Preston - Coventry

Preston demolished Scunthorpe in the previous round (0-3 away), they’re still far from relegation line (10 points), but they’ll probably give a good try. That win stands alone, but lately North End played against the team from the top. Against Leeds and Burnley lost, but took a draw vs. Norwich, Nott Forest, QPR and Watford. Preston have never lost at Deepdale against City (6 wins of last 7) and have just one defeat in last 13 both at home and away. No injury worries for Phil Brown.

Coventry are in a better position (8 points above the line), but actually facing a free fall since they have just one win out of last 17 games (winless in last six). Manager Boothroyd paid the price for poor results, they have a caretaker Andy Thorn, played a draw at Burnley (2-2) in the midweek, but actually Coventry are the best chance that Preston have to keep their hopes alive. Some important players are sidelined, or in doubt. Striker King is suspended, defender Cranie injured, while another striker Platt and skipper Carsley will have a late fitness test.

This is the first “make or break” game for Preston, they boosted the confidence with impressive display at Scunthorpe and Coventry surely aren’t unbeatable. I expect a tough match, but believe in Phil Brown’s capabilities and predict a home win. 2-1 correct score.

Bet: Preston -0.25
Odd: 2.07 Canbet
Stake: 7/10
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Coventry - Hull

Coventry are in a big downtrend as they dropped from 5th place to 18th and could be even involved into relegation battle. They’ve noticed just one win in last 15 matches (Palace at home, 2-1), haven’t kept a clean sheet in last eight and lost last three of four at Ricoh Arena. They also have the worst record against top-half clubs, losing six of eight. Manager Aidy Boothroyd hopes his goalie Westwood will be fit, especially because reserve Ireland is also injured. Striker Marlon King is suspended, another striker Platt will face a late fitness test. Skipper Carsley and defender Turner remain sidelined.

Hull City are actually moving in the opposite direction, they’ve climbed up to 9th  position and still carry the play-off hopes. They’re the best travellers in Championship, haven’t lost in last 13 on the road, including a win in the last away game and ending Forest’s historical home record. They have won half games against bottom-half sides and scored two games in average against the strugglers. Vito Mannone is out and will be replaced by Villa’s on-loan goalie Brad Guzan. 

Great odds on visitors, they’re now raised to 2.20! I predict more misery for Coventry and away win, but dnb option will be absolutely fine. 

Bet: Hull 0.0
Odd: 2.20 188bet
Stake: 8/10
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Millwall - Coventry

Millwall started the returning campaign in a great manner. Defeated in the first round Bristol City on the road (3-0) and home win vs. ex-Premier Hull (4-0). Then scored on Elland Road (Leeds), but managed to concede three times. However, they bounced back in Carling and defeated Premier contender ‘Boro 2-1 (that was 4th win in five matches). They made a fortress of home ground and The Den is not a place where other teams like to go. Boss Kenny Jackett will probably set an unchanged squad. Only absentees are defender Tony Craig and striker Shaun Batt.

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Coventry also made an encouraging start. Two home wins (Portsmouth 2-0 and Derby 2-1) and away draw (Watford 2-2). Against Watford came back from 2 goals down, but against Derby were also struggling and could have lost as well. As always, their main problem is games on the road where collect much less points. For this game, boss Aidy Boothroyd can not count on one important player, striker Lucas Jutkiewicz. Although Coventry are still unbeaten, they haven’t won last six away games (3 draws and 3 lost).

 

As long as Millwall can smell Premiership, they’ll be very strong and dangerous. Especially at the Den (last season, in League One, just a single defeat). Coventry are a decent side, they will probably finish in the top side of the table, maybe even make a threat for a play-off spot, but Millwall away is simply too much. Home win.

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Bet: Millwall to win

Odd: 2.00 Interwetten

Stake: 7/10

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Tuesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Tottenham will beat off the late challenge of Everton to land midfielder Niko Kranjcar from Portsmouth. (The Sun) 
Everton will sign Johnny Heitinga for £5m on transfer deadline day after the Atletico Madrid defender agreed to compromise on his wage demands. (Daily Mirror) 
Tottenham winger David Bentley looks set for a move to Manchester City for £10m, in a bid that will see Martin Petrov move in the opposite direction. (Daily Mirror) 
Portsmouth have rejected an offer from Tottenham which would see goalkeepers David James and Carlo Cudicini swap clubs. (Daily Mail) 
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp and club chairman Daniel Levy are at odds over whether to make a transfer-day bid for James. (The Times) 
Pompey manager Paul Hart is hoping to sign striker Benjani from Manchester City. (The Sun) 
However, that deal could be scuppered by Sven-Goran Eriksson's Notts County, who are ready to make a club record offer for the 31-year-old. (Daily Mirror) 
Hull, Blackburn and Fulham are also in the race to sign Benjani. (The Independent) 
Fulham are expected to complete the signing of Swedish striker David Elm for £500,000. (Daily Express)
Aston Villa are poised to land West Ham defender James Collins for £5m. (The Sun) 
And the sale of Collins will give West Ham the funds to sign Bordeaux's highly-rated forward Marouane Chamakh. (Daily Mail) 
Bolton need Nantes to help pay the wages of striker Ivan Klasnic if they are to complete the loan signing of the 29-year-old Croat. (Daily Mirror) 
West Ham have warned interested clubs that centre-half Matthew Upson will only leave Upton Park if someone offers £15m. (Daily Express)
Wolves have made an offer for Cardiff winger Joe Ledley, who is rated at £6m. (Daily Mail) 
Birmingham hope to complete the loan signing of Real Betis midfielder Achille Emana. (The Sun)
And City manager Alex McLeish is bidding for winger Peter Lovenkrands, who is a free agent after leaving Newcastle at the end of last season. (Daily Mail) 
Portsmouth have made a £3m bid for former Wigan striker Amr Zaki and have also been linked with former Liverpool and Chelsea midfielder Boudewijn Zenden. (The Independent) 
Stoke are in negotiations to sign Valencia striker Nikola Zigic and Atletico Madrid defender Luis Perea. (Daily Mail) 
Rangers are to sign French winger Jerome Rothen from Paris St Germain on a year-long loan. (Various)
Celtic will make a £1.5m deadline day offer for Sampdoria midfielder Daniele Dessena. (Various) 
Scott McDonald's agent, Lou Sticca, has hinted that the Celtic striker may move on in January, if a suitable bid comes in. (Herald)
However, Wigan want McDonald right now and have offered a cash plus striker Marlon King deal for the Australian international. (Scottish Daily Mail) 


OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney says he will not quit Old Trafford like Cristiano Ronaldo did in the summer. (The Sun) 
Arsenal are set to lose their appeal against striker Eduardo's two-game ban even though they have submitted a 19-page presentation to Uefa. (The Sun) 
Former Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd will today be unveiled as the new manager of Colchester. (The Sun)
Celtic defender Darren O'Dea will sign a new three-year deal at the Glasgow club before move to Reading on loan. (Daily Record) 

AND FINALLY

The head of the Croatian Football Association has claimed England are trying to deliberately injure their players, following the injuries to both Luka Modric and Eduardo in the last 18 months. (Various)
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Saturday's gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

Arsene Wenger says Barcelona have as much chance of signing Cesc Fabregas as Arsenal have of signing Lionel Messi.(Irish Independent) 
Newcastle midfielder Damien Duff is due in London to finalise a transfer to Fulham. (Sky Sports News) 

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Chelsea are poised for a £42million bid for Atletico Madrid's Argentine striker Sergio Aguero. (Sun) 
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola is still trying to persuade Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen to join him at Upton Park. (Daily Mirror) 
Aston Villa could move for Tottenham's out-of-favour winger David Bentley, but only as a back-up player.(Times) 
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has made an enquiry about Aston Villa's England winger James Milner, who cost £12m from Newcastle last August.(Sun) 
Everton are trailing Spartak Moscow winger Vladimir Bystrov, 25, and are interested in a loan deal for Valencia's Argentine midfielder Ever Banega, 21. The Toffees are also watching giant defender Isaac Vorsah, who plays for German club Hoffenheim.(Daily Mail) 
Middlesbrough are ready to sell German centre-half Robert Huth to Stoke City in a £2.5m deal. (Daily Mirror) 
Newcastle want Bolton defender Andy O'Brien, 29, to return to St James' Park to solve their defensive crisis. (Daily Mirror)
Hull boss Phil Brown has lined up 34-year-old free agent Sol Campbell in case Liverpool make an improved offer for his £12-rated defender Michael Turner. (Daily Mail) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Harry Redknapp says David Bentley still has a future at Tottenham - as long as he does not step out of line again after his recent drink-driving incident.(The Sun) 
Everton boss David Moyes has accused Mark Hughes of using underhand tactics to unsettle Joleon Lescott and claimed that it had cost Manchester City any chance of landing their latest target.(Daily Mail) 
Former Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd is set to become the new manager of Norwich, who sacked Bryan Gunn less than a week into the season.(Daily Mail) 
Paul Hart believes the proposed takeover of Portsmouth will not happen, plunging the club into yet more uncertainty on the eve of the new Barclays Premier League season.(Times) 

AND FINALLY

Defender Anton Ferdinand is planning a Michael Jackson goal tribute is he nets for Sunderland in the Black Cats' Premier League opener at Bolton. "I'm not too sure how it will work out, I actually thought of putting a glove in my sock to pull out if I score," said big Jacko fan Anton.(Sun)
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