Birmingham away on Saturday and it's hard to see us getting anything. Our performance at Plymouth was a surprise, in light of what we've witnessed recently and there seems to be some optimism, certainly from those who went to Home Park, that we can get something at St. Andrews. Birmingham are under fire for some lack-lustre displays of their own but we shouldn't forget that they aren't in second place for no reason.
I will be shooting up to Edinburgh tomorrow to see Scotland play South Africa at egg-chasing. Rugby friendlies are often non-events but I talked myself into this a few months ago as some South Africans I know were badgering me about getting to Murrayfield. I'll make the most of it and get a coupon on at the airport tomorrow on a few of the following....
Barnsley v Watford
A no-win fixture this as both of these sides are scrapping for points with us. Watford have been dire away from home this season so I'll go with Barnsley to edge it.
Prediction; 1-0
I suspect Pards will go with the closest side to that he put out last week and much will depend on how committed they are to getting something. I see the inadequacies of the last couple of months as reflective of a fundamental problem between the manager and the team. I'd love to be proven wrong and will be the first to put my hand up if he can do it, but the usual outcome in these situations is a new manager. I fancy Cameron Jerome and Kevin Phillips if he plays, to get on the scoresheet.
Prediction; 2-0
City have not found it easy at home this year but Forest have struggled badly away. City won at Southampton last week and this is a great opportunity for them to climb back into the play-off places.
Prediction; 2-0
Surprise winners at Coventry last week, Palace should find this a tougher fixture. Cardiff don't give much away and this could be a very drab affair.
Prediction; 1-0
Inconsistency haunts Coventry this season and they are in danger of turning their season into another relegation struggle. Plymouth have enjoyed their away days so far and I'll stick my neck out for an away win.
Prediction; 1-2
I couldn't see Derby finishing outside the top six at the start of the season and thought Paul Jewell might take them straight back up with Reading. It's not panned out that way so far but County have at least hauled themselves to mid-table and a win here would push them into the top ten.
Prediction; 1-0
Ipswich should collect all the points here but Doncaster are still battling away and this would be my long-shot of the day. Doncaster need a break and if they get it here they are more than capable of recording only their third win of the campaign.
Prediction; 2-0
This could go either way. I expected Norwich to have settled down by now and have left their relegation worries behind. They haven't managed it and are a place and point better than us. Leroy Lita might have been scoring but they are still conceding plenty. Swansea have been well-organised and are trying to play football. They could nick this.
Prediction; 1-2
It will be interesting to see how many of the 6,000 Clarets who made the trip to West london on Tuesday night will be back again for this one - no more than 600 I guess. Rangers' home form has propelled them to 7th in the table and they be desperate to out-do Chelsea by beating Burnley here.
Prediction; 2-0
Hum-dinger in prospect here. Fourth versus third. United defending their unbeaten home record against a Reading side who have the firepower to win if they are on song. Both sides would probably settle for a point.
Prediction; 1-1
Car-crash on the South Coast. Looks like the strongest away win of the day and it should keep us out of the drop zone.
Prediction; 1-3
Lancs derby for the cameras on Sunday. I don't think I managed to call one of the Blackpool v Preston v Burnley games right all last year. Current form might fancy Preston here but I'll take the draw.
Prediction; 1-1
Whatever happens, the physical Sheffield United will present a big obstacle next week. Anything at Birmingham would be a huge boost and relieve some of the pressure. Here's hoping....
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