Final Round Predictions

The ACL is finally approaching its conclusion (thank God!). Here are the predictions for tomorrow's matches -

1) Psychat's Merchants v/s Craydit's Crayditors
A match-up that puts my most accurate predictees (Crayditors, 100%) against my least accurate predictees (Merchants, 25%).
I'm going to call the Merchants to win in a walkover. I can't imagine the Crayditors making the long trip to the Village for a meaningless game. Morale in their camp is understandably low. Craydit still wants at least one win for the tournament, but he has a better chance of winning Rakhi Ka Swayamvar Season 2 before that. Peda & Dushman remain unavailable (Hey Peda - whatz going on?). Zen is threatening to go on strike because of the lack of support he has been getting. Kisna has been complaining that captaincy has put him under a lot of pressure, just like Sachin Tendulkar a few years back.
The Merchants will be happy with the walkover, even if it isn't ideal preparation for the semis. If the match does happen, they'll at least have more support than the Crayditors (everyone else will be playing at the same time). They'll also want to take special care to make my prediction come right this time - a loss might put them in 4th place, and hand them a semi against the all-conquering Vindaloos. Plus Radio Bharati will then need to send another broadcast in the questionable "sporting spirit of Merchants".

2) Humpty Dumpty's Anda-Bondas v/s Everyish's Blackbucks
Even though both teams are through to the semis, this is the only match of the week with something at stake. If the Blackbucks win, semi-final spots will be decided on net run rate, and they then have a chance of avoiding the Vindaloos in the semis. A win for the Anda-Bondas, on the other hand, will give them momentum going into the semis, and will cement their place as second-favorites.
I call the Anda-Bondas to win. The Blackbucks are a decent side, but not that good. This prediction could still go wrong if RRC comes up with another brilliant batting performance. B-Shoe is also overdue for a big innings now. Betaal's bowling is always unpredictable, and could swing this match either way. One thing is for sure - he won't be called for chucking, because the Blackbucks (unlike the Vindaloos) are too sporting a team to do something like that.

3) Osama's Taliban v/s Big Vindaloos Vindaloos
Mathematically, a win for the Taliban might still take them into the semis. However, let's remember that this is a team that has lost 3 in a row, surpassed only by the Crayditors. The Taliban also have the worst net run rate in the entire ACL, so a win by itself won't be enough - it needs to be a big one. Practically, the Indian football team has a better chance of defeating Brazil.
Naturally, I call the Vindaloos to win. They will not want to lose momentum going into the finals, and this match is a good opportunity to practice all the aspects of their game - batting, bowling, sledging, umpire-intimidation etc.
One area that the Vindaloos might want to work on is their opening. They have a habit of losing their top-order pretty quickly, irrespective of who they're playing against and who they send in. The Taliban should keep that in mind, lest they start celebrating after picking up 1-2 early Vindaloo wickets.
The Taliban should also feel good if (when?) they lose this one - they will become the second side to qualify to watch the game from the sidelines. Not the most glamorous job, but still important. Well done!