This weekend, the key game comes in Saturday’s lunchtime
kick-off. Derby and Nottingham Forest need a win to boost confidence, as both
sides are hitting something of a goal drought. Charlton are looking to build on
a good start to Jose Riga’s reign, but they will have their work cut out
against 2nd-place Burnley. Bad boys Leeds and Millwall may not have
the friendliest of encounters, while relegation strugglers Yeovil and Barnsley
have winnable home games against Bolton and Bournemouth respectively.
Derby vs. Nottm Forest
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| Steve McClaren |
In terms of pride, this rivals
clash will mean everything to both sets of fans. In terms of points though, the
game bears more significance on Nottingham Forest’s fate. They are without a
win in seven, and facing a battle to hold onto their play-off place. Failure to
win in this early kick-off, would hand Reading and Brighton a chance to
leapfrog them. By contrast, local bragging rights will be the main motivating factor
for Derby. The Rams are ten points off the automatics, but seven points ahead
of those below the play-offs, so they are left with little to aim for. The
reverse fixture defeat back in September was arguably a blessing in disguise
for Derby, because it led to their change of manager, which has propelled them
to a promotion push. Both teams are struggling to score goals at the moment, so
this is bound to be a tightly-fought contest. 1-0.
Barnsley vs. Bournemouth
Each of the three goals Barnsley
conceded at Watford last week, came from them giving the ball away. They have
got to cut out these simple errors, because defensively, the likes of Ramage
and M’Voto have no turn of pace. Whenever Barnsley lose possession, their
players struggle to re-organize quickly enough. Bournemouth have shown that
they can keep the ball well this season. The Cherries were unfortunate to lose
at Charlton on Tuesday, and they are improving at the back, with some solid
performances from captain Steve Cook of late. Before the season started, you
would not have expected there to be a gap of twelve places between these two
sides. On paper they should be quite evenly-matched. 1-1.
Birmingham vs. Reading
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| Gareth McCleary |
After a poor run of form,
Birmingham could be bang in trouble. Having looked relatively comfortable for
most of the season, they may find themselves in the drop zone if they lose to
Reading here, and at relegation rivals Millwall on Tuesday night. Reading have
taken as many points away as they have at home this season, and could be buoyed
by the chance to climb back into the play-offs, if Nottingham Forest drop points
at Derby in the early game. Right winger Gareth McCleary has been Reading’s
main creative outlet this season, and he could have a good game against
Birmingham, who are struggling for left-backs at the moment. This could be a
ninth away win of the season for the Royals. 1-3.
Blackburn vs. Leicester
With such an unassailable lead,
in a way the challenge for Leicester will be to stay motivated. At this point,
there is potential for them to have one or two games where they take their eye
off the ball. It would only be natural for a few of the players to have their
minds on the implications of getting into the Premier League, rather than the
game in front of them. Jordan Rhodes looks as though he is rediscovering his
form for Blackburn, netting a clinical hat-trick at Huddersfield last week. He
is the kind of striker who, when playing with confidence, makes scoring goals
look easy. I’ve got a feeling Leicester will have a bit of an off-day here, and
Blackburn can end their sixteen game unbeaten run. 2-0.
Blackpool vs. Huddersfield
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| Ricardo Fuller |
If Blackpool do sign Robert
Earnshaw on a free transfer, that could turn out to be a decent piece of
business. Earnshaw has scored goals throughout his career, and at the moment,
Blackpool need an injection of finishing quality. Their top scorer is Ricardo
Fuller, and he has only netted five times. If you look at four of
Huddersfield’s last five results, you would not have guessed that they recently
beat Barnsley 5-0. The Terriers are on a poor run of form, and in the 4-2 loss
at home to Blackburn, they looked quite vulnerable through the middle. These
are two teams who are not playing with much confidence at the moment, and this
has the makings of a dull draw. 1-1.
Brighton vs. Ipswich
Brighton’s play-off prospects
have improved this March, because they have taken ten points from four tricky
games. The Seagulls could go above Nottingham Forest with a win this weekend,
and they have played one game less than Reading, a side above them on goal difference.
Ipswich have only scored six goals in their last eight games, and five of those
came from set pieces. That tells you a lot about their midfield. Ipswich do not
have enough players who are capable of breaking forward and chipping in with
goals. Lewis Dunk had an excellent game at centre-back for Brighton last week, while
Matthew Upson could return to the back four. I would fancy Brighton to pick up
a nineteenth clean sheet of the season, and grind out a win. 1-0.
Charlton vs. Burnley
 |
| Danny Ings |
Three clean sheets, and five
points from a possible nine, is a solid start to Jose Riga’s reign at Charlton.
They nicked a late goal on Tuesday to take all three points against
Bournemouth, and that result could give the Addicks some much-needed
confidence, before playing three of the top six. Burnley are still unbeaten since Boxing Day,
and came from behind to beat Leeds last week, despite the absence of top scorer
Danny Ings through injury. Ings deservedly won the Championship Player of the
Year award, but even with him out for a month, that is unlikely to cost the
Clarets. The opportunity is there for Ashley Barnes to prove himself at
Burnley, because he has not been given much of a chance so far. 1-1.
Doncaster vs. Sheff Wed
These are two teams who seem to
be climbing to safety, after looking in trouble for long spells of the season.
Doncaster added to back-to-back home wins with a well-earned point at
Nottingham Forest. Sheffield Wednesday meanwhile, have found their scoring
boots once more, having netted seven times in their last two games. The key
clash will be on Doncaster’s right side. Due to an injury to Bongani Khumalo,
right-back Paul Quinn has had to move to centre-back, meaning winger James
Coppinger has had to fill in at right-back. This could give Doncaster more of
an attacking threat on the right, but it could also leave them exposed. On
Wednesday’s left flank, you have the inside movement of Caolan Lavery and the
overlapping pace of Jeremy Helan, which can cause Doncaster problems. Expect a
high-scoring affair. 2-2.
Leeds vs. Millwall
 |
| Connor Wickham |
Millwall will have to cope
without the injured Danny Shittu in this one. He has not been great for them
this season, lacking pace at times, but the Lions will miss his height against
tall strikers Connor Wickham and Matt Smith. Leeds wingers Jimmy Kebe and
Cameron Stewart have not made much of an impact since arriving on loan. They
could be left out of the starting XI for a fourth successive game, and
McDermott’s plan may be to simply pump the ball into the box. Millwall have
only scored one goal in their last five, while Leeds have lost their last
three. This is unlikely to be a classic, but Leeds will put their ownership
situation aside to record a first win since early February. 2-0.
Middlesbrough vs. QPR
Just when he was getting game
time and building some form, Middlesbrough’s Mustapha Carayol has picked up a
long-term injury. Boro defended deeply for a point at Bournemouth, but with
Carayol out, you wonder if they will have enough to trouble QPR going forward. Not
that QPR’s defence is looking particularly strong at the moment. Surprisingly,
reserve goalkeeper Brian Murphy was selected at Sheffield Wednesday in midweek,
and he conceded three goals. In that match, centre-back Richard Dunne was sent
off, so he will miss this one through suspension. These are two teams who do
not have much to play for, so it could be a goalless draw at the Riverside.
0-0.
Wigan vs. Watford
 |
| Cristian Battochio |
In one of the most dramatic
climaxes to a game this season, Wigan dropped two points at home to Yeovil,
after a 3-3 thriller. They conceded two of their goals from being careless in
possession, but those kind of mistakes may not cost the Latics much in future,
just because they are scoring so many goals at the moment. Watford have taken
just two points from their last five away games, and the Hornets do not always
create enough on the road. And yet, at Vicarage Road, they have recently
thrashed Blackpool and Barnsley, and seen some improved performances from
Cristian Battochio. Wigan have more reliable attacking options in the squad
than the visitors, and Uwe Rosler will be able to make key changes if things
are not going to plan. 2-1.
Yeovil vs. Bolton
Away to Wigan, Yeovil showed the
kind of battling spirit that is typical of them this season. They refuse to lie
down, and could climb out of the drop zone this weekend with a win, though Charlton
have three games in hand. Bolton might need one more win before the end of
March to consider themselves safe from relegation. The Trotters lost 2-0 to
Brighton last week, but they are unbeaten in their last three away games. We
will no doubt see another brave performance from Yeovil, but Gary Johnson’s
side might just have to settle for the draw. 1-1.
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