Canucks4Ever
Well-Known Member
While the VMSL's top flight is stealing most of the headlines, as it well should, Division 1 is about to serve up some top of the table tilts as well. The teams are all jockeying for position as we barrel towards the halfway point of the season. Who will be in the promotion places come the schedule turning over? We are starting to get an idea...
Completely Baseless Predictions - Week 9
GN Sporting v Coquitlam Metro Ford Lupi
It is second hosting third in what is most definitely the MOTW. After a hot start that saw them win five of their first six matches with just a lone loss to blemish their record, Lupi have recently slumped to two less than impressive draws against mid-table sides Rino's and Sierra. This is somewhat reminiscent of their form last season when, after a fantastic start that saw them lead the league into November, they had a dreadful second half of the season and finished mid-table themselves when all was said and done. Perhaps their form has something to do with their inability to get promoted so long as Wolves remain in Premier, though this season that team has not started well and might end up in a relegation battle. If that were the case suddenly Lupi might be in a position to go up, though sources report that is not a focus for this group, who are much more content with a somewhat more recreational pace. GN, on the other hand, know they can go up if they earn that right and with a few players who have top level experience in the FVSL or on the fringes of teams in the VMSL's top division, that is surely a step they would be keen to take. Unfortunately, consistency has long been the issue for the Surrey/Delta boys and that seems to be the case once again this season. They too only had one loss through the opening six weeks of the season and it came against leaders UBC. That being said, GN had been riding their luck somewhat, scoring late goals to win matches and getting the rub of one or two refereeing decisions. All that luck ran out when they inexplicably drew against last place Santos who were without a point to their name when the sides kicked off. The got back on track against the other bottom team, Greencaps, last week but it was a narrow 1-0 win and they left it pretty late once more. On the one hand you could day that GN must have the belief that they can always find a winner; on the other hand you might say that it hardly inspires confidence when your result is always on a knife edge. This should be a top contest and one that probably means just a little bit more to GN than Lupi given the potential promotion ramifications. That being said, it just feels like Lupi are the more consistent team and if GN are expecting to pull one out of the fire late, Metro Ford might not be the kind of team to give them that chance.
Richmond Hibernian v Vancouver Greencaps
Things have been improving of late for Greencaps after just a woeful start. They have picked up a couple of points but they are still mired in the relegation places. They play NorVan next week in what looks to be a must win match, even this early in the season, especiall if NorVan get the job done against Santos this week. Despite their disheartening record, the Irish lads have not exactly been played off the park in their matches, they just cannot seem to find the crucial goal at the crucial time. They put in another good performance against second place GN last week, but were once more on the wrong side of the odd goal, losing 1-0. It will not get any easier against free scoring league leaders UBC this week. "Richmond" were rather inexplicably held to just a 1-0 win themselves against last place Santos, but that was likely an anomaly. One would have to assume that they will be at full strength at home on campus on a Friday night. This one should be fairly straightforward.
NorVan Storm v VAFC Santos
All of a sudden this is a very intriguing match up. After being the punch line of the division through the first four games of the year, in the last four Santos seem to have finally found a formula that works. It might not be a formula for success just yet, but it least it is a formula for respectability and competitiveness. They have allowed only one goal against in each of their last four matches, were apparently unlucky not to earn a point against Sierra when they had a late penalty saved, did earn a point in a draw with second place GN the next and then held league leaders and rampant attackers "Richmond" to just a 1-0 last week. This progress would seem to have them well poised to face a NorVan side who are just barely teetering above the drop zone. Of course, the Storm know the position that they are in and will be well aware that this is a full on relegation six-pointer. The problem for NorVan is they are bleeding goals at the minute. They have conceded 18 in their past five games which makes it 22 total for the season, the second most in the league ahead of only Santos who have given up 28. However, as mentioned, 24 of those were in the first four weeks and of late they have been much tidier. The big issue for Santos is they still are not scoring goals. So it is a team that cannot score against one that cannot defend, making it very tough to pick a favourite. If I had any confidence in them being able to score a goal I might well make Santos the favourites here as I think they can genuinely win this game. If I believed they were capable of scoring two goals, they would be a slam dunk. NorVan, on the other hand, knowing that a win in this game is likely to result in a five point cushion on relegation with a chance to grow that even bigger next week against Greencaps, might well be able to will this one over the line especially at home. No idea here. Call it a draw.
Club Inter EDC Burnaby B v Westside FC A
Having already played the top sides, Westside are now traipsing through the bottom half of the table. So far so good as well as they come into this match on the back of a pair of wins over lower half teams and are unbeaten in their last four matches. With the teams above them playing each other over the next few weeks, Westside has a chance to make a move up the table if they can hold their nerve against the sides below them. Inter may have struggled to begin the season, but they seem to have steadied the ship of late. They have picked up seven points over their last five matches while only conceding seven goals in that stretch. These points have allowed them to climb to safety and the relegation battle is not a major concern just at the moment. It also appears that they have found a goal scorer with Andres Mauricio Rojas Rodriguez now up to six goals on the season, including one in their 2-2 draw last time out against Strikers. That Strikers result was likely Inter's best performance of the year as their two wins have come against the bottom two sides. That being said, they did throw away a two goal lead in that match, so it is not all good news stories for Chinter. Westside will counter with a six goal man of their own as Justin Lee scored again in their 3-1 win over NorVan last time. Westside will need another similarly solid performance if they are to take home the points this week as they are the favourites, but this is by no means a free hit.
Westside FC Sierra v Burnaby Metro Athletic
A quick glance at the schedule might lead you to believe that Burnaby Metro are in a similar position to Westside A in terms of having the chance to make up some ground on the table over then next few weeks. However, a closer look at their schedule reveals that they are yet to play the top teams in the division at that GN and UBC are on deck for the next two weeks. So, yes, Burnaby have a chance to move well up in the table, but it will not come from beating the teams at the bottom of the league, to do it they will need to beat their other sides in the top half of the table. This starts with Westside Sierra who sit sixth, two points behind Metro. Newly promoted Sierra have got their feet well under them at this level and while they are not likely to climb seriously into the promotion race, they are certainly solid opponents for every side they come up against. Case in point, last week they held title challenging Coquitlam to a draw on Lupi's home turf. Burnaby really need these points if they are to position themselves to stay in the promotion fight with big tests coming down the pipe. Tipo Conteh looks to be the man who has stepped into coach Farivar Torabi's shoes and will carry the offensive load for Metro as he is up to six goals on the season. Sierra, meanwhile, hold the dubious distinction of being the only team in the division with anyone suspended this week as they are missing both Pablo Clinaz, their second top scorer, and Armin Khadem Fini. Certainly they will put up a good resistance and they are capable of a result, but I think Metro are slight favourites in what is almost a must win game for them given the table and their upcoming schedule.
Rino's Fury v Vancouver Strikers
We are beginning to reach the stage of the season in Division 1 where we know some teams are pretty much locks to finish mid-table and that looks to be the case for these two teams. Could they go ice cold and drop into the relegation battle? Possibly, but that would also mean the teams below them have to get hot. Could they go on a tear and get into the promotion places? Technically, but already nine points behind and with several teams in their way it is highly unlikely. No it is all but certain that Rino's and Strikers will be back again in Division 1 next season and with the two sides sitting seventh and eighth respectively, this one is a fairly "meh" affair. Rino's are always capable of a result, but they have been stuck in first gear so far this year. Strikers are not a juggernaut but they are useful in front of goal, particularly Gavin Lytton who is their six goal man. Look for them to bang in a couple in this one and that should probably be enough to get them all the points this week.
Completely Baseless Predictions - Week 9
GN Sporting v Coquitlam Metro Ford Lupi
It is second hosting third in what is most definitely the MOTW. After a hot start that saw them win five of their first six matches with just a lone loss to blemish their record, Lupi have recently slumped to two less than impressive draws against mid-table sides Rino's and Sierra. This is somewhat reminiscent of their form last season when, after a fantastic start that saw them lead the league into November, they had a dreadful second half of the season and finished mid-table themselves when all was said and done. Perhaps their form has something to do with their inability to get promoted so long as Wolves remain in Premier, though this season that team has not started well and might end up in a relegation battle. If that were the case suddenly Lupi might be in a position to go up, though sources report that is not a focus for this group, who are much more content with a somewhat more recreational pace. GN, on the other hand, know they can go up if they earn that right and with a few players who have top level experience in the FVSL or on the fringes of teams in the VMSL's top division, that is surely a step they would be keen to take. Unfortunately, consistency has long been the issue for the Surrey/Delta boys and that seems to be the case once again this season. They too only had one loss through the opening six weeks of the season and it came against leaders UBC. That being said, GN had been riding their luck somewhat, scoring late goals to win matches and getting the rub of one or two refereeing decisions. All that luck ran out when they inexplicably drew against last place Santos who were without a point to their name when the sides kicked off. The got back on track against the other bottom team, Greencaps, last week but it was a narrow 1-0 win and they left it pretty late once more. On the one hand you could day that GN must have the belief that they can always find a winner; on the other hand you might say that it hardly inspires confidence when your result is always on a knife edge. This should be a top contest and one that probably means just a little bit more to GN than Lupi given the potential promotion ramifications. That being said, it just feels like Lupi are the more consistent team and if GN are expecting to pull one out of the fire late, Metro Ford might not be the kind of team to give them that chance.
Richmond Hibernian v Vancouver Greencaps
Things have been improving of late for Greencaps after just a woeful start. They have picked up a couple of points but they are still mired in the relegation places. They play NorVan next week in what looks to be a must win match, even this early in the season, especiall if NorVan get the job done against Santos this week. Despite their disheartening record, the Irish lads have not exactly been played off the park in their matches, they just cannot seem to find the crucial goal at the crucial time. They put in another good performance against second place GN last week, but were once more on the wrong side of the odd goal, losing 1-0. It will not get any easier against free scoring league leaders UBC this week. "Richmond" were rather inexplicably held to just a 1-0 win themselves against last place Santos, but that was likely an anomaly. One would have to assume that they will be at full strength at home on campus on a Friday night. This one should be fairly straightforward.
NorVan Storm v VAFC Santos
All of a sudden this is a very intriguing match up. After being the punch line of the division through the first four games of the year, in the last four Santos seem to have finally found a formula that works. It might not be a formula for success just yet, but it least it is a formula for respectability and competitiveness. They have allowed only one goal against in each of their last four matches, were apparently unlucky not to earn a point against Sierra when they had a late penalty saved, did earn a point in a draw with second place GN the next and then held league leaders and rampant attackers "Richmond" to just a 1-0 last week. This progress would seem to have them well poised to face a NorVan side who are just barely teetering above the drop zone. Of course, the Storm know the position that they are in and will be well aware that this is a full on relegation six-pointer. The problem for NorVan is they are bleeding goals at the minute. They have conceded 18 in their past five games which makes it 22 total for the season, the second most in the league ahead of only Santos who have given up 28. However, as mentioned, 24 of those were in the first four weeks and of late they have been much tidier. The big issue for Santos is they still are not scoring goals. So it is a team that cannot score against one that cannot defend, making it very tough to pick a favourite. If I had any confidence in them being able to score a goal I might well make Santos the favourites here as I think they can genuinely win this game. If I believed they were capable of scoring two goals, they would be a slam dunk. NorVan, on the other hand, knowing that a win in this game is likely to result in a five point cushion on relegation with a chance to grow that even bigger next week against Greencaps, might well be able to will this one over the line especially at home. No idea here. Call it a draw.
Club Inter EDC Burnaby B v Westside FC A
Having already played the top sides, Westside are now traipsing through the bottom half of the table. So far so good as well as they come into this match on the back of a pair of wins over lower half teams and are unbeaten in their last four matches. With the teams above them playing each other over the next few weeks, Westside has a chance to make a move up the table if they can hold their nerve against the sides below them. Inter may have struggled to begin the season, but they seem to have steadied the ship of late. They have picked up seven points over their last five matches while only conceding seven goals in that stretch. These points have allowed them to climb to safety and the relegation battle is not a major concern just at the moment. It also appears that they have found a goal scorer with Andres Mauricio Rojas Rodriguez now up to six goals on the season, including one in their 2-2 draw last time out against Strikers. That Strikers result was likely Inter's best performance of the year as their two wins have come against the bottom two sides. That being said, they did throw away a two goal lead in that match, so it is not all good news stories for Chinter. Westside will counter with a six goal man of their own as Justin Lee scored again in their 3-1 win over NorVan last time. Westside will need another similarly solid performance if they are to take home the points this week as they are the favourites, but this is by no means a free hit.
Westside FC Sierra v Burnaby Metro Athletic
A quick glance at the schedule might lead you to believe that Burnaby Metro are in a similar position to Westside A in terms of having the chance to make up some ground on the table over then next few weeks. However, a closer look at their schedule reveals that they are yet to play the top teams in the division at that GN and UBC are on deck for the next two weeks. So, yes, Burnaby have a chance to move well up in the table, but it will not come from beating the teams at the bottom of the league, to do it they will need to beat their other sides in the top half of the table. This starts with Westside Sierra who sit sixth, two points behind Metro. Newly promoted Sierra have got their feet well under them at this level and while they are not likely to climb seriously into the promotion race, they are certainly solid opponents for every side they come up against. Case in point, last week they held title challenging Coquitlam to a draw on Lupi's home turf. Burnaby really need these points if they are to position themselves to stay in the promotion fight with big tests coming down the pipe. Tipo Conteh looks to be the man who has stepped into coach Farivar Torabi's shoes and will carry the offensive load for Metro as he is up to six goals on the season. Sierra, meanwhile, hold the dubious distinction of being the only team in the division with anyone suspended this week as they are missing both Pablo Clinaz, their second top scorer, and Armin Khadem Fini. Certainly they will put up a good resistance and they are capable of a result, but I think Metro are slight favourites in what is almost a must win game for them given the table and their upcoming schedule.
Rino's Fury v Vancouver Strikers
We are beginning to reach the stage of the season in Division 1 where we know some teams are pretty much locks to finish mid-table and that looks to be the case for these two teams. Could they go ice cold and drop into the relegation battle? Possibly, but that would also mean the teams below them have to get hot. Could they go on a tear and get into the promotion places? Technically, but already nine points behind and with several teams in their way it is highly unlikely. No it is all but certain that Rino's and Strikers will be back again in Division 1 next season and with the two sides sitting seventh and eighth respectively, this one is a fairly "meh" affair. Rino's are always capable of a result, but they have been stuck in first gear so far this year. Strikers are not a juggernaut but they are useful in front of goal, particularly Gavin Lytton who is their six goal man. Look for them to bang in a couple in this one and that should probably be enough to get them all the points this week.