League One Weekend Preview, Game 38

Luke Varney sent a reminder to all Charlton fans of the player he could have been for us with another vital goal for Sheffield Wednesday. The 89th minute winner lifts Wednesday three points clear of Crystal Palace in the relegation zone. Palace have to go to Wednesday for one of their last games when Luke will get the chance to formally join the ranks of Addicks heroes. You know, Kitson, Rommedahl, Claridge, Fortune etc.


Meanwhile, back on Planet Grind, our struggling Addicks face an uphill task in Yorkshire this weekend against Huddersfield Town, the side most likely to join the current play-off place-holders if they can make-up the three-point gap on Colchester or the six points to us and Swindon.


As I have already said, it looks too tall an order to me for a team short on confidence and struggling with injuries. Once again, we may have to hope other results  go our way. Here's who's playing whom...


Brentford v Leyton Orient
The Bees have managed to avoid defeat in all but two home games this season and should do so again here.
Prediction; 2-1


Brighton & Hove Albion v Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere have been one of my relegation tips all season and whilst they have fought their way out of the bottom three , they hover precariously close and their away form is good enough to ensure they go down. Brighton are improving under Gus Poyet and could be challenging next year.
Prediction; 2-0


Bristol Rovers v Southend United
Southend are one of the sides desperately trying to catch Tranmere in a bid to stay in League One. My money would be on them joining Tranmere in League Two next season and this looks like a fruitless trip.
Prediction; 2-0


Colchester United v Wycombe Wanderers
Second of what should have been two slam dunk home wins for Colchester. Screw this and they could find themselves seventh come 5pm. Wycombe, however, look resigned to relegation, so unless they have already accepted their fate and play with gay abandon, it looks like another defeat.
Prediction; 2-1


Exeter City v Walsall
Big game for the Grecians. A home win here against a mid-table Walsall should see them move out of the relegation places. I can see them doing it and winning their battle to stay up.
Prediction; 2-0


Gillingham v MK Dons
MK Dons look like they have left it too late to join the party as they sit 8 points off sixth-placed Colchester. The Gills need the points to avoid being sucked down and this is a very winnable game for them. It might also see a collapse in confidence for MK just before we visit next week which would be no bad thing.
Prediction. 2-0


Hartlepool United v Swindon Town
Tough game for Swindon but one they can win if they put in the performance that won at Southampton and drew with Norwich in their last two. I am hopeful that Hartlepool can upset the odds but a point may be as much as they can take here.
Prediction; 1-1


Huddersfield Town v Charlton Athletic
We won there 30 years ago when we climbed out of this division at the first attempt. It was 1-0 victory against the odds and the same again would be brilliant. History does tend to repeat itself, but it's hard to see it here given their rock solid home form and our current problems. Expect more excuses from Parkinson and Bank Holiday Monday's home game against Carlisle becomes an absolute must-win.
Prediction; 2-0


Millwall v Stockport County
The division's banker here. I'm guessing Stockport will be 6-1 or 7-1 and 10-1 wouldn't be enough for me at the moment. It's really a four pointer for Millwall as they can notch a few goals to improve their best-in-class goal difference.
Prediction; 3-0


Norwich City v Leeds United
Who would have thought five or six weeks ago that this fixture would look like a routine home win? Leeds' annual implosion look like happening for the third consecutive season. can you imagine another two seasons of close failure for us? By the time they run out against Swindon Town at Elland Road next Saturday, I expect them to be in third place (Millwall are at home to Brentford on Good Friday).
Prediction; 2-0


I am off to Legoland (Windsor) for the weekend where I hope my kids will keep me suitably distracted to minimise the pain of what I expect will be another difficult weekend set of results for us to bear.