Lets try the preview a bit different this season.

I will look at the ELO list and do a small writing on the team, starting with the weakest and then upward.

#19 ELO = 495 Fixed Bills
Very new team (roughly 3 weeks), working on the stadium, which is a good thing.
For now, did so far only get 3 draft players, no youth pulls, no transfers, which likely means, the manager is focused on the stadium build. Great.
Located in the NC South, the only division with 4 human controlled teams, the team is bound to end up last inside the division, which is no shame.
No playoff spot, of course and depended on the development likely a 6 win season is ahead of them.

#18 ELO = 505 MTB Beavers
Also a very new team (roughly a month), but with a different outlook for the season. Stadium is in building mode, right now already 60K+ seats available. A few coaches already hired, active on the transfer market and in the youth acadamy. Lucky for them, they got into the NC East and the only human competitor Trnje has financial problems and with that no ending in near sight.
The Beavers did beat Trnje on opening weekend by 3 and they might even win the division. It might get ruined by a slightly tougher schedule than the division rival, so the rematch will be for sure very important. If they make the playoffs as division champ, the 1st playoff game will very likely be a big beating. If they finish #2 inside the division, chances are high, they will not make the playoffs.

#17 ELO = 509 Terran Emperors
Another quite new team (roughly 1.5 month old), the team builds the stadium (right now at 38K+) and did already hire some coaches and did pump up the roster wage amount quite high in that development state. A hint from me, focus on the stadium, big time, otherwise your team will implode, once the wages get too high and the mediacenter income is cut (you have right now an automatic payment, which will stop end of the next season and then you have to pledge AFTER rollover or no money will come from that, which is right now 2.75 mio per financial update!). Located in the AC South, the team will for sure not win the division and will finish #2 or #3 against Birmingham as direct competitor. Hard to tell, which team will prevail here. Likely no playoff spot inside the conference.

#16 ELO = 530 Valverde Mulos
Already almost a full season under their belly, the team is still building the stadium and did already hire coaches. The wage bill is low, so hopefully the team will get the stadium fully build fast, but right now it looks like the manager lost a bit of interest. Located inside the AC West the team will for sure not win the division and will finish #2 inside the division. Snappers are way to mature to have problems with that new team. The schedule features several tough cookies, so likely also no playoff spot inside the conference.

#15 ELO = 544 Birmingham Iron
With a fill season under the belly, the Iron and fit to build up towards the next step. Stadium is fully build, which means, lots of money will come in. No coaches yet, roster is building up from the market and draft and youth acadamy. Still away from really competing for the division title. Not sure, where the team will fair against the Emperors. Normally they should prevail, but you never know. With the schedule in mind, the team is not bound to make the playoffs.

#14 ELO = 569 Copenhagen Lions
The Lions did come in, build fast and then did not care about the team shortly after rollover. They came in then a bit after, did (hopefully) take care of business and left the team since then (1 week) alone. Stadium not fully build, the wages of coaches and players already quite high, the team looks a bit like it will implode at some point. The team is 4 month old, so in 2 month, shortly before the rollover, the mediacenter payments will end and if he has not the cash to pledge next season, the team will get financial troubles. In terms of strength the team has all tools to actually making the playoffs as wildcard team, thanks to lack of competion inside the NC. Inside the NC South they will likely finish #3.

#13 ELO = 675 Trnje
This team did almost everything wrong a manager can do wrong in this game. Stadium not fully build, pumping up the roster and the coaches setup, of course failing to get the mediacenter pledged at the right time and since roughly 1+ season is the team in constant decline, because of serious financial trouble. Players are cut, selling players did mostly fail, TC, Moral and PC is a nightmare. The team might not even win the division as a fallout of all those actions and that would hurt them even more, since they need the playoff money. Likely they will find financial stabillity in this season, once the have a league and a supercup homegame (or maybe 2). Hopefully they will then focus on the stadium, clean up the roster and start over. The game against their division rival inside the NC East, the Beavers, is essential. The team NEED the division title to cash in as much money as possible.

#11 (tie) ELO = 695 Blatná Jaguars
Another team, which did came off the tracks. Compared to Trnje did this team act even more careless. The stadium is in baby state and needs A LOT of money to get the team back on track. But without the stadium, the whole compaign is senseless. Roster too big, coaches, even the few, too many, equals financial trouble. The team implodes right now and thanks to the baby stadium, will need a long to to recover, if the manager wishes to do so.
So far did he not login too often, so maybe the team will fall BOT at some point. If not, inside the AC North the team will finish #3 and will not make the playoffs inside the conference.

#11 (tie) ELO = 695 Lutetia Chaotic Smile
Already some time inside the game, the team is buidling up to compete. All indicators do point towards improvement. Inside the NC North the team will win the division by default, since all other teams went BOT or switched region for a BOT. They will have a hard time in the playoffs, likely a one and done, but you never know.

#10 ELO = 752 KAFakofers
Inside the NC West the team does try to build up since seasons, but for whatever reason, failed to do so, so far. Sometimes the team is left alone for some time, which does not help. They will finish #2 inside the division and will likely not make the playoffs, but might do so, thanks to a quite easy schedule.
If so, they will get spanked in the 1st round, likely.

And part 2 of the preview:

#9 ELO = 821 Cottbus Cobras
The Cobras are in the AC North together with the team with the highest ELO value, right now. They have also some financial problems, which might be gone after the home game today. Fact is, they have no deep pockets and the teams wage (players and coaches) bill is in the area, where a deep playoff run is essential to keep the team going. Very likely will the team not win the division, but making the playoff as wild card team. There they will face likely higher rated team.

#8 ELO = 830 Orono Ancient Snappers
The Snappers will likely win their division AC West with a lack of competition. The team itself is far beyond a healthy wage bill and will very likely have the numbers in red at the end of the season, so hopefully the savings are big enough. If this is all in, the team will face in the playoff eventually a wildcard game and from there, the AC is very competitive.

#7 ELO = 914 Berlin Racoons
The Racoons are back from Elite and went into the quite competitive NC South. Panthers will give them likely a hard time for the division title race. Not sure who will pevail. Berlin will make the playoffs, the rest will depend on the division rival series. The wage situation is grim, the team needs a deep run to gain money. My guess is a division title is theirs to lose and from here all is open. Since the NC is not as competitive as the AC, it will depend on the seatings.

#6 ELO = 944 Caplit e salama
Also back from Elite, the team did go to the AC East and will face one tough cookie for the division title race. Since it seems the roster got some retirements and cleanups, likely the team will not win the division and will play in the playoffs as wild card team.

#5 ELO = 1010 Paxtang Black Panthers
Is this the season the Black Panthers can finally win again a division title? Inside the NC South the team had since ages always a team ahead of them and even it was close at times, they did finish 2nd. This season the team is setup big, but has again a tough cookie as rival. The roster wage is high, so a deep run is needed to stay out of the red. I picked them to get in the playoffs as wild card team, but the direct matchups against Berlin will likely settle that for good. Everything is possible.

#4 ELO = 1014 Leverkusen Leopards
The Leopards have a competitive team, but is set to do a roster makeover for the next few seasons. They play inside the NC West and will win the division. From there the seatings inside the conference will decide the season outcome. The team will likely make a deeper playoff run, but how deep is open.

#3 ELO = 1025 Trnava Saints
The Saints inside the AC East did get a good team as new rival, with Caplit e salama. Likely the Saints will win the division this season, based on a strong roster, which is on the edge to become too expensive, if the team don't want to overspend. The division title and a deep playoff run will help to keep the financial aspects in check and maybe they will aim for Elite.

#2 1054 Rio Monarchs
A 3rd Elite returning team came as transfer from Claymores to Monarchs regian and will have instand impact on the playoff picture. The AC South is theirs, for sure. The roster is stacked, the team needs a deep run to sustain the bills, but with the team in that shape, likely they will have a deep run and will eventually aim for a return to Elite.

#1 ELO = 1083 Suchdol Minors
The Minors are right now the highest rated team in ELO for the Monarchs region and are primed to win the AC North and beyond. The wages are at the edge of becoming unhealthy, but with the playoffs save and a trip to Elite at least ahead, this season should be a cruise. But when the playoffs start, the AC will have latest at divisional playoffs stage a very competitive character, so no guarantees for any team. The top 3 teams are right now all in the AC and that means something.

Hey Jack,

what a nice post. I really like your new approach. Especially the younger teams get a good insight into the different phases of building a team, and beyond that it is entertaining and informative. Thanks for that!

Will there also be updates from time to time with this new format? #nopressure

Great post! I know you are in Monarchs but can you make previews for some of the other leagues too? Just curious...