BUAFL Week 5 Predictions

Borders Conference

Edinburgh Predators vs EN Knights

The battle of the Burgh! Two teams struggling to pick up the scraps from the Borders Big 3 (™ Dbl Coverage). The Napier Knights (how do Napier knight differ from regular knights?) won last year and we’re going with that again this year.

Dbl Coverage Predicts: EN Knights to win by 14

UWS Pyros vs Stirling Clansmen

 Stirling get to take out their frustrations from last week loss on the bottom feeders of the Border conference. Not much hope here for UWS and the only way they could keep the score under 40 is by not turning up.

Dbl Coverage Predicts: Stirling by 50

Newcastle Raiders vs Durham Saints

Sitting pretty at the top of the Borders conference, Newcastle are looking good for another run into the Championship playoffs. Durham are another of those teams that just make up numbers and can expect to be thumped this week.

Dbl Coverage Predicts: Newcastle by20

Teesside Cougars vs Northumbria Mustangs
Northumbria are in pole position to grab the last of the 4 playoffs spots in the Border conference and will be looking to maintain their run. Teeside are struggling again this year, leaking points faster than a companies stock rating.

Dbl Coverage Predicts: Northumbria to win by 10

Northern Conference

UH Sharks vs Hallam Warriors

The first real challenge for the Warriors this season, but I don’t expect them to struggle much. Worth pointing out that they don’t just run double wing. Hull have been on a good run of form, but I don’t think they will have the strength to compete in this game.

Dbl Coverage Predicts: Warriors by 30

Leeds Carnegie vs Bradford Bears

Yet another battle between teams aiming for the final playoff spot in a tough conference. Both teams need the win to keep pace with a surprising Bangor squad and the soon to lose Sharks.

Dbl Coverage Predicts: Leeds by 7

Bangor Muddogs vs Huddersfield Hawks

Bangor came down to earth with a bump last week,  getting smashed by the Sabres. Still in for a shout of making the post season they need to get back on the winning path quickly. Huddersfield haven’t had the best of starts this season, shipping 155 points and scoring none. Don’t see much for them here.

Dbl Coverage Predicts: Bangor by 7

MMU Mercenaries vs Leeds Celtics

Leeds will be looking at this game as a way to claw back into the playoff run with teams around them playing better or equal opposition. MMU aren’t faring well so far and don’t look like improving any time soon.

Dbl Coverage Predicts: Leeds by 21

York Centurions vs Manchester Tyrants
York are the last of four teams stuck on 2-1 in the Northern conference. Manchester are pinend to the bottom of the Northern table. These two things point towards a York win!

Dbl Coverage Predicts: York by 14

MAC

Birmingham Lions vs Staffordshire Stallions

Game by game their offence gains even more chemistry and the prospect of facign this team in the playoffs is scary. Unfortunately for Staffs they have to face them now after being brutalised by Loughbrough last week.

Dbl Coverage Predicts: Brum by 35

Loughborough Aces vs Coventry Jets

That other MAC powerhouse (and my favourites for the bowl game) get a go at another minnow to rack the points up against. I don’t expect much from Coventry who are on a two game losing streak.

Dbl Coverage Predicts: Lugbug by 42

Derby Braves vs Nottingham Outlaws

Derby can see this game as another tune up before their big clashes with Lugbug and Brum after Christmas. Nottingham have had an awful schedule so far and it’s not going to improve for this game.

Dbl Coverage Predicts: Derby by 42

DMU Leicester Falcons vs Warwick Wolves

Warwick have struggled to get themselves into the season after starting a week later than most. DMU had a dream start drawing the hapless Royals in week one, but have since struggled against established teams.

Dbl Coverage Predicts: Leicester by 7

Lincoln Colonials vs Worcester Royals

This game has as much attraction as SuBo in latex smeared in tuna on a hot day. Worcester are actually scoring on offence with their novel idea of rotating QBs every play (WHY!?) and Lincoln have a win!

Dbl Coverage Predicts: Lincoln to win by 14

Northampton Nemesis vs Leicester Longhorns

Time for a rant. Blessed with an easy schedule the Nemesis currently sit joint top of the MAC with Brum and Lugbug. With no team over .500 on the rest of their schedule they could make it into the Championship playoffs at the expense of one of the other two teams, who play each other. This is a ridiculous state of affairs. Leicester are also not very good.

Dbl Coverage Predicts: Nemesis to win and continue causing drama

SWAC

Bath Killer Bees vs Tarannau

Tarannau look to have carried on from last season and can’t seem to buy a win. BKB look their usual solid and unspectacular selves.

Dbl Coverage Predicts: BKB to win by 14

UWE Bullets vs Bath Spa Bulldogs

UWE don’t seem to be the force they have been in previous years, but their defence has all the potential to be elite level. Bath Spa have made big improvements on last year, but shouldn’t do much in this game.

Dbl Coverage Predicts: UWE by 35

Bristol Barracuda vs Plymouth Blitz

The closest game of the week in the SWAC. Cuda are a shadow of the team they were last year and the Blitz are riding high after a good win following on from their double hammering by top teams.

Dbl Coverage Predicts: Look for the Blitz to carry on the trend and win by 7

Gloucester Gladiators vs Exeter Demons
Gloucester have been blooding rookies this season and the results show this. They will hope Exeter continue to make mistakes on offence to let them in the game, but Exeter can run the score up against lesser teams.

Dbl Coverage Predicts: Demons to win by 14

Thames Valley Conference

Portsmouth Destroyers vs OBU Panthers

OBU are one of the surprise packages this season and are having a very strong season. Pompey are still the team to beat in the TVC though and their suffocating defence should stop OBU cold.

Dbl Coverage Predicts: Pompey by 14

Brunel Burners vs Solent Redhawks
Solent put up a determined fight againt the superior Stags last week and get an opportunity to try and get a win. Brunel got thumped by BNU and don’t look like doing much this season after a promising start. Serves them right for having a rubbish name really…

Dbl Coverage Predicts: Solent to win by 14

SEC
LSBU Spartans vs Hertfordshire Hurricanes

I didn’t realise this, but Herts have last years MVP’s from the London Blitz, Farnham Knights, Bristol Aztecs AND Sussex Thunder. That’s not a bad thing to have. LSBU have grown tremendously, but I have to go with the best team in the country.

Dbl Coverage Predicts: Herts by 35 (I’m gonna get hated either way…)

Essex Blades vs Cambridge Pythons

Cambridge haven’t done badly for an associate team, but they will struggle against an established Blades team comfortably sitting in third place.

Dbl Coverage Predicts: Essex by 21

Greenwich Mariners vs Kent Falcons

Greenwich look like they have improved this season and will have hopes for a playoff spot in the plate championship. However they play a Kent Falcons team that look very strong, but who may struggle against a good defence.

Dbl Coverage Predicts: Kent Falcons by 7 (even more hate…)

Anglia Ruskin Phantoms vs UEA Pirates

Anglia Ruskin are the consistent losers of the SEC and we don’t see this trend suddenly changing. UEA have quickly gotten out of the blocks to a very average record but will look to get over .500 this weekend. 

Dbl Coverage Predicts: UEA by 35

Westminster Dragons vs Canterbury Chargers

A battle of two teams with 1-2 records. Neither have much hope of getting into the playoffs, but Canterbury have the advantage of experience.

Dbl Coverage Predicts:  Canterbury by 14