Weekend Championship Preview

Penultimate weekend of the season and nothing to play for. Time to catch-up with jobs and start planning for a long-awaited break from the trials and tribulations of being a diehard Charlton fan. For the benefit of those who are mildly interested (that's you Leicester and Coventry fans), here is my two pennorth....

Barnsley v Charlton Athletic

Barnsley are crap at the moment. Beaten at home by Leicester last weekend and now perilously close to the drop-zone after making the F A Cup semi-finals. Luckily for them they play a Chartlton team lacking any motivation. This is a nailed-on home win. Almost so much so, that we could probably do what we normally do in these situations...

Prediction; 2-0

Burnley v Cardiff City

I'd rather stick pins my eyes than watch this one. Going through the motions, literally.

Prediction; 0-0

Colchester United v Stoke City

Bye, bye Col U - I'll happily wait another 20 years to see you again. Stoke are within an ace of the unbelievable. As we know, the table doesn't lie at this end of the season and they look to be seizing automatic promotion.Sour grapes I know, but next year they will have Derby's target of one Premier League victory to beat.

Prediction; 0-3

Coventry City v Wolverhampton Wanderers

Comfortable 5-1 away win at Colchester last week for relegation threatened Coventry. They need something against Wolves but Wanderers might want it more on the basis that they have to win to have a chance of catching Palace. Sounds like a stalemate to me.

Prediction; 1-1

Hull City v Crystal Palace

Go Tiger, go Tigers! Match of the weekend in prospect here. Palace are on another good run and will fancy this one. Hull might find them too hard to breakdown.

Prediction; 0-0

Leicester City v Sheffield Wednesday

Ooh er. Winner stays-up and Leicester will be favourites after last weeks win Barnsley. I don't think Wednesday deserve to be relegated but it's looking ominous.

Prediction; 1-0

Norwich City v QPR

Ther Canaries have been poor in the last couple of months following the Glen Roeder honeymoon period. They need another point for safety and I can see them getting it here.

Prediction; 1-1

Plymouth Argyle v Blackpool

Routine home win.

Prediction; 2-0

Preston NE v Ipswich Town

It's still possible for Ipswich to make 6th and that might be enough incentive to beat a poor Preston side.

Prediction; 0-2

Sheffield United v Bristol City

City will be thinking about the play-offs and United are on a good run. I expect the Blades to challenge next season and Kevin Blackwell will be insisting on a strong finish.

Prediction; 2-0

Watford v Scunthorpe United

I think we should organise commiseration drinks with Watford fans during the close season. Their misery mirrors our own and possibly trumps it. Top for most of the season and horribly inconsistent at home. They have fallen at the final hurdle but at least have the compensation of the play-offs, although I wouldn't exactly back them to get through.

Prediction; 2-1

West Brom v Southampton

West Brom could be promoted before this game takes place on Monday night. Either way, it should be a celebration for them. If Wednesday get anything at Leicester, then Southampton will have their heads in the noose.

Prediction; 2-0