Monday 27 October 2008

Midweek Championship Preview, Game 14

Another full Championship programme tomorrow night. We make the shortish trip to Portman Road to face Jim Magilton's men who will be bouyed by a very good win at Plymouth on Saturday. Town were as good at home last season as they were bad away. Their second win of the season away will have them looking for their third home win and I can't see us stopping them. We simply aren't scoring enough goals to win games - two in six away games is meagre fare, although we have only conceded six. I'd go with an attacking 4-4-2 formation but suspect AP might revert to type and put out a defensive 4-5-1 using the usual suspects. If we do lose we could slip closer to the teams below us, two of whom, Doncaster and Barnsley, face each other. Again, Barnsley at home looks like a big game - how sad is that?

Two play-off contenders clash here and home advantage might tell. United stumbled past Preston on Saturday whilst City shut out Barnsley in south Yorkshire for a point. 
Prediction; 1-0

Reading failed to win at home for the first time this season and might find this a long trip. Burnley will see this as a chance to move into the play-off zone after four points in two on the road. 
Prediction; 2-1

Cardiff City v Blackpool 
Cardiff did it again on Saturday with Ross McCormack netting the winner at woeful Forest. Dave Jones really is getting the best out of his team and you have to fancy them to beat Blackpool who have only lost once away so far this season.
Prediction; 2-0 

A decent point for the Eagles at Blackpool on Saturday and they will be relishing this one. Home banker as Forest consolidate their lead at the botttom of the table.
Prediction; 3-0

Derby County v Norwich City
Rob Hulse scored again for Derby as they drew 1-1 with Coventry at the weekend. Norwich made it two in two as Leroy Lita fired a late winner at Carrow Road. Derby look favourite but I'll take Norwich to battle for a point here and wouldn't be surprised to see Hulse and Lita on the scoresheet again.
Prediction; 1-1

Doncaster Rovers v Barnsley
Barnsley could overhaul us if they win this and Rovers could get within three points; truly frightening. However, both sides are struggling to score; Rovers have only scored two at home and Barnsley only one away! 
Prediction; 0-0

Can't see it I'm afraid. Kevin Lisbie is due another goal against us and he's worth a punt for the winner.
Prediction; 2-0

After their early season nosebleed when leading the table, Preston have slipped back to 15th and have lost five in six. Watford have been blowing hot and cold and much will depend on what frame of mind they arrive in. I'll go for them to bounce back after their unfortunate 3-2 home defeat by Wolves.
Prediction; 1-2

Gareth Ainsworth got a good point at Reading on Saturday and will know that he needs three more here if he has any chance of landing the job permanently. You have to think QPR's unrealistically ambitious Board will want a bigger name and someone with a lot more experience than Ainsworth. City look destined for a immediate return to the big time and a point here will probably do Mr McLeish. 
Prediction; 0-0

Both losers on Saturday, Sheffield Wednesday will be favorites here to preserve their unbeaten home sequence and move themselves back towards an unlikely looking play-off place.
Prediction; 2-0

You only need to ensure you have more points than three sides to avoid relegation. Southampton look like they will be one side we should finish above but we only have a two point gap at the moment and this will be another opportunity for them to close it.
Prediction; 1-1

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Swansea City
Exciting match in prospect here with two sides who pass and have a go. Both were weekend winners and this could be a thriller.
Prediction; 3-2

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