We seem to have been saying for weeks now that the next game is make or break but I believe we may really reach that point on Saturday. With Millwall and Leeds both having home fixtures against sides who don't look capable of winning away from home, let alone against better sides slugging it out for automatic promotion, we must be looking to win at Southampton if the Charlton gauntlet is well and truly being thrown down.
It's a massive task but we simply have to avoid falling more than two points off second place our we will face an impossible task with four sides in the mix and only six games to play. Southampton will be firm favourites to trump us and you can see a scenario where the wheels come off for us, but I have had a little something niggling away at me about this fixture since we were bundled out of the JPT and, on the back of two spirited defensive showings, I am holding out for a Charlton result that keeps us in the hunt.
Brentford v Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield face a tough match at Griffin Park but know that a play-off place will still be within their grasp as have yet to play main challengers Colchester at the Galpharm in their last home match.
Prediction; 2-1
Brighton & Hove Albion v Carlisle United
I saw very little from Carlisle to suggest they are doing much more than going through the motions and playing for pride. They were lucky not to get three or four put past them at the Valley and will probably find Brighton wanting it more than they do.
Prediction; 2-0
Colchester United v Swindon Town
Match of the Day candidate here. Colchester's nerves may be jangling and with good reason. Failure to win here and I think we will see them off on Tuesday which would be a rich reward and mean that no-one does the double over us this season.
Prediction; 1-1
Exeter City v Leyton Orient
Exeter will be viewing this as their big chance to put daylight between themselves and the drop. I hope the O's can avoid relegation and they have home games to come against the bottom two, but they also face Norwich, Millwall and Colchester in the run-in.
Prediction; 2-0
Leeds United v Southend United
The Shrimpers are in deep trouble at the bottom and with 15 defeats away from home already, Leeds must be confident of rectifying their stuttering home form. If they can't win here, Carlisle, Gillingham and Charlton away look matches where their automatic promotion hopes finally flounder for a third successive season.
Prediction; 2-0
Millwall v Gillingham
Gillingham are to Millwall what the Lions are to us - a bogey-side. They have a very good record against the Lions and knack of winning against the form, although with no away wins all season, this really would be a turn up for the book. Chris Dickson's chance of immortality at the Valley hangs by a thread and this could be as good as it gets. After a tongue-lashing from the Gills boss following his latest fluffed chance, you have to hope he gets a run out here. We might have to rely on Yeovil or Huddersfield to halt the runaway train.
Prediction; 1-0
Norwich City v MK Dons
Home straight for the Canaries and I am praying they are promoted on Tuesday at Orient, otherwise they are likely to be looking to secure promotion and the title at the Valley on Saturday week. We really don't want to be playing them with that sort of incentive.
Prediction; 4-0
Oldham Athletic v Bristol Rovers
Oldham's chance to get away from the trap-door and I can see them nicking this.
Prediction; 2-1
Southampton v Charlton Athletic
Head says we go down 4-0 but the heart is telling me we can do it. Only four defeats away from home all season and we owe them one. Swindon did it a few weeks back when Southampton still had outside play-off ambitions. How sweet would it be to drive the final nail into Southampton's league ambitions and prove the justification of their ten point penalty? It would be typical Charlton to win here and blow it at home in the week....
Prediction; 0-1
Stockport County v Yeovil Town
Lose this and Stockport are relegated. the win would practically guarantee Yeovil league One football next year - goodbye Stockport.
Prediction; 0-2
Walsall v Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere are showing unlikely signs of a fighting spirit and with Wycombe and Stockport yet to come, they will remain hopeful. This should be beyond them after their 3-0 defeat at Swindon.
Prediction; 2-0
Wycombe Wanderers v Hartlepool United
The Chairboys need a minor miracle to avoid League Two. Swindon at home apart, they have a relatively easy run-in but they simply haven't been winning enough and it's a lot to ask at the eleventh hour. Hartlepool still need two or three results to be safe and will be targeting this one.
Prediction; 1-1
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