Hi Scorers!
I think it's time to have a crack at Saturday's games, don't you?
Barnsley vs. Millwall
With Millwall, I think it was an important psychological boost to beat Dagenham and Redbridge 5-0 in midweek, after their woeful display in their 6-0 defeat to Birmingham (no-one was sadder than me). Especially with Henderson scoring a hatrick, we should see the regular Millwall from now on- by which I mean they'll only get one man sent off and some of their fans'll prefer to watch the game rather than brawl. As for Barnsley, they've lost their last three games since their 4-1 win over Leeds on New Years Eve and will need to get back to winning ways. I've got a feeling they might.
Verdict- 3-1
Birmingham vs. Watford
I'm going to this one and I can see us putting a few past Watford tommorrow afternoon. I think we'll be buoyed by our 6-0 at Millwall and derby win. We can now score a few goals and haven't conceded in 3 games, plus the last time we conceded more than one goal was away at Blackpool in late November. As for Watford, I've got confidence that they'll stay up- Sean Dyche is a good manager but I'm thinking we'll have too much for them in the end.
Verdict- 4-1
Blackpool vs. Crystal Palace
4pts from their last two league games and emphatic progression to the 4th round of the FA Cup over neighbours Fleetwood wasn't a bad start to the new year for Ian Holloway's side. Unbeaten at home since October, I can see Blackpool beating a Crystal Palace team sitting in midtable, with more than half an eye on reaching the Carling Cup final. I'm going to go with Blackpool.
Verdict- 2-0
Bristol City vs. Doncaster
I don't think I can talk about this game without crediting Derek McInness. He has done a marvellous job motivating the team to battle their way out of the relegation zone, and even begin to climb the table. Over the past three months, I have seen the confidence within the team soar to new heights- 20pts from his first 14 Championship games in charge proves this- great work. As for Doncaster, when they want to they can pull together and produce some impressive results, but fail to emulate Bristol City, who can do so on a more consistent basis. I think Doncaster will go down, mainly because of their poor defensive record- away from home, they have shipped 31 goals inside 13 games. But for Bristol City, a win would an important step to survival- given the tough games approaching them.
Verdict- 2-0
Burnley vs. Derby
I don't think I was the only one slightly surprised by Burnley's 2-0 win at the Riverside last week. After defeat at Leeds in the first game of the New Year, and an abrupt end to their FA Cup dreams when they played Norwich, Burnley went and beat 3rd place Middlesbrough in convincing fashion. If they can turn this positive result into a notable run of form, there's no reason why they can't make a play-off spot. As for Derby: they've put their November slump behind them, they've won their last 5 games in all competitions and are competing with the likes of Burnley to be the side that sneaks into the play-off place via the back door. They will need to swim across the pond in the back garden first, though, in the shape of Burnley.
Verdict- 1-1
Cardiff vs. Portsmouth
So far, it's been an opening month that's promised much, but has been ultimately disappointing for Cardiff City. They lost the opening leg of the Carling Cup semi-final to Crystal Palace, crashed out of the FA Cup in a 4-2 defeat to West Brom and have dropped a big 2pts at relegation bankers Doncaster. Victory at Nottingham Forest on New Year's Eve, followed by a win over fellow promotion contenders Reading 2 days later started 2012 well, but they will need to turn the tie round against Palace on Tuesday, and pick up their league form, to write this tricky period off. Cardiff might have chosen an better time to play Portsmouth, who put in a spirited performance against West Ham, have no cup distractions and have had an enjoyable December. With all the pressure on the Welsh outfit, I think they'll find goals hard to come by in a narrow win over Portsmouth.
Verdict- 1-0
Coventry vs. Middlesbrough
7pts from safety. A dodgy board. An attendance of 9,000 people at the last home game (33,000-seater stadium). More than most would be inclined to say- it's not looking good for Coventry City. For me, unless they produce an odds-defying run of results against the likes of Blackpool and Reading away, Leeds at home and Middlesbrough at the Ricoh today- a side who were knocked back somewhat by going without a league win in three matches- and two successive defeats to Blackpool and Burnley. If Coventry can capitalise on Middlesbrough's misery- rather than the oew ther way around- and then go on a good run, then who knows. But I just don't think it's likely and I can see the Boro coming back from an awkward Christmas and New Year period with a convincing 3pts at the Ricoh and leave Andy Thorn's side stranded at the foot of the table.
Verdict- 1-4
Leeds vs. Ipswich
On New Year's Eve, when Leed's lost 4-1 at Barnsley, I could have seen them slip into lower mid-table. However, 4pts from 2 potentially tricky league games has seen them, at least stay in the play-off picture. Thierry Henry's late goal for Arsenal in the FA Cup on his 2nd debut for the club being the only dampener in an otherwise (wet?) start to 2012 for the North Yorkshire club. As for Ipswich, they are without a win in 6 games and Paul Jewell's side will have a tough game- still presented with the task of hoisting the East Anglian club away from the relegation zone. I can see a routine win for Leeds.
Verdict- 2-0
Peterborough vs. Brighton
Right, it's Friday at 5 o'clock, I've just got 4 more games, then I can go out. In future, I should just paste the link for a match preview if I can't be bothered to write it! I'll stick it out. My 2 followers had better enjoy this.
Okay, Peterborough-Brighton. I think Peterborough could lack motivation for the remainder of this season. They're already well away from the relegation dogfight, which was their initial aim they're not going to snatch a play-off spot- I don't think- and have gone out of the FA Cup. For me, it's a case of entertaining the fans each week, and ensuring they don't go on a run of defeats- that might change my mind over their position regarding the 'R' word. For Brighton, they are only 4pts off the play-offs with some winnable games coming up, which they'll need to win if they want to pile the pressure on the likes of Reading and Hull, who currently occupy the last two play-off spots. If Brighton can join in that chase, it could make for an interesting conclusion to the season.
Verdict- 2-2
Reading vs. Hull
Two sides that I've just mentioned in Reading and Hull go head-to-head in a dog-eat-dog scenario. All teams up to about midtable will be hoping for a draw in this one. Reading left Watford toothless last week, as Adam Le Fondre's late goal completed a turnaround win for Brian McDermott's side, who were experiencing a tricky new year up to that point- he will be hoping that that result is a sign of things to come, given three very easy games- on paper- against Bristol City, Doncaster and Coventry after Saturday's visit of play-off rivals Hull City. The Yorkshire side's fans had to endure three 1-0 defeats over the Christmas and New Year period, but may be about to turn that disappointment around after progression in the FA Cup and a win over Peterborough last week. A big game of significance to more than the respective clubs involved.
Verdict- 1-1
West Ham vs. Nottingham Forest
Well, I think it's been an inconsistent Christmasy/New Yeary/whatever period for West Ham. Whilst they've won their last two league games, they've crashed out of the FA Cup to Wednesday, a side in a similar position to the Hammers in the Division below- dropped points at Birmingham and Derby still in their mind. Having said that, any Cup can be a distraction to a side gunning for promotion and I think now, West Ham can really give their all in the League- the Cup exit could be a blessing in disguise. As for Forest, I can't see where their next goal is going to come from. From their last 11 games, they have only scored in one match. I think it's a danger that they may deem themselves too good to go down- they're not. Trouble.
Verdict- 3-0
Southampton vs. Leicester
The two teams that will play each other on Saturday evening are both in the 'we've just trounced Nottingham Forest' club. Nigel Adkins has done well to ensure that their 3-0 defeat at Brighton- Saint's first game of the 2012- wasn't one carrying too much emphasis on the remainder of the season. The 3-0 reverse at the City Ground demonstrating true stickability and team spirit. For me, their home form is exceptional as well. As for Leicester, I've got a feeling that their 4-0 win over Forest in midweek could tire them out for this fixture- rather than a symbol for future progression. I can see a narrow Southampton win.
Verdict- 1-0
Right, there you go, that's me off to the local.
Cheers for reading-
Gabriel
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