Midweek Championship Preview, Game 35

A bit late in looking at the fixtures this week. Maybe busier at work but probably apathy getting the better of me. The results from Saturday were so unpredictable and heart-breaking that I am taking a different view on the games being played this evening and tomorrow.

Blackpool v Burnley

The Clarets are maiking a fine job of messing up what should have been a glorious season for them. Arsenal should end the second of their two excellent cup runs (just imagine) and this might have cost them promotion as they have slipped out the play-off spots. It's a tense local affair and "B'pool" might just get to stick the knife in.

Prediction; 2-1

Cardiff City v Barnsley

Surely this is a cert home win? Barnsley can limp over the line from here and Cardiff have two or three games in hand on their play-off rivals which could catapult them into automatic contention. Cardiff too strong.

Prediction; 2-0

Charlton Athletic v Doncaster Rovers

We have to win this game and I am going to go for us to shade it with a proviso. We must play 4-4-2 and we need to get a goal from one of the front men. I think Donny will have a goal in them and I think we have a goal from midfield but we can't keep relying on them and it's high time our forwards weighed in. It would be really good to see Chris Dickson scoring but I don't care if Burton or Kandol get one,  although I don't rate either of them. Our only double of the season?

Prediction; 2-1

Crystal Palace v Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wolves are clearly following the Charlton Athletic Guide to Screwing Up a Championship Lead. Expect them to get beaten by falling Palace, who have inexplicably allowed us to take Danny Butterfield from their side for the rest of the season. I haven't had a chnace to gauge the reaction of Palace fans to this but I am guessing they won't be happy about it.

Prediction; 2-1

Derby County v Swansea City

The Swans will still have play-off ambitions but if they keep dropping points that won't last much longer. Derby are safe but should be good enough here for at least a point.

Prediction; 1-1

Ipswich Town v Southampton

Ipswich have lingering play-off hopes but they face a resurgent Southampton side who have won two-in-a-row. It could just be their death rattle,  but I'll go with the Saints to make it nine points out of nine and undermine our result.

Prediction; 1-2

Nottingham Forest v Preston NE

Yep, another fixture similar to the Ipswich v Southampton game. Forest won well at Reading on Saturday and they should be up for this one. Preston's away form has been poor and has cost them a safe play-off place.

Prediction; 2-0

Plymouth Argyle v Watford

Both of these sides are on 39 points but Watford have two games in hand on Argyle, so I guess we should wish them well down there on the basis that Plymouth have been very poor recently and look like one of the more catchable outfits. Having said that, their win at Wolves on Saturday will have given them belief. Maybe a draw is the most predictable outcome here.

Prediction; 0-0

QPR v Norwich City

Norwich looked like one of the poorest sides we've played this year on the three occasions we faced them. Bryan Gunn's magic touch wore off after the 4-0 opening game and they are really in trouble. I don't expect any upsets here even if QPR look to have blown it for another year.

Prediction; 2-0

Sheffield Wednesday v Reading

Based on recent results, this should be a comfortable home win. Reading are stuttering badly and with those around them all losing too, they can be forgiven for complacency. I can see them having a good go this evening but still being edged out.

Prediction; 3-2

Birmingham City v Bristol City 

One of tomorrow, games. Things must be bad at Birmingham right now to feel the need to bring in Useless de la Cruz who wasn't even acceptable to the Addicks and we've  loaned anyone with a pulse this year. City are finishing strongly once again and another upset could be on the cards. Birmingham's fickle following could be on their sides backs within half an hour if City take the game to them.

Prediction; 0-2

Coventry City v Sheffield United

The other of tomorrow's matches. City won at Carrow Road on Saturday but that doesn't take much doing right now. They will face a revitalised Sheffield United who can see the finishing line and have a bit more to play for.

Prediction; 0-1