All great responses to our Liverpool friend's questions but with the question of game prediction the number of "wild cards" can often determine outcomes.

Early bookings can change plans and cause the booked players to rethink strategies.

Sending off will change things at the fundamental level.

Referee not giving equal free kicks or being biased with have a major impact on players' behavior.

Injuries to key players during the game can be dipterous.

Brain-storms in giving away own goal or leading directly to a goal.

Freezing up on the day and playing poorly.

Ans on and on.

We always predicate based upon know and anticipated situations but its in the Chaos of the game that so often throws all predictions out the window.