Around the sports: Crowd beats season standards almost across the board
The crowd finished the week to 20 October 2026 above its season result accuracy in every competition except the NBA. That is a decent starting point for the group chat. MLB led the way at 70% against a season average of 52%, while football brought widespread improvement. These figures include every player, so this is the whole crowd taking stock, not just the bragging corner.
Championship
Results called right
36%
Up 9 points on the season (27%)
Exact scores nailed
3%
Down 2 points on the season (5%)
League One
Results called right
38%
Up 17 points on the season (21%)
Exact scores nailed
7%
Up 4 points on the season (3%)
League Two
Results called right
36%
Up 16 points on the season (20%)
Exact scores nailed
6%
Up 3 points on the season (3%)
Champions League
Results called right
46%
Up 6 points on the season (40%)
Exact scores nailed
2%
Down 2 points on the season (4%)
Better results, trickier scorelines
League One reached 38% result accuracy against its season average of 21%, while League Two posted 36% against 20%. The Championship also improved, landing at 36% compared with 27%. Plenty to feel good about across those divisions.
Getting the scoreline right was a different conversation. Championship exact score accuracy slipped to 3% against a season average of 5%. The Champions League had a similar split: result accuracy rose to 46% from a season benchmark of 40%, but exact scores came in at 2% against 4%.
The Bundesliga managed both jobs, with 39% result accuracy against 28% and 10% exact score accuracy against 5%. Now that is a tidier report card.
Crowd vs reality
San Antonio Spurs 123-103 Phoenix Suns
New York Rangers 4-1 Tampa Bay Lightning
Las Vegas Raiders 30-33 Buffalo Bills
San Francisco 49ers 23-17 Washington Commanders
Burnley FC 2-2 Charlton Athletic
Borussia Mönchengladbach 1-2 TSG Hoffenheim
Confidence rewarded across the Atlantic
The NBA was the exception to the broader improvement, finishing at 49% result accuracy against a season average of 50%. Still, there was a standout call: 81% backed the winning outcome as San Antonio Spurs beat Phoenix Suns 123-103.
In the NHL, New York Rangers delivered a 4-1 win over Tampa Bay Lightning, rewarding 78% backing. NHL result accuracy reached 57%, above its season average of 52%. The NFL also edged ahead of its usual mark, recording 54% against 52%. Not every confident call came unstuck.
The draws that spoiled the chat
Only 10% backed the draw as Burnley FC finished 2-2 with Charlton Athletic. A useful reminder that a better week overall still leaves room for a proper crowd wrong-footer.
There was another awkward draw when Lille ended 1-1 with Brest, an outcome backed by 11%. Meanwhile, Borussia Mönchengladbach lost 1-2 to TSG Hoffenheim, with 11% on the winning outcome. Those were not results for the crowd to take a collective bow over.
No agreement, then an away win
Wrexham v West Bromwich Albion was the most divided fixture. The split had Wrexham at 38%, the draw at 24% and West Bromwich Albion at 38%.
It finished Wrexham 1-2 West Bromwich Albion. Equal backing for the teams, but only the away-win side of that debate had the result right. A ready-made topic for mates who could not agree before the game.
Where the crowd is leaning next
Montreal Canadiens lead the most backed teams for the week ahead at 87%, followed by Detroit Lions at 82%. Edmonton Oilers have 81% backing, with Los Angeles Clippers at 78%.
That is plenty of confidence heading into the next set of games, but this week supplied enough reminders that agreement does not settle a result. Fancy siding with the crowd or giving your mates something to argue about? Make your calls.
NHL
Crowd split when this post was written.
NFL
Crowd split when this post was written.
NHL
Crowd split when this post was written.