Thursday 29 January 2009

Weekend Championship Preview, Game 30

Undeterred from calling nearly everything wrong on Tuesday, here's my take on this weekends' Championship fixtures.

Doncaster Rovers v Norwich City
Both of these sides are targets for Addick survival and both won in midweek - this game is played for the cameras tomorrow evening. It's a no-win game for us in many ways, although a draw is probably our best outcome. Norwich are bouncing under Bryan Gunn but Doncaster have discovered how to win and their 1-0 victory at Bramall lane in the week will have them in fine fettle for this one.
Prediction; 1-0

Bristol City v Barnsley
City went and won at Plymouth in the week so I can see them seeing Barnsley off here. The Tykes need to be careful if they are to avoid being pulled back into a relegation scrap.
Prediction; 2-0

Burnley v Charlton Athletic
The heart is saying we can follow-up the Palace win with another result here. Burnley have lost their last three league games and have injury problems in defence. However, we were not impressive against Palace and it will take a lot more than a resolute defensive display to get us anything at Turf Moor. We have defensive worries of our own and we don't look capable of scoring more than once in a game with the formation Parky is deploying or his insistence on sticking with Gray and Burton. Burnley know they need three points here if they are to stay in touch with the play-offs and that's what their football this year deserves after all of their cup success.
Prediction; 2-0

Cardiff City v Nottingham Forest
It's rare for me to be rooting for Cardiff but I will be doing just that on Saturday. Earnshaw will be out to score against his countrymen, but Cardiff should have too much for Forest. I really hope they get the points because it might make them a fraction less hungry at the Valley on Saturday-week.
Prediction; 2-1

Crystal Palace v Blackpool
Blackpool succumbed 3-0 at QPR at home in the week, so it's hard seeing them getting anything at Palace. Palace are wobbling at the moment and Blackpool have been decent away from home but I can't see the Eagles being beaten at home twice on the spin, especially after their humiliating defeat in the week ;)
Prediction; 2-1

Derby County v Coventry City
The Derby revival has been short-lived and they are back amongst the dead-men. A tough baptism for Nigel Clough. This is just the sort of fixture they don't need at the moment. I can see City getting something although it'll probably only be the point.
Prediction; 1-1

Ipswich Town v Plymouth Argyle
Home banker for me here. Argyle have been sinking a la Barnsley of late (we've got them in three games time). Town have won their last two on the road at Palace and Barnsley and will see this as a golden chance to close in on the play-off pack.
Prediction; 3-0

Preston NE v Sheffield United
Sheffield United tripped up at home to Donny in the week whilst PNE got a whipping at Swansea. Both will want to avoid a second successive so a draw looks favourite to me.
Prediction; 2-2

QPR v Reading
My match-of-the-day here as the hoops play the hoops on the west of town. I think this will be a close game and a goal might settle it.
Prediction; 0-0

Sheffield Wednesday v Birmingham City
Birmingham have been struggling to score of late and James McFadden joined Gary O'Connor on the injury list this week. Wednesday have been impressive at home all season and this might be their last chance to make a dash for the play-offs.
Prediction; 1-0

Southampton v Swansea City
Saints look like they are determined to out-do us in the collapse stakes and we can only pray that "doing a Southampton" becomes the vogue. Like us they have ditched their failing manager and gone least-cost in promoting their number two Dutchman, Mark Wosse. Not a good time to play a bubbling Swansea. For the record, I believe we will finish above the Saints.
Prediction; 0-2

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Watford
Born-again Watford have been smashing the goals in since Brendan Rodgers steadied the ship and they will relish a crack at nervous Wolves. Wanderers have seen their early season lead whittled away and are in danger of making a hash of things. I'll go for them to steady themselves here.
Prediction; 2-1

I will at least be listening in to events at Burnley this weekend.


2 comments:

  1. Do you give us a better chance if Gray is also out injured? Even with a makeshift defence.

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  2. Can't see it Suze. Dickson deserves a few starts but we're just not creating enough away from home and we we have only managed five clean sheets all season. Having had one in midweek, I am not confident we will get another tomorrow, especially without Fortune and now possibly Hudson. Can't imagine a Holland and Basey pairing for 90 minutes away from home. We can't say we haven't been warned.

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