PREDICTION CUP -- WOODEN SPOON!!!

The World Cup has its embarrassing, unnecessary third-place playoff. England has its embarrassing, unnecessary Carling Cup. The Boot Room has its proud, essential PREDICTION CUP -- WOODEN SPOON!!! Yep, it's a second chance for the also-rans, those who didn't quite cut the mustard or make the grade. A repechage, if you like. Although I certainly don't.

Right, so I think a good place to start is by nominating the players. Geoff is of course going to be one of them. I've already carved his name in stone, with a permanent marker, in the tournament list. But who dares give the little fella a good hiding this weekend? Maybe Riis, who in his round failed to predict a single correct result (which, by the new scoring system, would have given him a record score of -52)? Or maybe CT, who lost to a Frenchman? Please feel free to nominate somebody else, or yourself. And if you want to play this weekend, just email me your predictions for the following games:

Arsenal v Watford, 15:00
Aston Villa v Tottenham, 15:00
Liverpool v Blackburn, 15:00
Man City v Sheff Utd, 15:00
Middlesbrough v Everton, 15:00
Portsmouth v West Ham, 15:00
Reading v Chelsea, 17:15
Wigan v Man Utd, 12:45
Newcastle v Bolton, 16:00

And don't forget to include a first-goal predictions in case of a draw.

Yes, it sure is an EXCITING COMPETITION!!!