Welcome to the week 15 preview.

Game of the Week

Deflators @ Inbhir Narann

Two teams in AC West with 23 wins between them and both needing this win to take the division.
Deflators were the all-conquering team of the season until their week twelve defeat by 13 to Divers. They are now 12-1, guaranteed a playoff place and must be one of the favourites to promote. Unfortunately, even with all these achievements their division is balanced on a knife-edge, and they face arguably their hardest game of the season needing to win, if they are to win the division.
Inbhir Narann are 11-2 having lost by 14 @ Deflaters early in the season, and the surprising defeat while hosting LM Pirates. They may not have beaten some of the better teams by much but the 10 point win over Divers and 6 point win @ Basterds point to a team that can beat anybody on their day.
Whoever wins this game will win the division. If Deflators win this game they will have a two game lead and it seems highly unlikely that they would lose their final two games, despite them being against two good teams (home to Basterds and a visit to Severnside Cardinals). If Inbhir Narann win they will be tied on wins and trailing by at most 65 but with their final two games being against bot teams the point difference will become irrelevant and they will end the season as AC West champions. This really could go either way and the superior playbook will probably make the difference. My philosophy is, if in doubt go for the home team.

Deflators 20 Inbhir Narann 33

Amersfoort Alligators @ The SQUALES of Beach

Amersfoort are three games and 180 points ahead of Bison City Nightcrew and are just waiting for confirmation of the division. They look like a comfortable team usually scoring enough to get the win, though they do have a tendency to let decent teams score against them.
The SQUALES of Beach have only won one of their last seven games, thank goodness for a good start. They are now 7-6 and could still conceivably make the playoffs.
The Alligators probably don't even need a win to finish the champions of NC North. The Squales could do with winning their last three games to really challenge for the playoffs and this is their toughest game left. I can see Squales holding on for the win, though I'm not sure if they'll sneak into the playoffs, they can atleast prolong their season for a little longer.

Amersfoort Alligators 17 The SQUALES of Beach 21

The Green Machine @ Die Verdammten

It is a little known fact that if Dayton Tornados and SimKonville Fraggles had both gone bot a little earlier in the season, then The Green Machine would be 9-4 and strongly challenging for the playoffs. As it is 7-6 remains a remarkable achievement that will bode very well for the next season, but before then they still have a few matches to play. The first of them is at Die Verdammten.
Die Verdammten could tie up a playoff place with a win today but will have to wait a little before they can win the division, with Toledo Tigers running them close in NC East. This is the toughest game Die Verdammten have left and a win would definitely point to division champions for them.
The Machine's last eight results have all been impressive, though not all have resulted in wins. Die Verdammten, though, really seem to be hitting their stride. I think The Green Machine will possibly keep it close but Die Verdammten should be unstoppable before the playoffs.

The Green Machine 3 Die Verdammten 20

Basterds @ Totoras Patriots

Basterds will be looking for the win here to take them into the playoffs. With tough games still to come, the wildcard place seems the far more likely outcome for this team.
Totoras Patriots need to win their remaining three games just to avoid a losing season. Like The Green Machine, Totoras will be a team to keep in mind when predicting next seasons playoff teams. This season, even allowing for their schedule they've seemed a little anaemic. 5-2 at home is not too bad but add to that that this team is still waiting for their first win on the road and it is soon seen why they are fighting to finish 8-8.
Basterds shouldn't have too much trouble winning this game. The Patriots seem to really struggle against the best teams in the league, and despite the Basterds only making the wildcard position, they remain one of the very best.

Basterds 33 Totoras Patriots 13

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Hucknall Broncos

Pittsburgh Steelers despite a 3-12 record, won't be relegated, as they are still to face two bot teams. So far their wins have come against Ramsey, Chesterton and a bot team. They haven't set the world alight are frequently blown apart against the half decent sides.
Hucknall Broncos are competing with Divers for the senior playoff place. They currently trail Divers by 26 PD but with a run-in that could possibly see them winning all their games by 60+ the PD should end up in their favour.
Pittsburgh Steelers are probably going to be Hucknall Broncos toughest remaining opponent but even taking this into account I can't see this game being anything but a blow out.

Pittsburgh Steelers 3 Hucknall Broncos 52

Steelers @ Bison City Nightcrew

Steelers are having a late resurgence, too late to run for the playoffs but enough to raise their hopes for the next season.
Bison City Nightcrew had a heroic defeat last game and seem to be another team setting their pitch for next season.
In theory Bison City are still playing for a place in the playoffs, Steelers simply for pride. Bison City's playoff hopes could well be dashed in this game.

Steelers 22 Bison City Nightcrew 16

PGI Andorre Solutions @ M. Divers

PGI are playing out their final few games with the knowledge that they won't be in Thunder 1:1 next season.
Divers are competing for the number one spot in the NC half of the playoffs.
There's not much to write about in this confrontation - it a trouncing in Divers favour.

PGI Andorre Solutions 0 M. Divers 84

Ramsey Raiders @ LM Pirates

Ramsey Raiders are still trying to avoid a relegation game. They have little chance of gaining another victory this season, and avoiding a relegation game may be too much for them too.
LM Pirates lead Wild Thangs by a game and 101 PD. They're still not certain of getting into the playoffs and won't be after this game.
Ramsey should be looking to finish the building their stadium so they can start competing financially with the other teams in the league. They'll have their fingers crossed about the relegation game and could well hang onto their Thunder 1:1. LM Pirates will take another step towards the playoffs.

Ramsey Raiders 9 LM Pirates 37

Budapest Wolves @ Jac Team

Budapest Wolves could seal the AC North division with a victory in this game. they are currently on a seven game winning streak and that should go to ten by the end of the season. They are now starting to show that they could just be in Elite next season.
Jac team still need a win to avoid a relegation match but don't have any obviously winnable matches to come. Their weakest opponent left is Xu Da, certainly no gimme there.
This looks like another one-sided match with the Wolves running out as easy winners.

Budapest Wolves 46 Jac Team 0

Xu Da @ Ville Vikings

Xu Da's form recently has been just horrible. They could still end up the title winners in AC South, but to do that they would almost certainly need to win their last three games. All winnable, none easy.
Ville Viking's are hoping to finish AC South champions but they too don't have any easy games left. This game is their last home game and possibly the most winnable.
It's all very claustrophobic in AC South and frankly too close to call. Xu Da looked strong favourites only five games ago. Now their season is on life-support. Ville Vikings have really come from nowhere to lead the division but aren't assured champions - yet. It's certainly a confusing division and I can see a result here that will add to the confusion.

Xu Da 19 Ville Vikings 12

Shropshire Swifts @ Toledo Tigers

Shropshire Swifts are simply making up the numbers in the rest of their games. With no real chances left to get wins. They should bounce back, their stadium is almost fully built and they should gain valuable experience and be a much more competitive team in season 25.
Toledo Tigers should manage a win in all their remaining games. It won't be enough to get them the division but will give them momentum going into the playoffs.
A predictable and easy victory for The Tigers.

Shropshire Swifts 10 Toledo Tigers 37

UNTOUCHABLES @ Wolflings

Untouchables should now have avoided any worries about relegation. They will be concerned that last season they finished 7-9 and this season they're on 4-9 and won't improve much on that this season. A rethink for next season may be in order or perhaps there is a long term strategy. This season is over for them and the next season doesn't look too special which is disappointing for them.
Wolfings season is a little hit and miss. They have beaten Xu Da (easily) but have lost to Steelers. They have invested, primarily for the next season. They look like an improving team but still have work to do.
This is a game between two teams who's seasons are over. This game may point to next seasons form and with that in mind Wolfings should manage a victory.

UNTOUCHABLES 14 Wolflings 27

Wild Thangs @ SimKonville Fraggles

Wild Thangs have a nice rest this week as they continue to challenge for the AC East. The next two games will define their season, which could lead them to AC East champions, wildcard or not quite a playoff place. It is a nervous time for Wild Thangs but they take this game happily.

Wild Thangs w/o SimKonville Fraggles

Severnside Cardinals @ Parma Horses

Severnside Cardinals also will be enjoying a relaxing win this week. Their target is a winning season which would necessitate a win over Wild Thangs. The playoffs are probably beyond them but they can still get excited about their achievements this season.

Severnside Cardinals w/o Parma Horses

Dayton Tornados @ Chesterton Cheese

Chesterton Cheese will be relishing the relief of hopefully avoiding a relegation game with a win here. It's as much as they can hope for in a season that has seen significant personnel changes. Whether they can avoid the drop is still in the balance but they have hope.

Dayton Tornados Chesterton Cheese w/o

Texas Tech @ Flow Gaming

Flow Gaming are still chasing Ville Vikings in a very tight AC South. With Xu Da and Ville Vikings still to come it's not easy to see where they will finish. Hope still remains high but honestly, who knows?

Texas Tech Flow Gaming w/o