Weekend Championship Preview

Six weekends of Seasonus Horriblis left to go and we kick-off against annual under-achievers Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Valley on Saturday. Scott Sinclair has left to show his lightning speed and goal-threat at Crystal Palace, so there will one one less sulker for Alan Pardew to worry about. I have viewed this Wolves match as a straightforward home win all season and nothing, not even current form convinces me otherwise. Wolves don't have a good track record against peer/better sides and we do. I can see us claiming three points and building ourselves up again for Home Park which might be something of decider in terms of lingering play-off hopes. Anyhow, this is my take on the rest....

Bristol City v Norwich City

Norwich are enjoying some decent form but may be breathing easier after crushing Colchester last week. Bristol City lost at Cardiff last time out and will want to maintain their automatic push but the pressure will be on them and I've said all along I can't see them doing it.

Prediction; 1-1

Burnley v Barnsley

Burnley are a couple of points behind us and know that they must win their remaining games at Turf Moor. Barnsley's players will want to stay booking and injury-free ahead of their F A Cup semi-final. Home win!

Prediction; 2-0

Cardiff City v Southampton

Southampton are in dire straights and could be in the bottom three come 5pm on Saturday. They had a lack-lustre 0-0 at home to fellow strugglers Coventry last week and I can see them going down here away from home to the F A Cup hopefuls .

Prediction; 2-0

Charlton Athletic v Wolverhampton Wanderers

As I have said, I don't rate Wolves and they were fortunate to beat us at Molineux this year. I expect us to gain revenge and leapfrog them in the process.

Prediction; 2-0

Coventry City v Plymouth Argyle

And we think we've had a poor season! Big club Coventry were expected to challenge this year. Iain Dowie (where's he?) lead them towards the wrong end of the season and much of the blame was laid at the uncertainty surrounding the takeover of the club. Ray Ransom finally rode into a town that wanted him and they got a bit of a bounce having unloaded Jonah Dowie. However, the improvement has been short-lived and they are down there with Southampton, Leicester and Sheffield Wednesday, one of who looks odds-on to drop. You wouldn't want to be playing Plymouth right now either.

Prediction; 0-1

Crystal Palace v Blackpool

Blackpool have been pissing on people's chips all season and we'd all like to see them do it just one more time. However, their season looks over in mid-table and Neil Warnock should get enough from his team to win this. Expect Scott Sinclair to come on and make a late goal.

Prediction; 2-0

Hull City v Watford

This looks like match of the day. A real ding-dong in prospect. Hull are finishing strongly but lack the quality in depth of Watford. My money's on another Watford away win.

Prediction; 1-2

Ipswich Town v QPR

QPR are ending the season well and should be a threat next year. They will encounter a bouyant home side tomorrow who will probably have too much desire for them.

Prediction; 2-1

Leicester City v Scunthorpe United

Relegation nail-biter at the Walker Stadium. Fresh from a home defeat last week by Hull, Leicester have the chance to hammer a relegation nail into the Scunthorpe coffin. I won't miss them.

Prediction; 2-0

Preston NE v Sheffield United

Mid-table nothing in prospect here. I'll go with home advantage.

Prediction; 2-0

Sheffield Wednesday v Stoke City

Sheffiled Wednesday don't belong in the third tier and Stoke don't belong in the first. Justice at Hillsborough please!

Prediction; 2-1

West Bromwich Albion v Colchester United

If West Brom pick up their games in hand they will move into an automatic place that they deserve. By battering Colchester tomorrow that should become the top-slot.

Prediction; 5-0

If I am right with my predictions, we would move up to 9th with Argyle away next week. It could be over sooner than Alan Pardew thinks. Let's hope I am wrong.