Writers Prediction League - Spurs at Crystal Palace

The Writers Prediction League is back! With a new Premier League season beginning, the writers of Cartilage Free Captain will again be adding their predictions on each Spurs match. Mechanick was last year's league winner, but the addition of four new writers to the league should only strengthen the competition. The rules remain the same in the Prediction League--one point for a correct prediction, a bonus point for getting the score correct.

The league starts with a trip to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace. Palace were promoted via the Championship Playoffs last season after a 5th place finish. The team has brought in three big-time strikers to boost their chances, as Marouane Chamakh, Kevin Phillips, and Dwight Gayle look to boost The Eagles' goal scoring. Ian Holloway will have to organize his defense to stop Spurs' bevy of attacking options, relying on the likes of Danny Gabbidon to stop Roberto Soldado. Palace's best hope may come in its midfield, as Mile Jedinak has proven himself a mainstay of the Palace midfield.

Here are this year's competitors:

This week's predictions:

Kevin: Our injury concerns and the Bale saga terrify me. Thank god we drew Palace in Week 1. Spurs 1-0

Mechanick: Chamakh is frustrated by a fired up Spurs defense while Roberto Soldado gets his first official Spurs goal. Spurs 2-0

Ryan: It's like I have ESPN or something. My breasts can always tell when it's going to rain. 2-1 Spurs

Ashlock: Bale pulls a Willis Reed (Google that if you don't know it) and hobbles out on to the pitch during warmups. He then spends the next 85 minutes doing mostly nothing before blasting in a screamer from 30 yards out. Spurs 1-0.

The Roosevelts: "GOB BLESS AMERICA 2-3 SPURRS." [via Ryan]

Ed: Our team is a body of solid players, and I genuinely feel like this body is ready. With or without Bale. At least they better look like they are against Crystal Palace. 1-0 Spurs

Petrilli: At the end of the game Levy announces that Bale has been sold to Madrid and Jan will be sold to Vertonghen. He then reveals he got Messi in a swap deal with Barcelona and a clone of Ledley King with perfect cartilage is our new center back. Spurs 2-1

Uncle Menno: We haven't won an opening match since 2009, our team still hasn't gelled, and Palace is going to be well motivated for their first home match of the Prem. I'm gonna be Negative Nancy and say 1-1 Draw. Womp womp.

MCofA: They're bad. We aren't. 2-0 Spurs

The Sleeper's Sleep: Roberto Soldado rains holy fire upon the South London apostates. Gareth Bale sulks while eating a curry. 3-1 Spurs

Lennon's Eyebrow: Our defense is a shambles and Palace takes an early lead. Soldado and Sigurdsson break their hearts with the goals in a Tom Carroll-inspired comeback. 2-1 Spurs

Skipjack: A close 2-1 game gets ugly as Palace get caught chasing an equalizer. 3-1 Spurs