Championship Preview

This weekend sees the penultimate round of Npower Championship fixtures take place and the fight for automatic Premier League promotion could be over by the time the final whistles are blown around the country.

Reading may already be promoted to the top flight prior to their clash with Crystal Palace should they beat Nottingham Forest in midweek, but they will surely get a second chance regardless to finish the job against the Eagles who have faded away throughout the past few weeks.

Dougie Freedman’s side began the campaign brightly but now sit a rather disappointing 16th, thirty points adrift of the Royals at the head of affairs.

Reading should have no issues confirming that domination here and are as solid as you like at 2/5 for a potentially crucial three point haul.

Southampton are still in control for an automatic berth but Nigel Adkins’ men now sit behind Reading following defeat when the two sides met recently.

After topping the table for the majority of the season, Saints’ form has undoubtedly wobbled, but they are good enough to take care of Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium which has been an uncomfortable venue for the North East club during the last few months.

Indeed, Middlesbrough’s poor home form has been the culprit of their faltering promotion bid and the same can be said for Leeds United who look like lambs to the slaughter away at Cardiff.

The Whites have a woeful record against the Welsh outfit who will be keen to cement their place in the play-off zone.

Cardiff are a solid 4/5 to triumph and similar odds can be obtained about fifth place Blackpool beating Burnley at Bloomfield Road.

Birmingham City are safe in the top six but will be adamant to claim third position and thus secure an easier semi-final play-off tie.

Chris Hughton’s charges were slightly off colour when drawing at home to struggling Bristol City recently, but the same can be said about forthcoming opponents Brighton who were smashed for six at West Ham.

Brighton probably have too much to do now in terms of sneaking into the play-off picture and it wouldn’t be surprising to see their effort peter out.

Brum are 8/5 to snatch victory at the Falmer Stadium and easily represent the best chance of a positive away result amongst the weekend’s fixtures – alongside Soton.

Bristol City will fancy their chances of moving further clear of the bottom three when Barnsley come to town, whilst Hull have a decent opportunity to finish their home season strongly against Nottingham Forest.

Leicester City vs. West Ham rounds off the weekend on Monday night and there should be a really interesting tussle in store.

The Foxes’ play-off push is more or less over; nevertheless the squad will be keen to put in a good home shift with manager Nigel Pearson expected to make wholesale changes in the summer.

West Ham will have to win in order to keep their automatic promotion dreams alive and this should ensure an open and attacking affair for which the draw makes appeal at 12/5.

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16/04/2012     © Frixo 2024