Worth slightly less than a transfer window, worried that a change of manager has made no difference, sporting longer hair than some Man Utd supporters, playing in a formation that was unfashionable and illegal 60 years ago, and somehow getting the full support of the Chairman, it’s our 2025-26 Premier League Predictions Week 13.
Each gameweek in this 2025-26 Premier League season we offer up a stat filled prediction preview, with some barely interesting stats and visuals, just enough to bluff your way through various tipping competitions or betting shops.
We also attempted to guess the final Premier League ladder in advance. Follow the link to that here.
Barely Interesting Stats – 2025-26 Premier League Predictions Week 13 – Stats and Thoughts
Help yourself to a buffet of barely interesting stats, quick one liners and more to help pick a winner.
BEST OF WEEK 13 STATS
Sunderland are one of the five teams to still be unbeaten at home this season (W3 D3).
Spurs’ xG v Arsenal last weekend was 0.03. Only Burnley have a worse expected goals total at home this season.
Aston Villa have played the most Sunday games this season and have the second best Points per Game with a W4 D1 L1 record.
Liverpool have lost just one of their last 17 games v West Ham going back to 2017 (W14 D2 L1). Three goals or more have been scored in 13 of those 17 games.
2025-26 Premier League Predictions Week 13
SAT 3PM – BRENTFORD v BURNLEY
Stats: Brentford have won their last two home games v Burnley 3-0 and 2-0. Brentford are W1 L2 v current bottom six teams this season and have lost their only game to a promoted side. Burnley have lost both of their away games v middle eight teams. Burnley are W1 L5 on the road this season. Brentford are a solid W4 D1 L1 at home.
Verdict: The most Saturday 3pm kick off game of the week.
Prediction: Brentford 2 Burnley 0
SAT 3PM – MANCHESTER CITY v LEEDS
Stats: Man City have won their last four games v Leeds. Leeds have lost both of their games v big six clubs so far. Man City have won their only game v promoted sides. Man City have won both of their games so far against the current bottom six clubs, Leeds have lost all three games v current top six sides.
Verdict: One does wonder how badly Pep will crack it if they lose this one. Can’t see that happening though.
Prediction: Man City 3 Leeds 0
SAT 3PM – SUNDERLAND v BOURNEMOUTH
Stats: Sunderland are one of the five teams to still be unbeaten at home this season (W3 D3). Bournemouth (W1 D2 L3) have won just once away from home. Three of the five games played between these sides at Sunderland have ended in a draw. The other two are a win for each team. Bournemouth’s only game v promoted sides this season ended in a draw. Both sides are W1 D1 L1 v current middle eight sides. Bournemouth are currently conceding three more goals than expected goals says they should. Sunderland have conceded three fewer.
Verdict: Who’d think this game would be 7th v 8th and that’s after both sides haven’t won in their last three games.
Prediction: Sunderland 1 Bournemouth 1
SAT 5:30PM – EVERTON v NEWCASTLE
Stats: Everton are winless in their last three home games v Newcastle on a Saturday (D1 L2). Newcastle are winless away this season (D3 L3) and have lost three in a row coming into this game. Everton’s home record this season is W3 D2 L1. Newcastle are winless v current middle eight teams D1 L2.
Verdict: The two Manchester defeating teams from last weekend meet looking to edge away from relegation trouble. Newcastle’s away form won’t help.
Prediction: Everton 1 Newcastle 1
SAT 8PM – TOTTENHAM v FULHAM
Stats: Spurs are undefeated in their last six home games to Fulham (W4 D2). Fulham are undefeated in their last two Sunday games v Spurs W1 D1. Fulham (D1 L1) are winless on a Sunday this season and Spurs aren’t much better at W1 L2. Spurs’ xG v Arsenal last weekend was 0.03. Only Burnley have a worse expected goals total at home this season.
Verdict: Is Ange available?
Prediction: Spurs 0 Fulham 0
SUN 12PM – CRYSTAL PALACE v MANCHESTER UTD
Stats: Crystal Palace are undefeated in their last four matches v Man Utd (W3 D1). It’s four undefeated at home to Man Utd too, but the results are reversed (W1 D3). Man Utd are winless away to London clubs this season D2 L1. Crystal Palace are 1/1 at home to big six clubs. Crystal Palace are currently underperforming to their expected goals by 6.5. Man Utd are underperforming by 3.5 goals. Crystal Palace have drawn their two home games on a Sunday this season.
Verdict: This could be either very entertaining or frustrating.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 2 Man Utd 2
SUN 2:05PM – ASTON VILLA v WOLVES
Stats: Aston Villa have won their last two home games v Wolve and the only Sunday game at Villa Park v Wolves. Aston Villa have won six of their last seven games in the league and their last four at home. Wolves have one point from six games away this season, it doesn’t help when you’ve only scored one goal away. Aston Villa have played the most Sunday games this season and have the second best Points per Game with a W4 D1 L1 record. Wolves’ Sunday record is D1 L1.
Verdict: Poor Wolves. New manager may not help.
Prediction: Aston Villa 3 Wolves 1
SUN 2:05PM – WEST HAM v LIVERPOOL
Stats: Only Wolves have worse last six form than Liverpool. They have now lost six of their last seven games. Liverpool only lost four games in total last season. Liverpool have lost just one of their last 17 games v West Ham going back to 2017 (W14 D2 L1). Three goals or more have been scored in 13 of those 17 games. Liverpool have won six of the last seven games on a Sunday v West Ham. The Hammers have scored as many points as Tottenham since Nuno was hired.
Verdict: How low can it go for Liverpool? Probably the sack for either manager if they lose.
Prediction: West Ham 2 Liverpool 2
SUN 2:05PM – NOTTINGHAM FOREST v BRIGHTON
Stats: 19 goals have been scored in the past four games between Nottingham Forest and Brighton in Nottingham. Forest have won three of those games with Brighton winning one. Nottingham Forest won this game 7-0 last season. Nottingham Forest have won neither of the two games played on a Sunday between these sides (D1 L1). Nottingham Forest are W2 L1 on a Sunday at home this season while Brighton are D2 L1 away. Forest are D1 L2 v current top six sides while Brighton are W1 D2 v bottom six sides.
Verdict: Is the middle child of the 2pm kick offs on Sunday.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 2 Brighton 0
SUN 4:30PM – CHELSEA v ARSENAL
Stats: Arsenal are undefeated in seven league games v Chelsea (W5 D2). Arsenal (W3 D3) are undefeated in their last six league games at Chelsea, with the last two games ended up a draw. Arsenal are W2 D1 L1 v big six clubs this season, while Chelsea are W2 L1. One of those wins for Chelsea was the only home game v big six clubs this season. Arsenal are 4/4 v London clubs, Chelsea are W3 D2. Brighton and Bournemouth are the only other sides to be unbeaten v London clubs.
Verdict: First v second to end the GW, with midweek games ahead.
Prediction: Chelsea 0 Arsenal 1
2025-26 Premier League Predictions Week 13
Brentford 2 Burnley 0 Man City 3 Leeds 0 Sunderland 1 Bournemouth 1 Everton 1 Newcastle 1 Spurs 0 Fulham 0 Crystal Palace 2 Man Utd 2 Aston Villa 3 Wolves 1 West Ham 2 Liverpool 2 Nottingham Forest 2 Brighton 0 Chelsea 0 Arsenal 1
Season Progress
RATING: Going better than Wolves, and at least we got the Draw of the Week.
Concerned about a piece of wood? Been asked to lift around certain corners? Still working out where Christian Horner will land next? We aren’t. Wondering how much Lewis Hamilton regrets going to Ferrari? Then let our 2025 Qatar F1 Grand Prix Prix-View answer some of those big questions and more that you didn’t ask for.
The Gurgler’s 2025 Qatar F1 Grand Prix Prix-View brings some thoughts on what the race weekend ahead might bring, and we throw in more than a few barely interesting stats.
Essentially a quick summary of what a casual F1 fan needs in the shortest possible time for your convenience.
And for F1 opinion, stand by for the F1 Donkey’s Bold Predictions and Opinion where no one and nothing is safe. And like the cars around him on the grid, Lance Stroll.
2025 Qatar F1 Grand Prix Prix-view – Race Potential Rating
By Will Pittenger – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4492711
The Gurgler does like to use some obscure drivers in our Race previews and report, so who better to use than Teo Fabi to determine a race rating system.
So before each race we give a rating out of ten for four key category that are loosely based on each letter of Teo Fabi’s surname. Don’t know who Teo Fabi is, you should.
FAST? 5 / 10 – It’s fast enough in a modern way, and looks like the most like a child’s attempt at drawing a Grand Prix circuit more than any other on the calendar.
ACTION? 4 / 10 – Not a classic for action, but it has it’s moments, and running at night makes it look quite spectacular. Especially with the sparks flying at night. But be careful not to run the car too close to the ground……
BIG HISTORY? – 2 / 10 – It’s the fourth ever race, and one of those was a Covid bonus.
INCLEMENT WEATHER? – 2 /10 – The Weather Channel says as much rain as you’d expect in Qatar. It might be hotter than F1 folk like, and they are making them stop twice because of that.
RACE POTENTIAL RATING 33% – In isolation it’s not a GP many look forward to, but the Championship showdown aspect makes it more interesting than usual. Plus F2 returns for extra action.
Qatar Grand Prix – DRIVER PREVIEW RATINGS
The stats boffins at The Gurgler have compiled a whole bunch of stats from this season, and recent seasons at this weekend’s venue, added a multiplier for recent results and come up with a score out of 100% which equates to each driver’s chances of doing well this weekend. Just to make finding a winner for a race more complicated than it needs to be.
Here are The Gurgler Driver Preview Ratings for this weekend.
2025 Qatar F1 Grand Prix Prix-view – Stats Summary
Want to know if your favourite driver for this weekend is a master of the track or the track is a master of them? Here then are some barely interesting facts and stats.
Driver Stats – Qatar Grand Prix
Driver Qualifying Stats – Arabian Peninsular Races from 2023
Given there’s only been three Qatar Grands Prix so far, how about some combined stats from the Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi GPs since 2023.
Driver Stats – Sprint Races 2025
With the Qatar Sprint Race having so much Championship importance, why not show the qualifying and race stats from the other five Sprint Races in 2025.
Team Stats – QatarGrand Prix
History Stats – Qatar Grand Prix
99 = a DNF. Grid position 20 is overstated as that was also used for cars starting in pitlane. Results from all races for long term history and from 2021 from Grid to Race positions. stated.
Season 2025 Team Trends
Here’s a quick look at what’s been happening over the season and in recent races.
History Stats – Arabian Peninsular Races to 2024
How about some history stats from all the Arabian races up to last season.
F1 2025 Season Stuff
We’ve worked hard getting ready for the 2025 F1 Season, and this is our best work below.
Here are The Gurgler’s 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix Ratings – our way of rating the performances on the track without causing any red flags or running into our nearest website.
Our G-Power Rankings goes a little bit deeper than just points scored on the Sunday and has a slightly cooler name than most. We take on board Free Practice, Qualifying, performance in relation to teammate, fastest lap, and a few more stats that are attempting to highlight a driver outperforming the car and/or thrashing their teammate.
We offer up a season long bunch of stats, enough to distract you until the next Grand Prix comes along, and enough to tell the story of the 2025 F1 season so far.
2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix Race Result Summary
2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix Ratings – Drivers
Here are the current overall standings for our Driver of the Year winner – the Martini Medal. Named in honour of one of F1’s most unsung heroes – Pierluigi Martini of Minardi fame.
We have the overall scores as they stand, plus a visual which shows the flow of each driver’s position throughout the season, plus a few points of interest below.
Here is the breakdown of the Driver of the Year points from the most recent race and the season so far. Remembering our ratings go across a whole weekend, so the race winner who may not have had a great qualifying or sprint race may not come out on top.
LATEST RACE RATINGS & DRIVER OF THE YEAR UPDATE
2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix Ratings – Teams
This is essentially using the same drivers stats but in reverse for the worst score, but taking out anything that is a H2H between the drivers.
And our annual award focuses on the other end of the grid, highlighting the worst team of the season.
Of course, the worst team of the season award needs to be named after the worst F1 team of all time. And if you want to fund out more about Andrea Moda, follow this link.
LATEST RACE & SEASON RATINGS
Alpine have nearly sealed the Andrea Moda Medal for 2025.
Here is the best of the stats from the 2025 F1 season so far. Which we admit isn’t much, but stay tuned throughout the year for more.
H2H
Here is the ultimate H2H comparison, with the overall qualifying and race measures, plus one that calculates all official sessions across the weekend.
QUALIFYING – DRIVERS
With qualifying becoming all important, here are some key stats from the season that is.
QUALIFYING – TEAM
And some Teams trends too.
FASTEST LAP
It may be a token win, so here is a token bunch of stats.
1ST LAP PROGRESS
The movers and shakers of 2025 F1 Season.
FREE PRACTICE
Some say Free Practice is a giant waste of time, and they are probably right. Regardless here is the average position for each drivers in Free Practice this season. Each round an average of all the sessions.
OTHER STATS
A few bits and pieces too good not to share.
2025 F1 Season Power Rankings – Points Explanation
Here’s how the points work this season. Essentially the perfect race (Win from Pole, Fastest Lap, thrash team mate, best in race etc) should amount to the perfect 100 points.
FIRST LAP GAINS +0.5pts per position gained -0.5pts per position lost.
CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS – 25pts to 1pt as per World Championship – Sprint Race Points added.
BEAT TEAM MATE (RACE) – 10pts (if both finish or other driver got self inflicted DNF)
FASTEST LAP – 5pts – 1pt for top five drivers.
GRID POSITION TO RACE POSITION – formula +/- relative finish to grid
BEST OF THE REST (RACE) – 5pts to 1pt – top five non Mercedes-Red Bull drivers
QUALIFYING – 20pts to 1pt – Grid Position 1 to 20.
BEAT TEAM MATE (QUALIFYING) – 5pts
BEST OF THE REST (QUALIFYING) – 5pts to 1pt – top five non Mercedes-Red Bull drivers
GREAT/GRAPE – 5pts Great 2pts Honourable Mention -2Pts Dishonourable Mention -5Pts Grape
BEAT TEAM MATE (QUALIFYING) Time Gap – Formula for % beaten team mate by
BEAT TEAM MATE (QUALIFYING) Position – 0.5 Pts for every position team mate is beaten by. 0 points for second car.
FREE PRACTICE HERO – 10Pts to 1Pt – Average Position across all three practice sessions.
WIN FROM POLE – Bonus 5 Points
WIN FROM POLE WITH FASTEST LAP – Bonus 10 Points
DNF Not Driver or Team Fault Minus 2 Points
DNF CAUSED BY DRIVER/TEAM INCOMPETENCE Minus 5 Points
SPRINT RACE POINTS – Points 8 to 1 as handed out in the sprint race.
SPRINT RACE CHANGE – 0.5 Points per change in end position to starting position.
SPRINT RACE QUAL – Points 8 to 1 as handed out in the order of qualifying 1st to 8th.
The Championship is on after Max Verstappen wins the Las Vegas Grand Prix, then McLaren are sensationally disqualified post-race. Talking of disqualified, our 2025 Las Vegas F1 Grand Prix Result Summary will illegally fuel your F1 interest and have way too much plank wear.
This 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix Result, Laps that Matter summary, Review & Ratings gives you just enough to catch up with. With just a hint of cynicism, bias, opinion and colour. The perfect bite sized review for those who couldn’t be bothered, or don’t have enough time.
Didn’t see the race live? Don’t have time to watch the whole race? Here’s where we capture the laps where stuff happened. We write these live as we go, sort of like a minute by minute for the football, but marginally more interesting.
NOTE: The Summary was written live and revised few hours later after news of McLaren’s disqualification.
Setting the scene – A cold, wet and dark qualifying made it more like Ice Skating than Formula One, but no matter the conditions and track and anything lately, Lando Norris was too good and took pole position. The driver next most likely ended up just that with Max Verstappen second on the grid and needing a decent result against Norris to stay in the Championship hunt. Oscar Piastri was unlucky with a late yellow flag and qualified 5th, but in fairness never really looked like trumping Norris. Carlos Sainz survived a stewards enquiry about rejoining after a spin to claim a huge third spot on the grid. Further back, big news, although less big these days, Lewis Hamilton qualified last. Lance Stroll could have been higher, and was surprisingly quick in the difficult conditions but risked taking the Intermediate Wet tyre too early in Q2.
Race night is dry and cold, and one Championship rival could be eliminated at the end of the race.
GRID (Starting Order) – NOR VER SAI RUS PIA LAW HAD ALO LEC GAS
Lap 1 – Pole sitter Lando Norris gets away ok but runs wide into the first corner and Max Verstappen needs no further invitation to take the lead and he nearly clashes with Verstappen on the way through, that was close. Before the next set of corners George Russell squeezes by for second. Double trouble for McLaren as Oscar Piastri falls behind both Racing Bulls and looks like he might have some front wing damage. Fernando Alonso has a shocker too dropping a few places. Oliver Bearman does a great job to be up to 8th. Not as good as Lewis Hamilton who is 12th after the first lap from the back of the grid.
ORDER – VER RUS NOR SAI HAD LAW PIA BEA LEC ALO
SAFETY CAR DEPLOYED
RACE RESUMES
Lap 2 – Unbelievably, there are multiple track workers on the track as the cars approach and come through turn one. They are likely there to clean up Gabriel Bortoleto’s very ordinary effort at the first corner, as he outbrakes himself and cleans up Lance Stroll. A second poor race from the rookie who has been impressive overall. Liam Lawson is also slowing with front wing damage, dragging along the ground. That damage looks to have been caused by Lawson getting caught out by George Russell braking ahead, looks like Lawson banged into Piastri, similarly looking very much like the one Piastri got penalised for last race in Brazil Interesting to see how that plays out.
VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR DEPLOYED
RACE RESUMES
Lap 4 – The cars hit full speed again as the stewards advise the Lawson-Piastri incident is under investigation. Bortoleto and Stroll are out after first lap clash.
Lap 5 – Max Verstappen is just under a second in front of George Russell who is closing in on the Red Bull. Lando Norris is playing it safe two second back. Carlos Sainz is being harassed by Isack Hadjar, and Oscar Piastri is nearly two seconds behind the Racing Bull car, and looking as underwhelming as all the recent underwhelming races. Oliver Bearman and Charles Leclerc have fun swapping 7th place.
ORDER – VER RUS NOR SAI HAD PIA LEC BEA ALO HUL
Lap 8 – No further action from the Stewards for the Lawson-Piastri incident. Wonder what Oscar thinks of that after the last race. He probably thinks it stinks. And it does a bit. He’s still sixth and still not catching Hadjar in 5th.
Lap 10 – The battle up front has cooled down with George Russell now 1.6 second behind rather than a DRS enabling <1 second. Lando Norris is taking it easy for now 2.6 seconds behind Russell. Hadjar to Leclerc are starting to close up behind Carlos Sainz in 4th. Stewards announce an investigation a starting procedure infringement for Alex Albon and Kimi Antonelli.
Lap 12 – Oscar Piastri has woken up and it closing in on Isack Hadjar’s tail, but he won’t want to take too long, he’s six second behind Norris and Charles Leclerc is looking rather racey behind him. When we say racey, we mean Leclerc overtaking Piastri before the end of lap 12. The Ferrari showing every sign of not waiting too long to steal HAdjar’s place too.
Lap 13 – Charles Leclerc doesn’t take long at all. He’s by Isack Hadjar the very next lap and up to 5th. He started 9th on the grid. Sainz is 2.5 seconds up the road. The other fast-starting Ferrari Lewis Hamilton is still 12th, but looks like he clashes with Alex Albon behind him. Albon pits for tyres and a front wing and drops to the back.
Lap 15 – Kimi Antonelli has been penalised five seconds for moving before the start. Maybe he should have qualified higher to get a better view of the lights.
ORDER – VER RUS NOR SAI LEC HAD PIA BEA ALO HUL
Lap 16 – The remnants of Alex Albon and Lewis Hamilton’s clash brings out a Virtual Safety Car.
VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR DEPLOYED AND RACE RESUMES
And just in time for Oscar Piastri to catch out Isack Hadjar and steal his 7th place.
Lap 18 – George Russell pits for tyres from second place, and rejoins just in front of Nico Hulkenberg, who has just passed Oliver Bearman for 8th, with the Haas deciding that was enough of an insult to pit for new tyres. The clean air has seen Lando Norris find some pace, and he’s gunning for Russell’s second place in the meantime. Norris sets a fastest lap to prove the pace.
Lap 21 – Confirmation of a five second penalty for Alex Albon for causing a collision with Lewis Hamilton. He’s already 30 seconds last. And also gets a reprimand for starting procedure too. Could be worse, that could have been another penalty.
Lap 22 – Charles Leclerc is right on Carlos Sainz’s tail and given the Ferrari’s form, it won’t take long. Max Verstappen sets fastest lap in front, maybe to remind people he’s still winning. Oscar Piastri pits for new tyres and rejoins 10th behind the penalised Kimi Antonelli. A lot of little stuff happening on this lap.
Lap 23 – More stuff happening. Lando Norris pits for new tyres and rejoins behind George Russell. Carlos Sainz pits for new tyres and rejoins just in front of Oscar Piastri, but the McLaren is close enough to challenge into turn three and the McLaren does get past the Williams for 9th on track. There’s still four midfield cars ahead yet to stop. And Fernando Alonso does some old school overtaking on his way through the midfield.
Lap 25 – Charles Leclerc pits for new tyres, but he rejoins in front of Carlos Sainz but behind Oscar Piastri. So the recent laps have worked out nicely for the Australian. A phrase that has not been used too much in recent races.
Lap 26 – Max Verstappen pits and rejoins in the lead still. But there’s only a gap of 1.4 seconds and Russell has warmer tyres. Could be interesting, they don’t like each other.
ORDER – VER RUS NOR HUL HAM ANT OCO PIA LEC SAI
Lap 29 – Things have calmed down a bit since the pitstops for front runners completed. Max Verstappen is almost 2.5 seconds ahead of George Russell now, with Lando Norris about the same behind Russell. By the way, Lewis Hamilton pits, leaving Nico Hulkenberg as the no-pitter in the top ten. The Ferrari rejoins 10th, which is a decent result.
Lap 32 – Midfield battle alert as Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso are racing, as is Oliver Bearman, who passes Fernando Alonso for 12th, and even Esteban Ocon is threatening to join the fun. He’s behind Bearman, which seems to be the norm of late. Meanwhile further in front Lando Norris sets a couple of fastest laps in a row and is reeling in George Russell.
Lap 34 – That Norris speed has continued and he eases past George Russell before the end of lap 34 in a nice, clean move. He’s up to second but five seconds behind Max Verstappen. Wonder if he’ll settle for second or go for the win. Stay tuned.
ORDER – VER NOR RUS ANT PIA LEC SAI HAD HUL HAM
Lap 37 – Oscar Piastri closes in on Kimi Antonelli for 4th place, and he should, his tyres are much, much newer than Antonelli. The Mercedes pit on lap four for tyres. And one could argue the car is better too. Max Verstappen sets a fastest lap in defiance of Norris’ new found pace.
Lap 39 – Oscar Piastri tries a move on Antonelli into the chicane corners towards the end of the lap, doesn’t make it, oversteers on exit and nearly puts his car into the wall. This helps Charles Leclerc close in on the McLaren, and that certainly went in Leclerc’s favour in the first stint. The three cars are following closely now.
Lap 40 – Another fastest lap for Max Verstappen, as another lap passes for Oscar Piastri behind Kimi Antonelli, but still in front of Charles Leclerc.
Lap 41 – Lando Norris sets a fastest lap to show people he’s still quick. But being just over five seconds, he might have to settle for second. Which he’d be mad not to do.
Lap 45 – Status quo at the front as Max Verstappen has Lando Norris covered who equally has Russell under control. Kimi Antonelli is still holding off Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc, with the only way Piastri looking like getting in front is waiting for the five second penalty for Antonelli to kick in.
ORDER – VER NOR RUS ANT PIA LEC SAI HAD HUL HAM
Lap 48 – Three laps to go and it all looks pretty much settled. So applying the five second penalty for Antonelli will see him drop from 4th to 7th. Not too bad. But all of a sudden Lando Norris is losing heaps of time to Max Verstappen and George Russell is gaining massively. More than a second a lap. Several. Over three seconds in fact.
FINAL LAP – Lando Norris’ pace continues to fall off a cliff as George Russell closes in quick. But quicker is Max Verstappen who cruises around the last lap to claim victory in the Las Vegas Grand Prix. He crosses the line over 20 seconds in front of Lando Norris. Russell gets within three seconds of Lando Norris but settles for third. Kimi Antonelli’s amazing race on almost the same set of tyres sees him lose only 4th place of Oscar Piastri after the five second penalty is applied after he crosses the line. Damage limitation done enough for Piastri, but another ordinary weekend.
FINAL ORDER (Across the line) – VER NOR RUS PIA ANT LEC SAI HAD HUL HAM
FINAL ORDER (After McLaren disqualification) – VER RUS ANT LEC SAI HAD HUL HAM OCO BEA
Here we go through the field and highlight the very best (Great) of the race, and the plodders, the over-ambitious, the out of luck, and simply hopeless (Grape).
These points get added to our Driver of the Season scores. 5 points for a great nomination, and -5 for the worst or grapest driver in the pack. Then it is +2 /-2 for honourable or dishonourable mentions.
THE GREAT-EST – MAX VERSTAPPEN
Gifted the lead art the first corner after Lando Norris ran wide, then gifted again when George Russell provided a buffer to Lando in the early laps. Did what he does well in the lead of any Grand Prix. Kept his Championship hopes alive and then had that blown wide open following McLaren’s disqualification.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
CARLOS SAINZ – Doesn’t hurt to remind everyone that you’re quick, and Sainz’s third on the grid will do that nicely. Lost a little bit of pace in the race, but was clearly the next best outside the top four team for pace.
LANDO NORRIS – If your worst weekend in a few races is pole position and second place but still ahead of your closest Championship rival, then you can very well dust your hands for a job well done.
CHARLES LECLERC – May have had an ordinary qualifying, and practice when his car broke down, but his race was quite eventful, in a good way, with some nice racing and overtaking, showing Ferrari aren’t always hopeless, or as bad as the big boss of Ferrari thinks.
ISACK HADJAR – If he doesn’t want the Red Bull seat, who could blame him. But he’s doing a terrible job of talking them out of it with another solid weekend.
NICO HULKENBERG – More points for the likeable German.
KIMI ANTONELLI – Early stop saw him drive a long stint on hard tyres. Held fourth for a long time in the second half of the race. Penalised for jumping start which he thought was unfair. Underwhelmed in qualifying, so lucky to get an honourable mention. End result is a podium after McLaren were disqualified. Job done.
THE GRAPE-EST – MCLAREN
F1 is a matter of milliseconds, and sometimes millimetres and it is the latter that has done the job on McLaren this weekend. Disqualified for excessive plank wear, which is hard to argue and overturn. They lose second and fourth place and bring Max Verstappen back into the drivers title calculations.
DISHONOURABLE MENTIONS
OSCAR PIASTRI – The problem when you qualify lower than you should is it’s easier to find trouble, and trouble Piastri found at the first corner as he clashed with Liam Lawson. Recovered ok, but still lost more point to his Championship leading team mate ahead.
LIAM LAWSON – A great qualifying sees him line up 6th for the race, making it an all Southern Hemisphere row three on the grid. Sadly he runs into Oscar Piastri at the first corner, breaking his front and sending him to the back of the field, wasting a golden chance to get some Red Bull career-saving points.
GABRIEL BORTOLETO – Another ordinary race, and his woeful effort running into Lance Stroll at the first corner shows regression in a season where he has been mostly impressive.
LANCE STROLL – First corner incident not his fault. Should have qualified higher but his team put him on the wrong tyres in Q2 of qualifying. Which is a shame, for him, as he looked quick in the wetter parts of qualifying.
ALEX ALBON – Qualified poorly by crashing, while his team mate shone in third. Clashed with Lewis Hamilton in the race, earning a five second penalty. He was last anyway fixing his car. Retired from the race, but not before another reprimand for a starting procedure.
Was it a good race, loads of action, a tense ending, a surprise result or DNF, or just a big, fat, snooze-fest?
We rate the big race itself, so we know which races to go back and watch in the off season or one to simply remember the winner for the post season quiz nights.
PRE RACE ACTION (FP, QUAL, SPRINT, OFF TRACK etc) – 5 / 5
The wet, nighttime qualifying made that as treacherous a session as we’ve seen in years. The cold factor was already going to make it hard enough. That and the dazzling lights of this unique track also makes it exciting, even when it is not. Gets the full 5/5 for Mickey Mouse conducting the light show at the end of the race. Solid stuff.
ON TRACK ACTION (RACE) – 7 / 10
Enough action throughout, certainly a lot on the first lap, almost too much to stay in touch. From a first lap battle for the lead, to cars in the midfield scrapping for honour, if not points.
ANY SURPRISES? – 5 / 5
Rated lower before the McLaren disqualification, which comes a huge surprise.
SEASON IMPORTANCE – 5 / 5
The McLaren disqualification brings Max Verstappen back into the Driver’s title hunt. Prior to that, Lando Norris had edged himself closer to glory with a pole position and second place. Well ahead of his team mate, on track and up in the head.
ENDING – 4 / 5
What looked a run-of-the-mill dull-ish ending turned into a bit of excitement as Lando Norris suddenly, and rapidly lost pace. Not quite enough to lose second, but enough to entertain.
OVERALL RATING – 26 / 30
A good race, with enough action, and the wet qualifying was a nice treat, even if it didn’t really affect the finishing order of the race. The post race disqualification of McLaren open ed up the Championship too. For Max Verstappen. Not Oscar Piastri. He’s done.
Faster than an Alpine, with more team rules than any type of fruit, a tenth as excited about Lando Norris than Sky F1, and with more hope of getting out of Q1 than certain drivers, and ready with more Elvis based puns than a B Grade sitcom in Las Vegas, it’s the F1 Donkey with his unique view on F1 and more. Before each race The F1 Donkey puts the ass in sass and unloads his alternative, slightly unhinged thoughts on F1 including this week’s Bold 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix Predictions and opinion.
The F1 Donkey’s Pre Las Vegas Grand Prix Thoughts
Well it looks like Oscar Piastri’s Championship chances have officially left the building, and it will take more than an Elvis jumpsuit to bring them back inside. Although maybe Oscar should wear one or at least add some Rhinsetones to his McLaren suit. He needs some cheering up or a little colour. Like Elvis, one conspiracy theory about Oscar Piastri’s downfall is burger related, with an Australian chain apologising for cursing the Australian Championship hopeful. So they should. For the curse and the appallingly self-centred reply. Their burgers aren’t that. I haven’t seen a line of Taragos in their drive through ever.
People with Suspicious Minds will point the finger. middle or other, at McLaren and their perceived favoritism of Lando Norris. While they insist that’s laughable, the cynics disagree. Of course I am in that pile. Whilst none of the crimes are worth a Jailhouse Rock, the 50-50 calls have all gone the way of Sky F1, I mean Lando Norris.
Perhaps the Devil in Disguise in all this is Mark Webber. Not that he would intentionally harm his client and compatriot’s World Championship claims, but the man is so bloody unlucky that he brings a special kind of anti-winning karma to Piastri when he needed it least. Webber of course being the only F1 driver in history to DNF due an underground train. Webber can make it up to him as manager by stealing Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari seat before Oliver Bearman gets it.
Imagine if we had Bearman, Norris and Russell, three Brits in winning cars battling for the Championship. Australian fans would need another red button for commentary in German to avoid the mess. Kayo in Australia offering fans alternative commentary because Sky F1 has become so biased. A Little Less Conversation I guess you could say. And will say.
I guess the Championship could be All Shook Up if Max Verstappen pulls off one of his great weekend that he has had up his sleeve for the second half of the season.
The Hound Dog to Max Verstappen will be George Russell, who goes quite well at Las Vegas, won in a similar event at Singapore earlier in the season and doesn’t appear to like Max Verstappen very much, so you can imagine he’d be please to dent or destroy his World Championship charge. Probably prefers a Brit to win it instead, which is fair enough. Although, not sure if Norris would prefer Russell to win a Championship over himself. Fair enough too.
Further back, In the Ghetto, aka Ferrari, it will be interesting to see how many fingers their drivers stick up towards the big boss of Ferrari. Who came out and blamed his drivers for an underwhelming 2025, further proof that most big CEOs really are know-nothing muppets. Although, if he had of singled out Lewis Hamilton on a $ per performance measurement he may have had some claim to truth.
And I guess I could finish up the Elvis pun heavy preview by requesting a Return to Sender for a few of the F1 drivers for next season. Although, given one of them has their father as the owner, that would mean returning them back to the F1 team, which is the opposite of what I, and so many others want. And need.
The NRL Donkey’s Bold 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix Predictions
And here they are, in a convenient team by team format, so you can ignore them all at your convenience or peril. Depending on the outcome of our prediction.
McLAREN
McLarens haven’t been especially strong in LAs Vegas, and most of the non British and Sky F1 Commentary team will be hoping they aren’t as dominant to give the Championship battle another round or so. As for Oscar Piastri, if he didn’t do well on low grip tracks, then pretty sure he won’t enjoy freezing cold Las Vegas track.
RED BULL
Max will probably win from pole. Yuki Tsunoda might be seen in the post-race celebration photos.
MERCEDES
May well give Red Bull some challenge. Kimi Antonelli had a great Brazilian GP weekend, and has done well on US street tracks. George Russell is due to bounce back and annoy Max like he did in Singapore.
FERRARI
Drivers will be blamed for underperformance, despite whatever circumstances that lead to their underwhelming efforts.
WILLIAMS
New livery will be the most interesting things they do all weekend.
ALPINE
Pierre Gasly is due to pull something special out, similar to last year, with some green shoots in Brazil too. And also similar to last season in Las Vegas, Colapinto will crash into a wall.
RACING BULLS
Isack Hadjar doing just enough to get the Red Bull drive for next season.
ASTON MARTIN
No way Lance Stroll gets out of Q1. Alonso might struggle too.
HAAS
Oliver Bearman to put the final 2025 season nail in the coffin of Esteban Ocon H2H with Q3 and points.
SAUBER
Gabriel Bortoleto to have a better weekend than his home race last round.
The NRL Donkey’s 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix Stats
Our stats team told me I should include some graphs to go with the poisonous viewpoint. So here then are some form stats for qualifying and the race.
LAS VEGAS STATS
SEASONS STATS
F1 2025 Season Stuff
We’ve worked hard getting ready for the 2025 F1 Season, and this is our best work below.
They say there can only be winners and losers in sport, but of course they’re wrong and they’re fools, there’s always another results, a special one for learned sporting fans – the draw. And who doesn’t love a draw where everyone wins. Those winners include canny punters who look for value, and The Gurgler website is always happy to help with opinion and stats, so welcome to our Football Draws Predictions – 21 November to 25 November
Our resident draw expert Frankington Stanley runs his keen eye over the many football divisions around the world to find the best draws for you. He’s sort of like the John West of Football draws, he hates Dog Salmon and lop sided fixtures.
Frankington Stanley is not fussy, no country or continent is out of bounds, and the more obscure the better. And some of them are quite obscure. They don’t even feature on the Who Scored website.
So grab an oversized spoon for another weekly serving of the finest Football Draw tips from all over the world, where The Gurgler and Frankington Stanley take the stale out of stalemate.
Football Draws Predictions – Best of the Week
Premier League – 2025/2026 – Bournemouth-West Ham
Kick off:15:00 – Sat, 22-Nov-25
The last three games between these sides on a Saturday have ended in a draw. The last four games between these sides on any day have ended in a draw. Six of the ten games played between these sides at Bournemouth have ended in a draw.
Football Draws Predictions – Best of the Rest
Premier League – 2025/2026 – Fulham-Sunderland
Kick off:15:00 – Sat, 22-Nov-25
Seven of the last 12 Saturday games between Fulham and Sunderland have ended in a draw, with three of the last four Saturday games at Fulham also ending in a draw.
Serie A – 2025/2026 – Cagliari-Genoa
Kick off:14:00 – Sat, 22-Nov-25
Betting odds say a draw – $2.75 each team and $3.00 for the draw. Classic draw odds. And there’s a reason why, four of the last six games between these sides have ended in a draw. And both sides drew last game. And each team has won only once at home and away respectively, so will probably settle for a draw.
Serie A – 2025/2026 – Torino-Como
Kick off:17:30 – Mon, 24-Nov-25
These teams have 11 draws between them this season in 22 total games. So a solid 50% chance of a draw. Como come into this game on a run of two straight draws and Torino better that by one. It’s three in a row away for Como too.
Ligue 1 – 2025/2026 – Toulouse-Angers
Kick off:16:15 – Sun, 23-Nov-25
Two of the last six between these teams have ended in a draw. Even better Toulouse have drawn their last two at home and three of their last four. Angers have yet to win away from home, so a draw will slightly improve their D2 L4 start to the season away from home.
Championship – 2025/2026 – Charlton-Southampton
Kick off:12:30 – Sat, 22-Nov-25
The last five games between these sides at Charlton have ended in a draw. Five.
Worth slightly less than a transfer window, more annoying than an international break, with longer hair than some Man Utd supporters, playing in a formation that was unfashionable and illegal 60 years ago, and somehow getting the full support of the Chairman, it’s our 2025-26 Premier League Predictions Week 12.
Each gameweek in this 2025-26 Premier League season we offer up a stat filled prediction preview, with some barely interesting stats and visuals, just enough to bluff your way through various tipping competitions or betting shops.
We also attempted to guess the final Premier League ladder in advance. Follow the link to that here.
Barely Interesting Stats – 2025-26 Premier League Predictions Week 12 – Stats and Thoughts
Help yourself to a buffet of barely interesting stats, quick one liners and more to help pick a winner.
BEST OF WEEK 12 STATS
Chelsea have scored four goals in four of their last five trips to Burnley, with the other game seeing three Chelsea goals.
West Ham have never beaten Bournemouth on a Saturday (D5 L4).
Leeds have never lost to Aston Villa at home on a Sunday in the six games. The only problem is they have only won once.
The overall record for Arsenal at home to Spurs in the League since 1992 is W19 D12 L2.
SAT 12:30PM – BURNLEY v CHELSEA
Chelsea are undefeated in their last 11 games v Burnley (W8 D3). At Burnley it is nine games unbeaten for Chelsea, winning the last six. Chelsea have scored four goals in four of their last five trips to Burnley, with the other game seeing three Chelsea goals. Chelsea are four wins from four v the current bottom six team, while Burnley are W1 L4 v the current top six teams.
Verdict: Looks like a pretty one sided way to restart the Premier League.
Prediction: Burnley 0 Chelsea 4
SAT 3PM – FULHAM v SUNDERLAND
Seven of the last 12 Saturday games between Fulham and Sunderland have ended in a draw, with three of the last four Saturday games at Fulham also ending in a draw. Fulham have lost all three games against the current top six sides. But Fulham are 1/1 v promoted sides. Sunderland (W3 D2) are one of five teams left that are yet to lose to a London team this season.
Verdict: More heroics from Sunderland this weekend? Even as a bitter Ipswich fan who wished his team could have been half as good as Sunderland have been, I hope so.
Prediction: Fulham 1 Sunderland 2
SAT 3PM – BOURNEMOUTH v WEST HAM
West Ham have never beaten Bournemouth on a Saturday (D5 L4). The last three games between these sides on a Saturday have ended in a draw. The last four games between these sides on any day have ended in a draw. Six of the ten games played between these sides at Bournemouth have ended in a draw. Bournemouth’s 2.6 average points at home is the equal best in the Premier League with Arsenal. Bournemouth are W3 D1 v current bottom six teams.
Verdict: Anyone for a draw? West Ham might settle for one.
Prediction: Bournemouth 1 West Ham 1
SAT 3PM – LIVERPOOL v NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Nottingham Forest were unbeaten v Liverpool last season (W1 D1). Liverpool are at least 1/1 v current bottom six sides. Nottingham Forest are D1 L2 v big six clubs. Liverpool are averaging the most shots per game this season while Nottingham Forest are averaging the fourth most shots against per game. Both teams are in the top five for expected goals against.
Verdict: Things are getting so bad in Liverpool that their game is on a Saturday at 3pm. It will be full crisis time in Liverpool if they lose this one.
Prediction: Liverpool 2 Nottingham Forest 1
SAT 3PM – BRIGHTON v BRENTFORD
Brighton are unbeaten in four games at home to Brentford (W2 D2). But that turns to four winless at home on a Saturday (D2 L2). Five of the last eight games between these sides at Brighton have ended in a draw. Brentford have lost all four away games v middle eight teams (at time of fixture not current) this season. Brentford and Brighton almost have an identical for and against this season.
Verdict: Two teams with almost identical season record can only end in a draw.
Prediction: Brighton 1 Brentford 1
SAT 3PM – WOLVES v CRYSTAL PALACE
The next worst team in the top four divisions is Sheffield Wednesday who have one win and five draws this season, but also had one of the worst Football Club owners in recent UK history. Crystal Palace (W7 D1 L1) have lost just one of their last nine games v Wolves. The results are better for Wolves at home though, with the six games there since 2020 ending in a W3 D1 L2 record for Wolves. Although it is D2 L3 on a Saturday at home to Crystal Palace. Wolves are averaging more goals per game at home this season than Spurs.
Verdict: Poor Wolves. Although Derby County fans are starting to get excited.
Prediction: Wolves 0 Crystal Palace 2
SAT 5:30PM – NEWCASTLE v MANCHESTER CITY
Man City are unbeaten in their last 12 league games v Newcastle. Silver lining for Newcastle is that it is at least W3 D3 at home in the last six at St James’ Park. Newcastle’s W3 L2 home record this season is marginally better than Man City’s away record of W2 D1 L2. Newcastle are two losses from two games v big six clubs this season. And for no good reason, prior to Man City’s takeover in 2008, Newcastle had won 71% of their home games v Man City on a Saturday.
Verdict: It’s about now where Man City usually win a million in a row and win the comp.
Prediction: Newcastle 0 Man City 2
SUN 2PM – LEEDS v ASTON VILLA
Aston Villa are W1 D1 v promoted clubs this season. Aston Villa are undefeated in their last five trips to Leeds (W2 D3). Going back 15 games at Leeds, Aston Villa have lost just twice with eight draws. On a Sunday, Leeds are unbeaten in the last six games with two wins and four draws. Even better news for Leeds fans, they have never lost to Aston Villa at home on a Sunday. The only problem is they have only won once.
Verdict: Another draw coming up, in a week that looks choc full of them.
Prediction: Leeds 1 Aston Villa 1
SUN 4:30PM – ARSENAL v TOTTENHAM
Arsenal are unbeaten in the last six league games v Arsenal (W5 D1). It’s six unbeaten in the last six home games too (W4 D2). Going deeper, Spurs’ record at Arsenal is terrible. In 33 League matches in the Premier League era, Spurs have won at Arsenal twice. The overall record for Arsenal at home to Spurs in the League since 1992 is W19 D12 L2. Worse still, Spurs have never beaten Arsenal at Arsenal on a Sunday (D4 L9). But at least Spurs and Arsenal have the same record v big six sides this season – W1 D1 L1.
Verdict: The big London derby where Arsenal fans will be cockier than ever, forgive the Spurs based pun.
Prediction: Arsenal 1 Spurs 1
MON 8PM – MANCHESTER UNITED v EVERTON
Man Utd are unbeaten in their last six v Everton – W5 D1. Man Utd’s recent record v Everton at home is even better with 11 games unbeaten – W7 D4. The last three Monday games between these sides have ended with a win each and a draw. Everton have lost all three games this season v big six clubs.
Verdict: If it wasn’t Man Utd playing, most will probably forget this game is on.
Prediction: Man Utd 3 Everton 1
2025-26 Premier League Predictions Week 12
Burnley 0 Chelsea 4
Fulham 1 Sunderland 2
Bournemouth 1 West Ham 1
Liverpool 2 Nottingham Forest 1 Brighton 1 Brentford 1
Wolves 0 Crystal Palace 2
Newcastle 0 Man City 2 Leeds 1 Aston Villa 1
Arsenal 1 Spurs 1
Man Utd 3 Everton 1
Season Progress
RATING: A few wins on the bounce and heading for mid-table security.
Confused by whose fault all overtaking crashes are? Can’t understand how Oscar Piastri has forgotten how to drive? Still working out why a certain driver is in F1? Still wondering Lance Stroll bothers? Then let our 2025 Las Vegas F1 Grand Prix Prix-View answer some of those questions and more that you didn’t ask for.
The Gurgler’s 2025 Las Vegas F1 Grand Prix Prix-View brings some thoughts on what the race weekend ahead might bring, and we throw in more than a few barely interesting stats.
Essentially a quick summary of what a casual F1 fan needs in the shortest possible time for your convenience.
And for F1 opinion, stand by for the F1 Donkey’s Bold Predictions and Opinion where no one and nothing is safe. And like the cars around him on the grid, Lance Stroll.
2025 Las Vegas F1 Grand Prix Prix-view – Race Potential Rating
By Hmdwgf – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=125791239
The Gurgler does like to use some obscure drivers in our Race previews and report, so who better to use than Teo Fabi to determine a race rating system.
So before each race we give a rating out of ten for four key category that are loosely based on each letter of Teo Fabi’s surname. Don’t know who Teo Fabi is, you should.
FAST? 6 / 10 – The straights are pretty fast and there’s a couple of fast, sweeping corners, but then there’s the slow, technical sections that come with street tracks in the US and elsewhere.
ACTION? 7 / 10 – It’s a pretty cool track being right in the middle of Las Vegas, and the walls provide enough danger for under-achievers. There’s even action when there’s no action, like when the Friday was mostly called off when a drain cover destroyed a Ferrari.
BIG HISTORY? – 3 / 10 – It’s only the third edition of the Las Vegas GP, so not much history, but there’s a decent back history for street tracks in the US. Most of them awful. Especially Miami, but not Long Beach.
INCLEMENT WEATHER? – 5 /10 – The Weather Channel says a 36% chance of AM showers on the Friday. But given the race is run at night that won’t make much difference. But being at night and in almost-Winter, the night time temperatures look cool to say the least. With minimums under 10 degrees Celsius, which could make racing awkward.
RACE POTENTIAL RATING 53% – Not a bad place for a street race, but you know it’s going to be ruined by celebrities.
2025 Las Vegas F1 Grand Prix Prix-view – Stats Summary
Want to know if your favourite driver for this weekend is a master of the track or the track is a master of them? Here then are some barely interesting facts and stats.
Driver Stats – Las Vegas Grand Prix
Driver Stats – Street Track Performance from 2023
Team Stats – Las Vegas Grand Prix
History Stats – Las Vegas Grand Prix
99 = a DNF. Grid position 20 is overstated as that was also used for cars starting in pitlane. Results from all races for long term history and from 2021 from Grid to Race positions. stated.
Season 2025 Team Trends
Here’s a quick look at what’s been happening over the season and in recent races.
Las Vegas Grand Prix – DRIVER PREVIEW RATINGS
The stats boffins at The Gurgler have compiled a whole bunch of stats from this season, and recent seasons at this weekend’s venue, added a multiplier for recent results and come up with a score out of 100% which equates to each driver’s chances of doing well this weekend. Just to make finding a winner for a race more complicated than it needs to be.
Here are The Gurgler Driver Preview Ratings for this weekend.
F1 2025 Season Stuff
We’ve worked hard getting ready for the 2025 F1 Season, and this is our best work below.
The NRL have released their 2026 NRL Draw to the usual debate over turnaround, top and bottom halves and how easy the Broncos get it. But instead of taking the rugby league world’s point of view as gospel, The Gurgler unloads a second analysis piece full of visuals and stats with our 2026 NRL Draw – Team by Team Analysis.
Note: M = Magic Round…NH = Neutral Home Game…B = Bye
Note also: Interstate games do not include Magic Round, so add one more to every non Qld team except Canberra. Lord knows why Canberra are missing out.
BRONCOS
People accuse the Broncos of getting a favourable draw, but there is nothing favourable about three byes, four home games out of five and one trip to Sydney during the Origin period. Much.
BULLDOGS
Bulldogs leave Sydney just once after Round 19 in a very local finish to the season. In fact, they leave Sydney just twice after Magic Round.
COWBOYS
Cowboys are the big travellers in 2026, with Las Vegas no help in reducing transit. They at least get a reprieve in the Post Origin section of the season where they are only the fourth most travelled team instead of first for the other two sections.
DOLPHINS
Dolphins play more Friday games than any other team in 2026, even more than the Broncos. They might want to improve on their 43% win rate on a Friday from 2025.
DRAGONS
Dragons don’t leave Sydney after Round 20, and eight FTA games is rather generous.
EELS
A tough start to Parramatta’s season will test their end of 2025 season form. They play the three most recent Premiers, with ten Grand Finals between them since 2020, all away in the first four rounds of the season.
KNIGHTS
Newcastle will play more Sunday games in 2026 than any other team with 14. The NRL or AI mustn’t like Newcastle very much as the Knights lost all nine games on a Sunday last season.
PANTHERS
While the Panthers get three byes over Origin period, they also get back to back Queensland away trips.
RABBITOHS
Souths play once at home in the first six weeks with a bye and giving up two of their home games to neutral venues.
RAIDERS
Four bottom half teams get more FTA games than Canberra in 2026.
ROOSTERS
The Roosters have a tough mid-season run with a neutral home game at Gosford, three trips to Brisbane, one to Canberra and Melbourne and a home game v Sharks between Rounds 10 and 17.
SEA EAGLES
The Sea Eagles wouldn’t spend a quarter of a tank on fuel during Origin period with 145 kms.
SHARKS
Cronulla finish their season with seven out of eight day games and only twice do they have to leave Sydney, for one of the night games, in Melbourne.
STORM
Lucky Melbourne only get two home games on a Thursday in 2026, as they are 20/20 for all-time.
TIGERS
Tigers play the second most Day games in 2026, which is a good thing as their win rate at daytime in 2025 was three times higher than their night win rate.
TITANS
If the Titans are in the hunt for finals then their run home of five home games in their last six might help. Although they’ll need to improve on last season’s second worst home record of W3 L9.
WARRIORS
Just the three Channel Nein TV games is no surprise for the Warriors in 2026, in fact it is higher than some would cynically guess. Two of those three FTA TV games are at Suncorp Stadium v Broncos and the other is away to the Tigers.
With November 1 deadlines passing, it is good to have something else to focus on, so the NRL unleashed their draw for next season and we turned it into this 2026 NRL Draw Analysis.
As per usual we’ve dived deeper than most would bother and readers would care about, but that hasn’t stopped us from going through as many different cuts of the 2026 NRL Draw Analysis as possible. We didn’t ask AI to help either, we’d rather keep our jobs.
So to fill that NRL off season time, and avoid the clickbait on Facebook, here’s our best effort.
READ MORE: THE GURGLER’S FULL NRL 2026 GEAR
We’ve been working hard for you to bring you the 2026 NRL Season Previews from every angle possible.
Note: M = Magic Round…NH = Neutral Home Game…B = Bye
2026 NRL DRAW – Opposition Strength Top/Low (based on 2025)
Based on 2025 finishing position. This shows how each team has fared with their draw against the top/bottom half of last season’s competition.
2026 NRL DRAW – Opposition Strength Ladder Position (based on 2025)
Same as top and bottom half as above, except using the ladder position for the opposition from 2025. Although it changes so much this all might be a waste of time.
2026 NRL DRAW – Distance Travelled
A Las Vegas adventure doesn’t help, as the Cowboys top the travel for 2026.
Some teams have a laughably short distance to travel in 2026, especially during Origin.
2026 NRL DRAW – Geographic Analysis
1st Visual – WHERE TEAMS PLAY IN 2026 WHEN NOT AT HOME
2nd Visual – WHERE TEAMS PLAY IN 2026 – All Games
2026 NRL DRAW – Turnarounds
A hot topic every season when the draw comes, and like every season when the draw comes out, it looks like the Wests Tigers get a bum deal.
2026 NRL DRAW – Days
The Broncos remain the vampires of the NRL with most of their games at night. Which usually is a good thing as they have a poor daytime record. Mostly.
2026 NRL DRAW – Channel Nein
Some say Channel Nein are biased and hate the Warriors, and we certainly are one of those.
The only surprise is that the Broncos aren’t first for Nein games. And once again the Warriors don’t get a FTA home game.
