Midweek Championship Preview

Bristol City and Burnley both took full advantage of their home games today by beating Blackpool and Scunthorpe respectively. That means City are now second on goal difference to West Brom on 51 points. Burnley move up to seventh, just a draw behind the Addicks on 43 points.

Before we take to the field on Tuesday evening we will know the outcome of the Leicester v Palace match which is on Monday night so will know what 3 more points will do for us. I think we can beat Stoke by a two goal margin to get above them and I believe that will be enough to see us climb above Palace back into 4th spot.

Elsewhere today West Brom had a good win at Peterborough so will have at least another game to contend with in the FA Cup and the Millwall dream of a few bob more has also ended care of Iain Dowie's Coventry.

Here's my assessment of the mid-week games in the Championship....

Leicester City v Crystal Palace

The Palace run will end soon and I reckon Ian Holloway's new team could be the boys to do it. They beat Coventry in their last home game and got a battling point at Norwich last time out. They will have benefitted from the mini-break and I'll go for them to bump Palace

Prediction; 2-1

Barnsley v Colchester United

Colchester looked doomed and it can be grim up north when it's going against you. The Tykes to pile on the misery.

Prediction; 3-0

Cardiff City v Queens Park Rangers

Interesting match in prospect here. Both sides have picked up and Rangers are finally spending some money wisely. They have moved clear of the relegation zone and will need to be properly motivated for this or else Cardiff will win again and edge closer to the play-offs (nightmare scenario).

Prediction; 2-1

Charlton Athletic v Stoke City

It's now or never. We owe Stoke for nicking three points off us earlier in the season in front of the Sky cameras. I hope the memory of that is in our players minds. There can be no more excuses. We need get at Stoke from the start and put them under real pressure. If we can maintain a good tempo we will create enough chances to win. The benefit of an early goal and/or scoring first was evident for all to see at home to Blackpool, so let's hope the players go for it. Hopefully we will also avoid another sending-off or another poor referring performance.

Prediction; 3-1

Hull City v Coventry City

Coventry have appeared perilously close to the drop zone all of a sudden. They will be bouyed by their FA Cup progress but really need to get some points on the board. Hull isn't the best place to go for an evening game and I can see them coming a cropper. I am still surprised that no-one's gone for Michael Mifsud so far in the transfer window.

Prediction; 2-0

Ipswich Town v Plymouth Argyle

Spirits will be low in the Plymouth camp having tumbled out of the cup at Portsmouth today. Tuesday might come too soon for a fighting display and that's whats's needed to get anything at Portman Road.

Prediction; 2-0

Preston North End v West Bromwich Albion

Great win for Preston at Derby today although it's hardly giant-killing in the circumstances. However, we have to hope they will be in good spirits and can have a go, although West Brom are looking ominously good of late.

Prediction; 1-2

Sheffield United v Watford

Watford crashed out of the cup at home to Wolves today and looked well beaten. This game might come too quickly for them and Sheffield United need something soon or Bryan Robson will be getting the boot. The pain of defeat in the Sheffield derby also needs soothing.

Prediction; 2-1

Southampton v Norwich City

Southampton laboured to beat Bury today and might still be feeling the effects come Tuesday. Norwich aren't out of danger yet either so I predict a real scrap and both might settle for a point.

Prediction; 1-1

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Sheffield Wednesday

Powerful win at Watford for the Old Gold today and they will have their tails up on Tuesday. Wednesday are more than capable of getting a result but I'm going for Wolves to make it three wins in a row.

Prediction; 2-0

So, an exciting week in prospect and we can capitalise at Scunthorpe on Saturday if we beat Stoke. We can't keep playing catch-up. Sooner or later you have to challenge the teams above you if you are going to get automatic promotion and now is our chance.

C'mon you Reds!