Weekend Championship Preview

Another important weekend programme in the race for promotion to the Premier League. Spare a thought too for Cardiff and Coventry, both of whom are peering down the wrong end of Administration shotguns.

Barnsley v Crystal Palace

Palace are perking up under Neil Warnock but I expect Barnsley to be too strong at Oakwell.

Prediction; 2-1

Cardiff City v Colchester United

Cardiff were dire on Tuesday and have bigger off-the-field problems to contend with. Colchester will believe this is a game they can win having run Watford close. I can see Super Kevin Lisbie netting here to atone for the equaliser he missed on Tuesday.

Prediction; 0-1

Charlton Athletic v Ipswich Town

Here we go again. Surely this time we'll get it right? Ipswich have a similar problem to us in that their home and away form is so inconsistent. They are bound to pick up a win on their travels sooner rather than later but I think they will have to wait a bit longer. Form here might suggest a draw but I am opting for Charlton to score first and go on to secure the points.

Prediction; 2-0

Leicester City v West Brom

West Brom conceded four at home in the Coventry derby and that will have hurt. Leicester meanwhile need the points and I expect them to give the Baggies a hard game.

Prediction; 1-1

Norwich City v Sheffield Utd

Not a good time to be playing Norwich, who are regaining their confidence under Glen Roeder. Sheffield United have been as inconsistent as anyone in this haphazard division and this is a hard one to call. However, the memory of their battling, counter-attacking performance at the Valley is still fresh in the mind, so I can see them winning here if they score first.

Prediction; 1-2

Plymouth Argyle v Bristol City

West Country derby this and both sides continue to punch above their weight. Paul Sturrock will be keen to pick up where he left off and I think Plymouth will edge this.

Prediction; 1-0

Preston North End v Blackpool

Another passionate derby that has seen significantly better times. Preston are in the bottom three at the moment courtesy of terrible away form. They have been decent at home, however, and will leap-frog Blackpool if they win. All the incentive they need really.

Prediction; 2-1

Scunthorpe v QPR

Like so many clubs before them, QPR look to me like a side haunted by the ghost of shabbily treated managers (I include us in this when I think Ian Dowie deserved a bit longer). John Gregory was not given a fair crack of the whip and Mick Harford was dumped having managed a minor miracle as caretaker. Ed De Goey is the latest backroom casualty and Rangers looked doomed.

Predition; 2-0

Sheffield Wednesday v Coventry City

We think we have been on a rollercoaster this year - nothing compared to Wednesday's home showings where they have won 4, drawn o and lost 6. Coventry picked up a great win at the Hawthorns where Michael Mifsud excelled again. This will surely be one of his last appearances for City as he will have to be sold if they go into Administration and he will be a January transfer target if they are saved. I can see him scoring here too, and that might enough for Coventry.

Prediction; 0-1

Southampton v Hull City

Hull are proving to be more resilient that I gave them credit for at the start of the year. Southampton have blown hot and cold all season and drew a blank at home against Wednesday in the week. I can't see too many goals in this one and am inclined to think it might be another stalemate.

Prediction; 0-0

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Burnley

As we know to our cost, Wolves have been strong at home this year having notched up 7 wins. Similarly, Burnley have been good away from Turf Moor where they have 5 wins to their credit.
Burnley are unlikley to receive any more early Christmas presents but will run this one close.

Prediction; 2-1

Stoke City v Watford

If I have woken from my slumber after the big fight (justice should see Ricky Hatton adding the WBC title to his collection), this will be good Sunday afternoon viewing. Like us, Watford are good away from home and recovered to beat Colchester in midweek. Stoke, though, are fighting to establish themselves as automatic promotion candidates and this should be an intriguing clash. I'd expect home advantage to tell and Watford have been wobbling of late.

Prediction; 2-1