BUAFL Week 7 Predictions

Football is well and truly back!

After last weekends (slightly uninspiring domination) game we are back to a slightly fuller schedule.

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Border

UWS Pyros @ Sunderland Spartans
The .500 Spartans take on the UWS Pyros, who can't seem to buy a win. The Pyros really need to improve if they aren't going to be the divisions whipping boys again.

Sunderland will be looking up in hope that one of the big four sitting in the play-off spots slips up to give them a shot at the post season.
Sunderland to win by four scores

EN Knights @ Edinburgh Predators
A big rivalry game in the second city of Scotland which has the added importance of deciding the direction of each teams seasons. Win and there is still hope of the play-off's, lose and you are playing for glory.

The Knights have already had to face Glasgow and Stirling and been found wanting, while the Preds have failed to capitalise on the early shock win over Glasgow.
Preds to win by a score



Newcastle Raiders @ Teeside Cougars
Teeside must be looking at this fixture and asking "why us?" Newcastle look on course for yet another division title and are cruising at the top of the table, but they have to avoid slip ups to guarantee a place in the Championship with Stirling, Northumbria and Glasgow hot on their heels.
Newcastle by six scores

Northern

MMU Eagles @ Staffordshire Stallions
Two teams that are yet to win a game, however Stafford's losses have come against Derby, Loughborough and Birmingham. MMU have played in some close games, but they still sit at 0 and 4.

Staffs have enough in their team to pull off this victory and start the new year strongly.
Staffs to win by three scores

MAC


Birmingham Lions @ Lincoln Colonials (to be played at Birmingham)
Another step on the road to the play-offs for Birmingham.  Brum's offence - containing Dirisu, Glover, Conroy, Brown et al - look set to continue their tune-up for the bigger clashes to come, with Derby and Loughborough looming large on the horizon.

Lincoln were beaten every which-way by NTU last Sunday, and things won't exactly be getting any easier this week.  Having seen the way the Renegades ran all over them (32 points on the ground), the Colonials will no doubt be having nightmares about the Lions high-tempo offence.
Birmingham by a 50+ shutout.


Warwick Wolves @ Leicester Longhorns
One win for each of these teams so far in 2011/12, and this promises to be a closely-fought - if not high scoring - encounter.  Warwick are coming off the back of a pre-Christmas win over DMU, but their progress so far can be judged by defeats to NTU and a shutout loss against Loughborough.

Leicester meanwhile are still adjusting to their new double wing offence, with their W coming over a poor Coventry Jets side.  The Wolves rushing attack will make the difference in this one, with the experience of Tino Charamba and Chip Osibamowo being key.
Warwick by eight.


DMU Falcons @ Nottingham Outlaws
A must win game for Nottingham should see them do just that.  DMU notched an early win against woeful Worcester, but have since been double-winged by Northampton and battered by Derby, before turning in a respectable performance against Warwick.  How the rookie team responds to this re-arranged game so soon after the Christmas break will be key in the margins.

Nottingham need to win out to reach the post-season, and that should start on Sunday.  Wide receiver Andre Mathers has scored the bulk of the Outlaws points, but expect them to spread it around as the look ahead to the much tougher test of NTU in next week's Varsity clash.
Nottingham to win by three scores


SWAC


Cardiff Cobras @ Exeter Demon
Exeter are not the biggest team in the Conf but they have pace and a tricky single wing offense that will catch out any team not properly prepared and up for the challenge. Cardiff have emerged as a potential Conference winner if they start the second half of the season strong.

It could be a blow out if Cardiff over power Exeter and this will be a good test of the Cobras credentials for a tilt at the Play offs proper.
The Cobras extend their record breaking run by 1-2 scores.

Tarranau Aberystwyth @ Bristol Barracuda
Cuda have been a shadow of last years team and will be dissapointed with how the team have performed this season after making it into the post season last year.

Aber have also been a bit of a train wreck and have only scored six points all season in comparison to the Cudas 40.
Cuda by 2 scores

Plymouth Blitz @ Bath Spa Bulldogs
Plymouth are a surging, big, hard hitting team who are now past the games against table topping UWE and second place Cardiff. We fully expect them to reach the post season representing the SWAC in the Challenge Cup at the very least.

Bath are an established team in this conference, but they still seem to be a bit jekyl and Hyde from season to season. This is one of their down years and they will be hoping to pick it up ASAP.
Plymouth by three scores


UWE Bullets @ Swansea Titans
The Titans have improved since last year and are fundamentally a better team, the coaching group are making strides with the technical standards and although they are a decent size they lack speed in crucial positions.

UWE's defence look very good and aggressive and the offence look like their are building through the season, this should be a tougher game for them than past meetings.
UWE to win by two scores

TVC


RHUL Bears @ Solent Redhawks
Solent are the surprising team in the TVC. Surprising because they have performed so badly after what was a great season last year reaching the Semi Finals and missing out to Hull!

RHUL have improved after a push for more coaches over the summer and are looking to establish themselves as a mid table team in another tough conference.
Solent to win by a score


SEC


Brighton Tsunami @ Westminster Dragons
Westminster have been a solid addition to the SEC on their first season. They have struggled against the more established teams, but still got a win over TVC whipping boys Surrey.

Brighton will be a tough proposition for the Dragons though as the they look to get their campaign back on track.
Brighton to win by three scores

Keep it locked to Dbl Coverage over the weekend as we bring you the scores from the games as well as reports from the GB trials in Bristol.