League One Midweek Preview, Game 19

Weekends where we don't play can be right washouts and this one was no exception. Listening to other clubs performances and results in the F A Cup brings only passing interest, even if I was delighted to see Millwall earn themselves another game having drawn with the massive town of Staines. They also have another injury crisis looming which bodes well for 19th December. Tomorrow evening's opponents Brighton were also given a tough match at home by Rushden & Diamonds and they needed a late winner to edge it 3-2. Darren Ambrose reliably put a downer on proceedings by scoring again as Palace beat Watford convincingly at home in front of 14,085 fans. It's high time Ambrose was drug-tested as there must be an explanation; Neil Warnock may have some powers of motivation but the transformation is simply too great and I suspect a performance enhancing cocktail of rocket fuel.

I also spent much of yesterday at the old Royal Arsenal Sports and Recreation Association down in Abbey Wood tucked away behind the prison and those huge new grey warehouses. The occasion was a benefit game for an old mate who has been off work for a few months following a fall from poorly erected scaffolding. His old Abbey Rangers side did him proud in the lashing rain and there was an excellent clubhouse attendance. The irony of the borrowed strip sporting the name of a scaffolding firm was lost on no-one.

So, attentions turn now to tomorrow night when the 800 descend on the Withdean for our first league match at the former running track.Another soaking in prospect too but hopes are high that we will win away from home for the first time since August. We really do need to turn the screw here if we are to have any chance of beginning to open the gap to third. With a run of very winnable games ahead, this really is our big opportunity.

Brentford v Colchester United

Both of these sides won 1-0 in the cup on Saturday, Brentford at home to Walsall and Colchester away at Hereford. league form favours the Essex side but I am going for the Bees to cause a mini-upset.

Prediction; 2-1

Brighton & Hove Albion v Charlton Athletic

If we are going to go up this year, we have to match the results of our rivals and most appear to win here. Six home defeats tells it's own story. We need a strong start and the first goal and we are due a bit of good fortune away from SE7. Parky must be bold and play 4-4-2 now that we have Mooney and Sodje to help Burton play it. I am praying it stays dry for those uncovered seats.

Prediction;0-2

Bristol Rovers v Exeter City

The Grecians went down 4-3 at MK Dons on Saturday but will head to Bristol on Tuesday hoping to spoil the party. Rovers fans appeared pre-occupied with this fixture when they came to the Valley and I suspect it means more to them than it does their Devonian neighbours. Rovers didn't look like much of a side at the Valley, particularly in the first-half and Exeter might well find they are playing a side with pressure on themselves.

Prediction; 1-2

Carlisle United v Hartlepool

The Cumbrians had a fine 3-1 win over Norwich on Saturday which makes our reversal up there a little easier to swallow. After a poor start, a win here will see them match Hartlepool's 23 points and I see no reason why they can't win again.

Prediction; 2-0

Huddersfield Town v Tranmere Rovers

It's looking grim for Tranmere. They were held 0-0 at home by Aldershot on Saturday and have lost eight on the road so far. Huddersfield's unbeaten home form matches our own and they will surely make short work of this.

Prediction; 3-0

Leyton Orient v Gillingham

The Gills squeaked past Burton Albion in the Cup to earn a winnable third round tie against Accrington Stanley or Barnet. I hope they don't take their eye off the league because away from home they are relegation candidates.

Prediction; 2-0

Millwall v MK Dons

A draw would be ideal here and it looks odds-on to me. Millwall are missing key players and the injury list is swelling.MK are scoring and shipping goals in equal measure, so anything's possible here.

Prediction; 2-2

Oldham Athletic v Leeds United

Hard to see Leeds leaving Boundary Park empty handed but the Lancastrians always have a little more to play with when they face their arrogant Yorkie neighbours. Hopefully there will not be another late Leeds winner.

Prediction; 1-1

Southampton v Wycombe Wanderers

Wycombe could actually leap-frog Southampton in the relegation basement with a win here but I think it's asking too much. Saints have been playing much better of late and scoring goals. Lallana seems to score every week and I can see his name appearing again tomorrow evening.

Prediction; 2-0

Southend United v Norwich City

Oh dear! Hard on the heels of defeat at Carlisle, Norwich face another tough road trip at Southend. The Shrimpers can be mean hosts and I suspect Norwich is a highly-prized scalp in east Essex. I suspect City will do better than their showing on Saturday but it might only be good enough for a share of the points.

Prediction; 1-1

Stockport County v Swindon Town

Swindon have been quietly going about their business this season winning twice as many games as they have lost. They will fancy the job here against a side who have won only once at home.

Prediction; 0-1

Yeovil Town v Walsall

Not a particularly attractive fixture in prospect here, especially if the rains that are lashing the capital at the moment persist down Yeovil way. I can't see too many fans from the Midlands making this journey either, although I guess the M5 might make this more accessible than I might think? Got to go with the home win here.

Prediction; 2-1