Just three Saturdays left this season before probable added time of the play-offs. The battle for second place continues and we can expect more place-swapping in the chase.
Brentford v Yeovil Town
After a shaky start, Brentford have proven themselves very hard to beat at Griffin Park. Two defeats in 21 home games tells you the story and they will be confident of beating Yeovil who will be relying on seeing off Oldham at home next week to secure their League One status.
Prediction; 2-0
Brighton & Hove Albion v Bristol Rovers
Tenth play ninth here and Brighton continue their gradual improvement under Gus Poyet. I fancy Brighton to win their sixth home match of the year.
Prediction; 2-0
Tenth play ninth here and Brighton continue their gradual improvement under Gus Poyet. I fancy Brighton to win their sixth home match of the year.
Prediction; 2-0
Colchester United v Tranmere Rovers
It's looks a matter of time before Colchester's disappointing tail-off to the season is confirmed and they miss out on the play-offs. A win for Huddersfield at Stockport will effectively shut the door on the U's irrespective of the score in this one. Tranmere have won only twice away all season and they won't do it here.
Prediction; 3-0
It's looks a matter of time before Colchester's disappointing tail-off to the season is confirmed and they miss out on the play-offs. A win for Huddersfield at Stockport will effectively shut the door on the U's irrespective of the score in this one. Tranmere have won only twice away all season and they won't do it here.
Prediction; 3-0
Exeter City v Charlton Athletic
Anything other than a win for the Addicks will likely rule automatic promotion out on goal difference as I expect Leeds to win at Elland Road. Exeter have been hard to beat at home and have only been beaten there four times this season. They have the added incentive of having to maintain their slender two point lead over fourth-bottom Tranmere and I can see the Grecians breaking our hearts (for now). One good omen may be that we haven't been beaten away at any of the bottom 11 sides.
Prediction; 2-1
Anything other than a win for the Addicks will likely rule automatic promotion out on goal difference as I expect Leeds to win at Elland Road. Exeter have been hard to beat at home and have only been beaten there four times this season. They have the added incentive of having to maintain their slender two point lead over fourth-bottom Tranmere and I can see the Grecians breaking our hearts (for now). One good omen may be that we haven't been beaten away at any of the bottom 11 sides.
Prediction; 2-1
Leeds United v MK Dons
Leeds may be coughing and spluttering but surely a rudderless MK Dons won't upset the apple-cart. Having been beaten 3-2 at home by Wycombe last week I can see a capitulation on the cards here.
Prediction; 3-0
Leeds may be coughing and spluttering but surely a rudderless MK Dons won't upset the apple-cart. Having been beaten 3-2 at home by Wycombe last week I can see a capitulation on the cards here.
Prediction; 3-0
Millwall v Leyton Orient
Should be routine for Millwall but that's just the sort of fixture they screw-up. The O's still need another win but they will probably be concentrating on Wycombe at home.
Prediction; 2-0
Should be routine for Millwall but that's just the sort of fixture they screw-up. The O's still need another win but they will probably be concentrating on Wycombe at home.
Prediction; 2-0
Norwich City v Gillingham
This is the fixture that Norwich should really have kept to get promoted in. As it is, they will clinch the title here as their procession nears it's end. Gllingham must be close to 10-1 on the coupon this week to upset the odds. Don't even think about it.
Prediction; 4-0
This is the fixture that Norwich should really have kept to get promoted in. As it is, they will clinch the title here as their procession nears it's end. Gllingham must be close to 10-1 on the coupon this week to upset the odds. Don't even think about it.
Prediction; 4-0
Oldham Athletic v Southend United
Oldham were the toast of envious penniless League One clubs last night as they fought for an impressive draw at St Mary's and hammered another nail in Pardew's play-off ambitions. They must be confident of scoring here and relegating Southend.
Prediction; 2-0
Oldham were the toast of envious penniless League One clubs last night as they fought for an impressive draw at St Mary's and hammered another nail in Pardew's play-off ambitions. They must be confident of scoring here and relegating Southend.
Prediction; 2-0
Southampton v Carlisle United
Saints look like finishing seventh this season which will be a justification of the ten point penalty they received at the end of last season following their Administration. They will be installed as close favourites for promotion next year, a position Alan Pardew has messed-up in the past.
Prediction; 2-0
Saints look like finishing seventh this season which will be a justification of the ten point penalty they received at the end of last season following their Administration. They will be installed as close favourites for promotion next year, a position Alan Pardew has messed-up in the past.
Prediction; 2-0
Stockport County v Huddersfield Town
You can usually rely upon the lost causes to start upsetting the odds at this point of the season. Stockport, however, have so many problems to contend with that another home defeat here won't make much difference one way or the other.
Prediction; 0-2
You can usually rely upon the lost causes to start upsetting the odds at this point of the season. Stockport, however, have so many problems to contend with that another home defeat here won't make much difference one way or the other.
Prediction; 0-2
Walsall v Hartlepool United
Mid-table drudgery. I'll go with home advantage.
Prediction; 1-0
Mid-table drudgery. I'll go with home advantage.
Prediction; 1-0
Wycombe Wanderers v Swindon Town
Wycombe rallied last week at MK Dons but they may have left it too late. Five points behind Exeter and six from Gillingham, they simply have to win. Swindon are safely installed in the play-offs but know that a victory here with Brentford to come at home would give them every chance of a dramatic last day promotion at the New Den. That incentive could just be sufficient to fire them to victory at Adams Park.
Prediction; 1-2
Wycombe rallied last week at MK Dons but they may have left it too late. Five points behind Exeter and six from Gillingham, they simply have to win. Swindon are safely installed in the play-offs but know that a victory here with Brentford to come at home would give them every chance of a dramatic last day promotion at the New Den. That incentive could just be sufficient to fire them to victory at Adams Park.
Prediction; 1-2
I can't see us losing this weekend, Dave, but I think a draw is more likely, which, as we all know, is unlikely to prove good enough for a continued automatic promotion challenge (I agree, Millwall and Leeds look nailed-on wins). I'm taking the view that we face the roller-coaster ride of the Play-Off's - and even that is welcome given the doubts surrounding the poor form of the team in the not-so-distant past - but if fate deals us a decent hand this weekend, I'll happily continue dreaming of a more glorious route back to the Championship.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're right Hungry Ted, although a draw may be as bad as a defeat if other results go against us. Momentum is probably as important as anything else right now, so a decent performance like last week is paramount.
ReplyDelete