Friday 24 October 2008

Weekend Championship Preview, Game 13

Here we go again and peversely, this is a game I believe we will all be looking forward to when on Wednesday morning it was one we were all dreading. The Arabs have buggered off and we're on our own again. There's a definate whiff of the Dunkirk spirit in the air and Addicks everywhere are closing ranks. This is just what we need right now and you have to believe there will be a positive reaction from the players. Game 13 might prove unlucky for the Clarets.

The Tykes got their third home win of the season in the week whilst City were making the best of their good fortune to be playing the Implodables. I can see Barnsley making it two-in-a-row here if they can get the lead.
Prediction; 2-1

City are top again and get a chance to increase their lead. Sheffield Wednesday have improved from last season but still lack any consistency. This should be a step too far and Kevin Phillips will fancy his chances of adding again to his impressive career total of goals.
Predictin; 2-0

Another battling performance from Palace in midweek to eventually be robbed in the last seconds at St Andrews. Blackpool have won two, drawn two and lost two at home and I predict another very tight game. It might be hard to separate these sides.
Prediction; 1-1

Charlton Athletic v Burnley
I honestly felt this game was lost on Wednesday after the Bristle defeat. However, I think there will now be a backlash from the stands and, more importantly, on the pitch. The team might get an even better starting support than they did on Tuesday and if we can produce another opening 20 minutes like we did against City then surely we will take the lead and the initiative. I believe we will need two goals to beat the Clarets, so I hope we press on if we get the lead. You have to think that our squad will feel collective relief at the Zabeel decision and we might get a rolled-up-sleeves performance for longer than 20 minutes or the first half. 
Prediction; 3-1

Coventry City v Derby County 
Coventry's home defeat to two late Burnley goals on Tuesday was a big surprise and Cookie Coleman will be demanding more here. It's a Derby derby of sorts and I wouldn't be at all surprised if Derby repeat Burnley's feat of a dramatic late win.
Prediction; 0-1

City fans have been purring since their demolition of Wolves in the week. Leroy Lita netted a hat-trick and could have had a couple more by all accounts. If he sees that much of the ball tomorrow Donny will be sunk as they look incapable of scoring more than one goal per two matches.
Prediction; 2-0

Cardiff take their unbeaten away record to the City Ground on Saturday confident that they can maintain it after coming back from two-down at Watford to scrape another draw. Jay Bothroyd netted twice in that game which means that he is now unlikely to score again until Christmas if his career showing to date is anything to go by. Cardiff will still be favourites here but this is the game of the weekend which I think offers the biggest prospect of a win against the odds (along with the Addicks).
Prediction; 2-1

Argyle know that another home win here will see them into a play-off position and that should be all the incentive Paul Sturrock's charges need. Ipswich are notoriously poor travellers and having picked up a point at Forest on Tuesday might feel their work's been done until they trot out at Portman Road again.
Prediction; 2-0

This is the televised 5.20pm match and should provide Reading with their 7th straight home win. They won't win them all this year and are due to drop some points soon. Rangers have been better when televised this year and this is also a relative derby. In the circumstances I think the Super Hoops might go close here but no cigar. Manager Iain Dowie looks like he might be seeing out his last few matches if Rangers lose any more ground on the play-off spots. 
Reading; 1-0

United are unbeaten at home having won three and drawn three. Can't see PNE troubling them here.
Prediction; 2-0

Both of these sides ground out 0-0's in the week. Saints will look for the same again but that should be too much against a Swansea side who will set about them at the Liberty Stadium. Defeat for Southampton might see them into the drop zone and their Dutch manager must be a close favourite with Iain Dowie in the sack race.
Prediction; 2-0

Watford v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Mick McCarthy is not finding it easy living at the top of the table. The five goals conceded at Norwich come on the back of several other defeats in recent weeks. Wanderers cretainly have the firepower to get goals but their defence is looking equally vulnerable right now. Aidy Boothroyd will have kicked his sides' arses after letting Cardiff escape with a draw in the week and he will want to see this one closed out. Watford to pip Wolves.
Prediction; 2-1

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