League One Weekend Preview, Game 35

I'm looking forward to Saturday's match with Stockport which I expect us to win irrespective of how we play. Having ground out the points at Southend and seen some of our play-off rivals splutter in the meantime, we should be confident of seeing off a club who are in Administration and heading for League Two. Whilst I am not predicting a goal-rush, anything positive should improve our goal-difference over Huddersfield who fell behind us after conceding five last night.
Another win here will set us up for a crack at Millwall who face two tricky away matches at Walsall and Carlisle before they entertain us next Saturday. 


Charlton Athletic v Stockport County
Home win for the Addicks and an overdue clean sheet. It might necessarily be pretty but we have to have too much for Stockport who average less than a goal-a-game away from home. Reid and Sam must be supported in midfield and encouraged to attack so we can create the chances for whoever is playing up top.
Prediction; 2-0


Exeter City v Oldham Athletic
Surprisingly, this fixture is now a basement six-pointer. I don't believe either of these sides will go down but exeter need the win more than Oldham who have a couple of games in hand on the rest.
Prediction; 2-1


Gillingham v Huddersfield Town
A contest in prospect at the Priestfield. After their mauling at Southampton on Tuesday, Huddersfield will probably be desperate to keep things close and may play for the point. Jackson and Dickson could hold the key to the game.
Prediction; 1-0


Hartlepool United v Southend United
Southend's dalliance with the trapdoor places continues and they might find themselves occupying one of them come 5pm on Saturday. Bad luck or not, the table doesn't lie at this stage of the season and whilst they probably don't deserve to go down, they need to do something about it sooner rather than later.
Prediction; 2-1


Leeds United v Brentford
Like us, in spite of their recent wobbles, Leeds find themselves hanging on to their placing and with the prospect of actually improving the gap over the chasers. Can't see the Bees being up for this enough to get anywhere close to a result.
Prediction; 2-0


MK Dons v Leyton Orient
MK have lost their last two whilst the O's have drawn theirs. Neither side look in danger of actually doing anything this season, so I expect a close affair here. Home advantage might tell.
prediction; 1-0


Norwich City v Yeovil Town
The Holt and Hoolahan Show rumbles on in Norfolk this weekend as Norwich count down on mathematical promotion. After their last match of last season at the Valley and their first of this season at Carrow Road, nothing looked less likely, so all credit to Paul Lambert who might find himself heading for a promotion of his own to a bigger club come the close season.
Prediction; 2-0


Swindon Town v Bristol Rovers
A 1pm kick-off this, presumably to limit the potential for it all kicking off between these West country rivals. Rovers might just do us a favour here although a draw is probably as much as we can hope for.
Prediction; 1-1


Tranmere Rovers v Southampton
Tranmere have hauled themselves out of the drop zone and have relied upon seven home wins this season to do it. Southampton arrive full of confidence and playing without any pressure of expectation just yet. Should be enough to maintain their charge to the fringes of the play-offs where I think they will finish.
Prediction; 1-3


Walsall v Millwall
As I have already said, a tricky week for Millwall and one which could be make-or-break. Two results on the road and they return to the Valley knowing that a win against derby bottlers Charlton, could see them climb above us. Trouble is, that Wycombe defeat lingers and they might not get the result they hope for at Walsall. Carlisle is a long midweek trip and they could well find themselves running out next week under more pressure than they would like.
Prediction; 1-1


Wycombe Wanderers v Carlisle United
Doesn't get the blood going this one. Wycombe should have more motivation here and might need the rub of the green to see off Carlisle but I'll take them for the points.
Prediction; 2-1