1. Scoring: 3 points awarded for a correct score (exact full time score); 1 point for a correct result (same result but not same score). For example Arsenal v Aston Villa finishes 2-2. Those who predicted 2-2 get the 3 points, anyone who predicted 1-1 just gets 1.
2. Joker: An opportunity given to every player once in each round to double a 3 points score to 6 points. Applies only to correct scores. For example Arsenal v Aston Villa finishes 2-2. To get the six points I must have predicted 2-2 and labelled it as the joker. Please indicate clearly on which match you are playing it, preferably with the word JOKER or a ' J ' after the match.
3. Postponements: A real source of frustration last season but I hope it's not an issue this time. All predictions on a postponed match are void and the match will be predicted upon again whenever it reappears in the season. If anyone had a joker on a postponement, those players will be permitted an extra joker in the round where it appears. I will keep a log of all recipients of an extra joker. Nobody will be allowed more than two jokers in a round. If there are lots of postponements & jokers to reschedule, I will use last season's method of moving some fixtures to the next round. Rest assured though, everyone will have the opportunity of using them.
4. Tables: I will endeavour to post an updated table following completion of each gameweek. I may need to post it after two rounds if short for time between rounds. Throughout the season and up to the end of it, tied points positions will be decided in the following order: correct scores, correct results, correct jokers. If at the end of the season there's still a tie, which would be a minor miracle, we'll just call it a draw.
5. Fixtures: All gameweeks will be posted in the same order as they appear on the official Premier League website, unless it becomes necessary to move fixtures to accommodate postponed jokers (see rule 3). All fixtures will be posted in this thread, therefore all players must submit predictions in this thread only. Any lists posted in any other thread on the forum won't be counted.
6. Gameweeks: I will always try to post just one gameweek in one post. However it may become necessary to occasionally post two gameweeks in one. This would normally happen in busy periods of the season when there is a shortage of time between rounds, for example at Christmas. I will never post more than two weeks in one post.
7. Check your lists: It is every player's individual responsibility to ensure nothing is missing from their predictions list. This means making sure you have included every match in the list and making sure you included your joker. As long as the list is submitted before the deadline (coming to this in the next rule), it will be recorded, whether you have missed anything or not. But you are doing yourselves out of points if your list has missing ingredients.
8. Deadlines: Last season showed the necessity for introducing a deadline / cut off time for entries in to each round as covid took hold and postponements made the game very difficult to track. It is unfortunate that the times we live in are still uncertain, so it is with regret that the deadlines will remain in place. I accept that this may be an unpopular rule and believe me I'd prefer not to have deadlines, but in order to ensure the competition runs as smoothly and as fairly as possible, they are essential. I will post reminders in the thread but cannot guarantee I'll have chance to private message players individually. It is therefore your responsibility to make sure you are on time. The deadline will generally be the first kick off time in the list. Any lists submitted after this unfortunately won't be accepted.
9. Final notes: I confirm that as host of the competition I will be organising it only and not participating in the predictions myself. Please feel free to continue to post discussion about the competition in the Chat / Discussion thread and please PM me if anything is unclear. If anyone receives information about any of the matches, ie: postponements, please feel free to share as it is helpful to both myself and to other players. Any member of the forum, male or female
, is welcome to play and I hope you all enjoy it.