League One Midweek Preview, Game 18

I have been suffering with the post-Yeovil sniffles for 24 hours and full-blown man flu is in the offing. Hopefully it will turn out to be Swine Flu which will make the epic Yeovil trip even more memorable. Before that, however, I will be at the Valley tomorrow night for what is promising to be another strong Charlton performance and a convincing result that the elements can't deny us.

There is a full League One programme tomorrow ahead of the F A Cup weekend for those clubs who's players bother to compete in it - here's who's playing whom tomorrow and my take on events....

Charlton Athletic v Bristol Rovers

Rovers have rallied in recent weeks after a dip in form and they saw off the Gills in Bristol on Saturday in conditions not too dissimilar to those in Yeovil although the Gills fans had the benefit of a roof. Chris Dickson can't play in this one, so we might have a psychological advantage as we start. Irrespective, if we can repeat the energy and focus of the last two outings I think we will be too strong for Rovers. They have been all or nothing on their travels so far this season, so I am hoping we can keep it that way and take the points which should help cement our second -place berth, at least until we return to the Valley after next Monday's visit to Brighton.
Prediction; 3-1

Colchester United v Stockport County
County are in the drop zone although they have only been beaten three times away from home. They lost at Edgeley Road to Exeter on Saturday and this looks like the proverbial mountain to me. Colchester will want to make-up for the two goals they conceded to Oldham having established a two-goal lead and I'll take them to make quick work of it here.
Prediction; 3-0

Exeter City v Millwall
Shock result of the weekend was Millwall losing at home to bottom-placed Wycombe. This has been a Millwall weakness in recent seasons and Exeter away is not the fixture you would choose in which to attempt to bounce back. The Grecians will be strong at home after winning at Stockport and it could be two in-a-row for the Lions. Perfect preparation for the 19th December if they can keep it going.
Prediction; 2-1

Gillingham v Yeovil Town
Probably harsh to judge Yeovil based on the conditions but they didn't look much on Saturday and I am convinced we would have run out comfortable winners under normal atmospheric conditions. They haven't travelled well this season and I can't see them adding any points to their tally here.
Prediction; 2-0

Hartlepool v Southampton
The fixture computer can be cruel. Remember our Boxing Day trip to Newcastle? Well the Saints have drawn a stinker here and only the die-hards will make the journey for this. After rallying in recent weeks, Alan Pardew mentioned the play-offs and results immediately nose-dived. Southampton are probably too good to go down but they remain in the zone and are four points adrift of safety. Hartlepool might just have enough here.
Prediction; 2-1

Leeds United v Leyton Orient
Come on the O's! Someone's got to halt the runaway train. With five straight wins, Leeds are threatening to open an unassailable gap. Carlisle and Norwich have both come close to winning at Elland Road under floodlights and we have to hope that the O's can go one better - they don't have much to lose...
Prediction; 2-1

MK Dons v Carlisle United
A defeat here would signal a crisis of confidence for MK Dons after going down at Southend on Friday night. Carlisle can be stubborn although I'll take Paul Ince's boys to break them down eventually.
Prediction; 2-0

Norwich City v Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton rolled over at Leeds last time out as Norwich were fighting back against the Saints at St Mary's. I can't seen beyond a convincing Norwich win here which might put us under a tad more pressure when we visit Gus Poyet's boys' next week.
Prediction; 3-0

Swindon Town v Huddersfield Town
Swindon are fighting to stay in touch with the play-off places and they recorded a fine 1-0 win at Carlisle on Saturday. Huddersfield came from one behind to beat Hartlepool but this will be tougher yet. A point might be the best both sides can expect.
Prediction; 1-1

Tranmere Rovers v Southend United
Tranmere look doomed to me and a defeat here against a combative Southend might force the board into making a permanent managerial appointment.
Prediction; 0-1

Walsall v Oldham Athletic
Walsall are in tenth and they have only lost once at home so far. Oldham have only lost three away from Boundary Park and they might have ambitions of another point here.
Prediction; 1-1

Wycombe Wanderers v Brentford
A West-of-London derby and the Chairboys will be cock-a-hoop after winning their first away match of the season at the New Den. Could be time to record back-ti-back wins and only their second home win.
Prediction; 2-1