Brentford arrive in the Valley tomorrow for the first game of 2012. It's barely six weeks since we beat them by the only goal at their place. The scorer that day was Bradley Wright-Phillips and, almost unforgivably in some fans eyes, it was his last goal for us. This is absolutely laughable and I will take a punt on BWP to open the scoring tomorrow so the fickle hypocrites can reveal themselves.
With something to prove following the defeat yesterday and with options on the bench (Leon Clarke is likely to get a debut late on), I think we will get at the Bees and I am expecting a comfortable if battling home win as we look to maintain our four point advantage. Here's who the others are up against....
Rochdale v Preston North End
Disappointing home showing for PNE against Wednesday and clearly they need a permanent managerial appointment. That for that reason, I think they will be out here.
Prediction; 2-0
AFC Bournemouth v Wycombe Wanderers
Bournemouth are beginning to find last season's form and they should be strong favourites here against a Wycombe side who are their for the taking.
Prediction; 2-0
Bury v Walsall
What a cracking Christmas fixture list for Walsall, Rochdale at home and then Bury away. Another 0-0 draw would be apt.
Prediction; 0-0
Carlisle United v Sheffield United
The Blades are enjoying a good run but I expect t them to get tested more strongly here than in recent weeks. Carlisle to help us re-establish a seven point gap.
Prediction; 2-1
Charlton Athletic v Brentford
Brentford have enjoyed recent visits to the Valley more than they should have. We need to get at them and Danny Green should make a welcome return. Charlton to score first and build.
Prediction; 3-1
Chesterfield v Oldham Athletic
The Latics made a fine recovery to beat Notts County yesterday and they will see this as a golden opportunity for an away win. Chesterfield look down to me.
Prediction; 0-1
Exeter City v Yeovil Town
This should be a slog and a draw is probably the right result although I will tip Exeter to nick it for Devon. I saw an amusing Exeter City sticker in the toilets at Brisbane Road yesterday advocating a boycott of Ginsters products on account of their sponsorship of Argyle!
Prediction; 1-0
Hartlepool United v Scunthorpe United
East Coast clash and anything is possible with Pools' horrendous home record. New Year cheer by the North Sea?
Prediction; 2-1
MK Dons v Colchester United
You live in hope but after dropping conceding a three goal lead and dropping two points at Griffin Park yesterday, I expect MK Dons to kill this off pretty quickly.
Prediction; 3-0
Notts County v Huddersfield Town
Whilst our rivals salivate over a possible Charlton blip, Huddersfield have gone five games without a win since we crushed them at the Valley. This looks like another test of their resolve.
Prediction; 2-2
Sheffield Wednesday v Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere have imploded in recent weeks but they steadied the ship on Friday with a routine 2-0 home win over Bury. They will look to build here and try to become the first away side to win at Hillsborough this season. I hope they do it, so we can become the second team to do it when we visit in a few weeks time. Can't see it.
Prediction; 2-0
Stevenage v Leyton Orient
Thought we made Orient look better than they are yesterday, something we also did at Stevenage. Stevenage to continue their pursuit of the top five.
Prediction; 2-0
With something to prove following the defeat yesterday and with options on the bench (Leon Clarke is likely to get a debut late on), I think we will get at the Bees and I am expecting a comfortable if battling home win as we look to maintain our four point advantage. Here's who the others are up against....
Rochdale v Preston North End
Disappointing home showing for PNE against Wednesday and clearly they need a permanent managerial appointment. That for that reason, I think they will be out here.
Prediction; 2-0
AFC Bournemouth v Wycombe Wanderers
Bournemouth are beginning to find last season's form and they should be strong favourites here against a Wycombe side who are their for the taking.
Prediction; 2-0
Bury v Walsall
What a cracking Christmas fixture list for Walsall, Rochdale at home and then Bury away. Another 0-0 draw would be apt.
Prediction; 0-0
Carlisle United v Sheffield United
The Blades are enjoying a good run but I expect t them to get tested more strongly here than in recent weeks. Carlisle to help us re-establish a seven point gap.
Prediction; 2-1
Charlton Athletic v Brentford
Brentford have enjoyed recent visits to the Valley more than they should have. We need to get at them and Danny Green should make a welcome return. Charlton to score first and build.
Prediction; 3-1
Chesterfield v Oldham Athletic
The Latics made a fine recovery to beat Notts County yesterday and they will see this as a golden opportunity for an away win. Chesterfield look down to me.
Prediction; 0-1
Exeter City v Yeovil Town
This should be a slog and a draw is probably the right result although I will tip Exeter to nick it for Devon. I saw an amusing Exeter City sticker in the toilets at Brisbane Road yesterday advocating a boycott of Ginsters products on account of their sponsorship of Argyle!
Prediction; 1-0
Hartlepool United v Scunthorpe United
East Coast clash and anything is possible with Pools' horrendous home record. New Year cheer by the North Sea?
Prediction; 2-1
MK Dons v Colchester United
You live in hope but after dropping conceding a three goal lead and dropping two points at Griffin Park yesterday, I expect MK Dons to kill this off pretty quickly.
Prediction; 3-0
Notts County v Huddersfield Town
Whilst our rivals salivate over a possible Charlton blip, Huddersfield have gone five games without a win since we crushed them at the Valley. This looks like another test of their resolve.
Prediction; 2-2
Sheffield Wednesday v Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere have imploded in recent weeks but they steadied the ship on Friday with a routine 2-0 home win over Bury. They will look to build here and try to become the first away side to win at Hillsborough this season. I hope they do it, so we can become the second team to do it when we visit in a few weeks time. Can't see it.
Prediction; 2-0
Stevenage v Leyton Orient
Thought we made Orient look better than they are yesterday, something we also did at Stevenage. Stevenage to continue their pursuit of the top five.
Prediction; 2-0
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