Weekend Championship Preview

I'm not doing my weekend bet until Friday. In the meantime, here are my Championship predictions.

Barnsley v Watford

Barnsley have won 5 and drawn 2 of 7 at Oakwell this season. They need a win to keep them in play-off contention. Watford meanwhile have the best away record in the division having won 6 and drawn 1 of 8 away matches. I suspect they will do a job on Barnsley here and return south with the points.

Prediction; 1-2

Bristol City v Leicester City

City need the points from their 3pm kick-off to climb above the Addicks. Leicester have only been beaten once away from the Walker Stadium all season - that being at the Valley. A result here would do us a favour but I fancy Bristol to edge it.

Prediction; 1-0

Burnley v Stoke City

Hard to call this one; both sides are blowing hot and cold. I'll cop out and call it a draw.

Prediction; 1-1

Cardiff City v Ipswich Town

Cardiff have managed only one home win this season but Ipswich haven't won away yet. The break may have recharged Cardiff's veteran frontline and they might be good for a goal that could win it.

Prediction; 1-0

Colchester United v Crystal Palace

Palace look to be in a spot of bother. I expect Colchester to win this and young Kevin Lisbie to apply some salt to the wound. This would be Palace's tenth successive game without a win and, I think, the seventh winless game under Neil "you've got five games" Warnock. Simon Jordan might just be wondering if he's made another mistake. Palace are in real danger of taking the lead in the relegation race and if Neil Warnock can't get a win soon I can see him mirroring Les Reed after Iain Dowie's start. Could be a delightful case of deja vu.

Prediction; 2-0

Norwich City v Coventry City

Glenn Roeder has brought a couple of new faces in to what wasn't a bad Norwich side anyway. I think they will start to put some results together and may get one against the Sky Blues. Coventry are poor one week and good the next. The uncertainty of the vaunted takeover probably isn't helping and Iain Dowie's being linked in the press with a number of the current managerial vacancies. Michael Mifsud has also been suggested as a target for the big boys in January.

Prediction; 1-0

Preston North End v Charlton Athletic

We could have done with a bit of prevarication from Preston but will have to face Alan Irvine's fired-up troops on the live TV game on Saturday evening. Hopefully we will catch them as yet unprepared although our live TV record hangs ominously and Preston have a decent home form irrespective. Interestingly, Alan Irvine informed the Deepdale faithful that he knows all about Charlton from our games against Everton last season. He might be in for something of a surprise.

Prediction; 1-1

QPR v Sheffield Wednesday

The fortunes of both of these sides have improved in recent weeks. Rangers need the points more than Wednesday and I reckon they have enough about them to get the win.

Prediction; 2-1

Scunthorpe v Hull City

Local derby here with both clubs struggling to make an impression in the division. I'll settle for honours even.

Prediction; 1-1

Sheffield United v Plymouth Argyle

Bryan Robson is fighting for his job at United and has been getting a response from his team in recent weeks. This has coincided with an overdue return to form for James Beattie. Wishful thinking but I can see United picking up the points to keep them going as they lose at the Valley in midweek.

Prediction; 2-0

Southampton v Blackpool

I can't see beyond a home win here. Southampton are due a result and Blackpool have been unimpressive away from the Tower.

Prediction; 2-0

West Bromich Albion v Wolverhampton Wanderers

My immediate inclination is to hope Wolves might get something from this derby game but the last time I thought West Brom might slip-up in a derby, they hammered Coventry 4-0 at the Ricoh. Therefore, I'm opting for a comfortable home win on Sunday.

Prediction; 2-0