Weekend Championship preview

I'm off to Edinburgh at the weekend for the important 6 Nations opener for Scotland against France. Hopefully the wretched conditions will persist through until Sunday afternoon and I can see Scotland off to a winning start. My heart will be with the boys at Glanville Park where I am sure we can get the result we need to give us momentum for the Friday derby. Here's how I see the rest of the matches in our division....

Blackpool v Leicester City

These sides are level pegging hovering above the drop zone. Blackpool will have home advantage but Leicester are a form side. I'm going for a stalemate here.

Prediction; 1-1

Colchester City v Sheffield United

Can't see past a draw here either. Sheffield United should have the firepower to win this but Colchester will scrap tooth and nail.

Prediction; 1-1

Coventry City v Barnsley

City need a win to give themselves some breathing space at the bottom and Barnsley are just the side to help out; away from home they are only better than Ipswich. I fancy the mosquito to score again as a reminder to the Premiership about what might have been.

Prediction; 2-1

Crystal Palace v Southampton

Southampton are rudderless at the moment and the Board haven't helped matters by letting Rasiak and Skacel leave in the transfer window. They are on the ropes at the moment and I can see Palace punishing them. I hope Chairman Lee Hoos knows what he's doing because they are only 7 points above the drop zone and there's a lot of football yet to be played.

Norwich City v Preston North End

Preston are on something of a roll at the moment. They are through to the 5th round and have just beaten the table toppers at Deepdale. Norwich will see this a big step towards safety if they can take three points and I think they should just about have enough.

Prediction; 1-0

Plymouth Argyle v Hull City

Plymouth have not fared well in the transfer window as they have seen three players leave. Their fans might have a bit more sympathy for Ian Holloway in the circumstances. Paul Sturrock might have a job lifting spirits for the visit of a Hull side who are having a go away from home. I think they might be good enough here for a point.

Prediction; 1-1

QPR v Bristol City

City signed Dele Adebola from Coventry as the window closed and will be confident about getting a result at Loftus Road. Rangers, however, have also strengthened their side and performances are on the up. I think they can pull off a big win tomorrow and move clear of the relegation zone.

Prediction; 2-0

Scunthorpe United v Charlton Athletic

Got to fancy Charlton to take the points here. They finished against Stoke in bouyant mood and should play with confidence from the off tomorrow. We should have 1000+ fans there to cheer us on and we couldn't be playing Scunny at a better time; they haven't won in 11 home games and their recent form is taking them down. If we can score early we can wrap this up and maybe increase our goal difference ahead of the Palace showdown. We have a great result record when I am in Scotland!

Prediction; 0-2

Sheffield Wednesday v Ipswich Town

Looks like a home win although Wednesday can be erratic - they have won 6, drawn 0 and lost 7 at home. I'm going for Ipswich to break their duck away from home.

Prediction; 1-2

Stoke City v Cardiff City

Cardiff are in good form and could do us a huge favour here although that would put them within a point of us if we lost at Scunthorpe. Stoke looked solid on Wednesday and will be fired-up to get over their defeat at the Valley and continue their recent progress. A draw would be no bad thing but I think Ricardo Fuller might be the difference.

Prediction; 2-1

Watford v Wolverhampton Wanderers

We thought we had problems at home! Wolves wopped Watford at Vicarage Road in the Cup and will be up for it tomorrow. Watford desperately need something and I can see a draw which would again favour us addicks.

Prediction; 2-2

West Bromwich Albion v Burnley

Hopefully Burnley will have a go here, but you've got to put your money on West Brom. Burnley are hanging about the play-off fringes like a bad smell, and I will be pleased to see them out of the picture come the end of the season.

Prediction; 2-0

Come on you REDS!!!!