the European Cup Competition for Rawk Premier League Predictions Contest.
So, for those who have won this competition (BoRed -2 Cups, Bryanod - 2 Cups, Hoinkdoink, and myself), and those who are planning to win Big Ears for RAWK EPL Predictions, this is a time to honor the March to Madness!
In my country, March Madness is a college basketball obsession. But in this cup competition, we are going to "bracket up" and bring a small flavor of this to you for free. Since I am a rookie admin for this European Cup, you can fire me next year if this does not sit well
2019-2020 RPLP European Cup FormatThis Cup competition will be a single elimination tournament using a one time draw (see below)
We have 50 active players vying for glory. 20 are competing in the Premier League with Prof leading the way in the latest round of Barney's spreadsheets. 19 teams are competing in the Championship, and 11 teams are in League 1.
Of the 50 active players, 14 players received first round byes and automatic qualification into the second round of competition. These 14 players were ranked using the current Premier League standings and rankings. All other teams (36) will play first round matches next week.
The 36 teams unseeded in this competition were drawn out of a hat manually and placed in the bracket top down, left to right. If anyone has questions about their position in the bracket, please PM me and I will address questions or concerns immediately.
As stated, each round is a knockout round, except for the 14 seeded teams who secured a bye in the first round.
The goal is to survive and advance.RPLP European Cup Competition will begin:
WEEK 30 (Next week) and run through WEEK 38 (Last week of the season) 18 First Round Matches: WEEK 30 ONLY
16 Second Round Matches: WEEK 31 + WEEK 32 (Combined Two Week Score)
8 Third Round Matches: WEEK 33 + WEEK 34 (Combined Two Week Score)
4 Fourth Round Matches: WEEK 35 + WEEK 36 (Combined Two Week Score)
* added this week to combined scoring just tonight, please ignore the yellow bar below the bracket (2nd/3rd/4th round matches are combined weekly totals) 2 Semi Final Matches: WEEK 37 ONLY
1 Final Match: WEEK 38 ONLY
It is important to note that only teams playing in the first round, semi-finals or Finals will be playing one week scoring. So do not forget to post, because you will lose.
Scoring Head to head knockout scoring is decided by the usual points system. If the match is tied, then the next tie breaker involves total number of correct scores. If the tie is still knotted, then we go closest to predicted goals vs actual goals.
If by some reason, we still have a tie, Barney suggests the first post would win. However, I am considering offering another gambit in these closely fought ties --- let me know how many of you would like to gamble upon seeing the bracket and predicting who has the best chance to win this Cup given the bracket below or who wins in each round or the whole thing - RPLP European Cup.
8-8 tie First tie breaker (total number of correct scores)
Second tie breaker (predicted v actual goals scored differentials)
Third tie breaker (
first come first serve or those who fill out a bracket or predict that weeks RAWK round winners advance) - lets see how people feel. I will decide before WEEK 30.
Lastly, any of the 50 teams who fills out a complete bracket perfectly and PM's it to me in advance of Week 30 will received a $50 winners bonus to be paid out after WEEK 38 and quite possibly a RAWK parade.
One last thing is that if people are struggling to see the bracket based upon the quality of the photo, clipped and posted -- then click on the picture and you can see it more clearly.
Good luck and may the spirit of madness, vanquishing your fellow mates while predicting scores consume you for the next few months. Our house.... in the middle of street
