The
Score
Hiya scorers- a quick look at tonights games:
Ipswich
vs. Middlesbrough
Last week’s defeat to Watford put an end to Ipswich’s 5
matches unbeaten and saw them drop down to 15th. Games against
Barnsley, Derby, Leicester and Crystal Palace after this, they have a chance to
get ahead of the teams around them.
Despite retaining a play-off spot throughout,
Middlesbrough have failed to win in their last four league games, two of which
have ended in defeats for Tony Mowbray’s side.
In the last five meetings between the sides, there has
been 3 draws, and a win apiece.
Verdict- 0-1
Leicester
vs. Nottingham Forest
Over a rather unpredictable month for the Foxes, they
have recovered from their cup exit to Chelsea with a dramatic 3-3 draw away to
Blackpool and an impressive victory against Hull. With some easier games
forthcoming, derby victory today could propel them to a late play-off chase.
If their opponents, Nottingham Forest can win this one, I’m
counting them safe. They have followed up a spectacular 7-3 win away to Leeds
with a comparatively lacklustre draw with Brighton. However, once they further
themselves away from the relegation zone, they may have little to play for.
The last time these teams met was in the FA Cup this
season, ending in a 4-0 win for Leicester.Verdict- 2-1
Peterborough
vs. West Ham
In January, I thought West Ham were destined to go up.
Southampton were stuttering and their current superiors, Reading, were merely
holding out for a play-off spot. Now, West Ham have drawn their last five
matches, four of those 1-1. They are now third, and have to win this game in
hand to stay in touching distance of the automatic promotion spots.
Including shock 3-1 wins over Reading and Blackpool,
Peterborough have had, like Leicester an unpredictable March. The aforementioned
wins were merged with 4 defeats, including a 3-0 home defeat to Millwall.
Due to the teams contrast histories, they have only
played each other 3 times so far.
Verdict- 1-3
Portsmouth
vs. Hull
A marvellous 4-1 win over Birmingham a week ago was
failed to be backed up- a 2-0 defeat at Coventry shows that result was just a
one-off- that being their only win in March up to now. With Burnley and
Southampton after this, Pompey will certainly need to show some battling spirit
to get out of their situation.
Hull City have somewhat dropped under our noses in the
play-off chase, their shock 3-0 win away to Cardiff a fortnight ago their only
win in March and will need to put a run together now to get back in it. This is
the perfect time to do so, though, with Portsmouth, Coventry and Millwall next.
Verdict- 0-2
Crystal
Palace vs. Doncaster
For Crystal Palace, they have been involved in quite a
few close games this season. Before a spirited comeback in their 3-2 defeat to
Derby at Pride Park, Palace had beaten Peterborough and Barnsley and drawn away
at Burnley. With the Dons and Forest coming up for them, they will need to get
the points in quickly before they play Birmingham and Southampton.
Without a win in 5, Doncaster have also lost their last
two games and don’t appear to be demonstrating much battling quality, and are
five points from safety. With Palace, Birmingham and Leicester coming up, its
do or die time for Ron Saunder’s men.
Verdict- 1-1
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