Thursday 17 September 2009

League One Weekend Preview, Game 8

Norwich City is one of my favourite away games and I am looking forward to the trip on Saturday. Early-booked first class returns for £24 represents great value-for-money and we will be up there for 12.30 in time for a few pints of local before making our way to Carrow Road and a Delia Smith pie. We have everything to play for and I think we might be facing them at just the right time as they continue to find their feet under Paul Lambert and whilst they have a mini injury crisis.

It's a rare Saturday when all of the games in our league kick-off at 3pm which is somehow so much more satisfying than having one on Friday, one at lunchtime on Saturday and one on Monday etc. Here's who's playing who and my take on the games...

Brentford v Bristol Rovers
Both of these sides have made decent starts to the season and Brentford will be out to defend their unbeaten home start. Rovers needed a last minute goal at home to Oldham last week to take the points and I can see them being pipped here.
Prediction;2-1

Brighton & Hove Albion v Southend
Class war of the seaside towns. Brighton sunk my accumulator last week by winning at Carlisle although their home form has seen them win one and lose two. They will be up for this but Southend may be strong enough to take a point.
Prediction; 1-1

Colchester United v Hartlepool
The Pools are unbeaten away from home so far but this may present their toughest test yet. Colchester got a good point at Swindon last week and I fancy them to win here.
Prediction; 2-0

Exeter City v Tranmere Rovers
Something's got to give here. Tranmere have been poor so far under Barnes & McAteer and have lost all three on the road. Exeter have yet to win at home but won't get better chances than this.
Prediction; 2-0

Leeds United v Gillingham
This is just the sort of game that Gillingham get results in. They have a bit of a Wimbledon tendency when it comes to playing bigger clubs and in Simeon Jackson they appear to have a striker who is quickly building a reputation and who may be really up for this. The easy money is on a home win but I will stick my neck out here and go for a surprise reversal.
Prediction; 1-2

Millwall v Huddersfield
Ouch! You have to feel for Millwall, don't you? They are battling a worrying injury crisis and are playing are the wrong teams at the wrong time. Just when you want Tranmere at home, you get Huddersfield. Ordinarily I would have the Lions down here for a routine win but the Terriers might give them trouble here.
Prediction; 2-2

Norwich City v Charlton Athletic
Match of the Day for me. A Championship fixture less than five months ago, both sides will be determined to get the result here. A draw would be a decent result for the Addicks but Norwich are having to field very young sides right now and it's a great chance for us to capitalise and get the result which would set us up for Exeter and the tougher away games that follow at Colchester and Leeds.
Prediction; 1-2

Oldham Athletic v Carlisle United
Oldham yet to win at home and Carlisle yet to win away. However, last week's capitulation at home to Brighton won't have left Carlisle in fine fettle and Oldham tails should be up here.
Prediction; 2-0

Southampton v Yeovil Town
Ooh-ar! If Southampton are to get their first win of the season then they won't get many better opportunities than this. Yeovil have only managed one point away so far and Southampton looked like a side on the mend last week.
Prediction; 2-0

Stockport County v Leyton Orient
Both of these sides drew last week against lowly opposition. Stockport have yet to win at home and I can see the O's making hay here.
Prediction; 0-2

Walsall v Swindon Town
Swindon have had a fine start to the season with two wins and two draws at home and a win, draw and defeat away. They will fancy this at the other end of the M5. Walsall have yet to win at home but have shown good away form with two wins and a draw since losing at the Valley. Deeney and Byfield scored the goals to sink Tranmere last week and the same here should be enough to send Swindon packing.
Prediction; 2-1

Wycombe Wanderers v Milton Keynes Dons
A derby of sorts I suppose. MK Dons fought back well on Monday from an early Norwich goal to win and should put up a big fight here, although Wycombe looked capable when we played them at the Valley recently and should have enough to share the spoils.
Prediction; 1-1



No comments:

Post a Comment

Go on, you know you want to....