Oldham Athletic v Hartlepool United
First of two Friday evening matches and the Latics will be desperate to avenge their last home outing, a 2-1 defeat by Accrington Stanley in the JPT. Oldham have only played two at home in the league and have drawn them both, whereas the Pools are undefeated away from home with a win and a draw. I can't see many goals in this one.
Prediction; 1-0
Southend United v Leyton Orient
The other Friday evening game and interestingly, Southend have drawn both of their home games so far and the O's are unbeaten away with a win and draw. The difference here is that I can see goals and will go for a draw.
Prediction; 2-2
Brighton & Hove Albion v Wycombe Wanderers
An early-season bottom-of-the-table dogfight here. Brighton have lost both home games so far and Wycombe have lost both of their aways. Something's got to give and if Wycombe can battle like they did in the second-half at the Valley, then I'll take them to edge it.
Prediction; 1-2
Bristol Rovers v Millwall
Not a good week for Millwall and the trip to Bristol promises to provide another test. Rovers are two places above the Lions in 7th and I think this might be too close to call.
Prediction; 1-1
Carlisle United v Tranmere Rovers
The Borderers have been beaten twice at home in the league so far but Tranmere have lost both of their aways. Something of a pattern so far in this league. John Barnes doesn't appear to have had any positive affect on Tranmere since taking over and I wonder if his appointment with Jason McAteer is looking like an expensive gamble. A few more defeats and Barnes might be an embarrassing early-season managerial casualty.
Prediction; 2-0
Charlton Athletic v Brentford
A-ha, the main event and the early day live appetiser for the footballing nation. Brentford were amongst the Bookmakers pre-season favourites to do well this year and they arrive unbeaten at the Valley having won one and drawn two at home and won one and drawn one away. No winning run goes on for too long and we will face a set-back in due course but I don't see it coming on Saturday. Confidence should be sky-high and it's about time we put on a power show at home. I am going to stick my neck out here and suggest that we might win this at a canter.
Prediction; 3-1
Gillingham v Exeter City
The Gills have started more slowly than I had expected, but to be fair, they are newly promoted and are still probably coming to terms with League One. they look to have plenty of firepower and the Canadian Simeon Jackson is attracting a lot of admiring glances and is probably the reason why Chris Dickson is still at Charlton. The Gills let me down on a £354 accumulator a couple of weeks ago by losing at home but I expect them to make good here.
Prediction; 2-0
Leeds United v Stockport County
Like us, Leeds' 100% start won't last for too much longer, but they won't fear Stockport at Elland Road. Like Charlton this week, they not only held onto their best player in the arrogant Jermaine Beckford, but they also strengthened in signing Leigh Bromby on a permanent basis as well as South African striker Davide Somma. I can see Beckford notching a couple here to remind everyone who's star of the show.
Prediction; 3-0
MK Dons v Huddersfield Town
Third versus fourth in action here and MK Dons defend an unbeaten record. Town are experiencing something of a revival under Lee Clark but should find this encounter with Paul Ince's rejuvenated MK Dons a good match. A draw would suit us.
Prediction; 1-1
Norwich City v Walsall
The Canaries appear to have recovered remarkably well from their opening day seven goal humiliation by Colchester United. The hasty appointment of Colchester's then manager, Paul Lambert, might account for that as they have been free-scoring since then. They will expect to beat Walsall and I can't see this as anything other than a routine home win.
Prediction; 2-0
Southampton v Colchester United
This is probably the game I would want to be at most if I wasn't at the Valley (or Hampden Park). Alan Pardew will be feeling the heat having only managed three draws so far. He brought in Radhi Jaidi on Tuesday but his international clearance could delay his appearance here. Irrespective, Colchester will be out to impress new boss Aidy Boothroyd and I can see the saints travelling to the Valley fortress next week still seeking their first win of the season. Ten points is a big deficit to make up when you are only managing draws Alan.
Prediction; 1-1
Yeovil Town v Swindon Town
A west country affair here and both sides have started well enough. I will go with the slope to give home advanatge here.
Prediction; 1-0
No comments:
Post a Comment
Go on, you know you want to....