League One Weekend preview, Game 34

Amazingly, we get the chance tomorrow evening to go third in the table again. It may be fleeting and it may be the last chance we get this season. Should we fail to win, then we face the prospect of ending Saturday in sixth, two points clear of Millwall who will have a game in hand. Following the disastrous sequence of results on Tuesday evening, this would be the final realisation that we have blown our automatic promotion hopes after six months of effort and that we face an almighty battle with weary looking troops to claim a play-off spot. Failure would almost certainly be a coup-de-grace as far as the short-to-medium term future of our club is concerned.


Southend United v Charlton Athletic
The Shrimpers haven't won any of their last 8 league games and none of the last four at home. It's a sequence that has dropped them to the fringe of the relegation zone. They might not be the feisty opposition they proved at the Valley in December, but we aren't exactly the same side either. I will be in Rome when the match kicks-off tomorrow night, so will switch Twitter on for blow-by-blow updates. I am expecting nothing.
Prediction; 2-0


Brentford v Tranmere Rovers
The Bees are firmly mid-table with only their pride to play for. Even that might be enough to see off Tranmere who might be breathing easy having scrambled out of the bottom four.
Prediction; 2-1


Brighton & Hove Albion v Exeter City
Brighton played some lovely pass and move football on Tuesday and their work-rate was typical of a top side, not a struggler. Their deserved win has lifted them out of the doldrums and with wind in their sails, they might even be confident of winning only their third home match of the season. 
Prediction; 2-0


Bristol Rovers v Colchester United
Hard-fought game in prospect here and Colchester have found some form at the right time. The Pirates, however, are all-or-nothing at home and I can see them claiming three points here.
Prediction; 2-1


Carlisle United v Gillingham
Comfortable home win for me. The Gills are shocking away from home and not even Chris Dickson should be enough to make the dramatic change of belief required away from the Priestfield. Just think, 30 points at home and only 4 away? I am guessing there will be less than a 100 visiting fans tomorrow?
Prediction; 3-0


Huddersfield Town v Leeds United
Fierce physical contest here with plenty of heat in the stands. The Terriers defend the only unbeaten home record in the division and I can't see Leeds breaching it, although they may put up more of a fight here than they have in some of their more recent matches. Leeds might need to score first to get a point.
Prediction; 1-1


Leyton Orient v Swindon Town
Could be a decent game this. The O's should be able to play with some confidence at home and if they have a go, then they are capable of halting Swindon's impressive recent form. Danny Wilson, however, looks to have got his side fully focused on the task and with a game of two in hand, will be looking very closely at the outside chances of automatic promotion themselves. 
Prediction; 1-2


Millwall v Hartlepool
Routine home win for the Lions who got a very impressive win at MK Dons in the week. Automatic promotion is beyond them but they won't fear the play-offs like most of the other candidates, having made the final last year. They are not always impressive at home but are usually pretty effective.
Prediction; 2-0


Oldham Athletic v Norwich City
I can pretty much guarantee what will happen in this match. Oldham will take the lead before half-time and Norwich will score mid-way through the second-half and then get a winner in the closing stages. Easy eh? 
Prediction; 1-2


Southampton v Walsall
Southampton are up to eleventh and face ninth-placed Walsall here in match of little consequence. Saints will be warm favourites but Walsall are something of spoilers and I'll stick my neck out and take them to get something here.
Prediction; 1-1


Stockport County v Wycombe Wanderers
Given the state of their finances, Stockport would settle for being a League Two side next season. Wycombe might well be joining them next season and this is the easiest away fixture they have left in which to pick up points. I'll take them to have the greater motivation;
Prediction; 0-1


Yeovil Town v MK Dons
Only Leeds and Norwich have won more away games than MK Dons this season - them we put five past in December! They will have been stung by the home defeat to Millwall and might bounce back here against a Yeovil side with less incentive.
Predictive; 0-2