Sheffield United - Cardiff City

After they made an encouraging start to this campaign, Sheffield United's results have come up short in recent weeks and Blades find themselves on 13th place. They noticed last win in steel-city derby (3-2) more than a month ago. Since then, two home draws (Ipswich 3-3, stoppage time equalizer and Doncaster 1-1) and three away defeats (Swansea 1-2, Scunthorpe 1-3 and Blackpool 0-3). Main reason for this sinking is recent injury crisis, ten regular players are sidelined and Blades currently can not resist against any opponent in second tier. Also, fact they have 13 new players comparing with previous season shouldn’t be forgotten. To make the things even worse, took care the only forward Darius Henderson who got a knock and he’s doubtful for the game. Club have signed free-agent striker, Henri Camara, he will probably start the match, but his fitness isn’t on proper level and the question is how much he can really help. While they’ll have a lots of problems to score against tough side as Cardiff surely is, defense line looks extremely shaky conceding six goals in last two encounters. Considering their current situation, I’m absolutely sure they would accept one point today.

The Blue Birds hold the third place on the table with just a point less than league leaders WBA. After the good start of the season, club fell in injury crisis and noticed five competitive defeats in six games! When injury list started to decrease, results became brighter. Cardiff have three wins (Derby 6-1, Watford 4-0 and Coventry 2-0) and a draw (Crystal Palace 1-1) in last four games. But, the most important thing is manager Dave Jones should have a strong squad to choose from, with a lot of his players now available again. His “key of the keys” Ross McCormack is fully fit and ready, defender Kevin McNaughton, midfielder Mark Kennedy and striker Warren Feeney are also available. Only missing player is midfielder Kelvin Etuhu who could be fit and back in training after the next international break. Excellent striker Michael Chopra is the leading scorer in the division with 11 goals, and United face another goal threat in midfielder Pete Whittingham, who has scored six times in the Welsh side's last five matches. Win at Bramall Lane would boost team confidence and maybe launch them on the top. 

I don't agree with the bookies that favor the home side and see the value here. Even if United don’t have injury problems (injury catastrophe sounds more appropriate), Cardiff would be at least equal. Instead more reasons for away win, I'll say few words about my concerns here. It’s a derby clash which usually means very nervous game. Cardiff have three players sent off so far, which is the most by any club. Many recovered players at visitors’ side could make a damage to the team balance that have noticed good run even without them. Also, home ground and the fact the both sides wouldn’t be unhappy with undecided outcome force me to cover a draw instead going on clear away win. Dnb is arround 2.20, even +0.25 on Cardiff is well paid.

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One more later.

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Saturday

Stoke 1 - 0 Sunderland

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Dave Kitson's strike just before half-time earned Stoke victory against Sunderland at the Britannia Stadium.
The former Reading player guided his effort past Craig Gordon after a scramble in the area. 
Stoke had the best of the chances, with Liam Lawrence twice having his goalbound shots blocked - first by goalkeeper Gordon then Phil Bardsley. 
Sunderland striker Darren Bent went close with a 20-yard shot and Bardsley forced a save from Thomas Sorensen. 
The match was a fairly tepid affair until the last 10 minutes of the first half. 
The efforts worthy of a mention were that of Kitson's, a snapshot over the bar from eight yards, and Bent's angled shot at the other end which was bravely blocked by Ryan Shawcross.
Apart from those half-chances, Sunderland had dealt relatively well with Rory Delap's long throw-ins while Shawcross and Abdoulaye Faye had nullified the double threat of Bent and Kenwyne Jones. 
But with the interval approaching, clear chances increased in frequency.
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Sheff Utd 2 - 2 West Brom

West Brom went top of the Championship despite a late penalty from David Cotterill salvaging a point for Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
Roman Bednar gave the Baggies the lead after the break with a glancing header. 
Ched Evans quickly levelled with another fine header before Bednar turned Matthew Kilgallon and fired home in style to restore the advantage. 
But Shaun Cummings brought down Darius Henderson in the dying moments, allowing Cotterill to steal a point.
www.bbc.co.uk

Sheffield United - WBA

United are noticing very promising start of new campaign in Championship. It seems elimination from Burnley in last play-off didn’t discourage the team and lads with eight points from four introducing rounds are announcing another battle for promotion. The Blades made two draws, opening 0-0 vs. Middlesbrough away and unlucky 1-1 against Leicester at home. Two wins came from the encounters against Watford (2-0) at home and Reading (3-1) on the road. United put excellent display at Madejski and after first 20 minutes (when they conceded a goal) took a game in own hands and score three times for a big win. Team has an iron defense and very strong midfield, but little lack in attacking line, as new signing Ched Evans still hasn’t started to repay 3 mill. pounds investment. However, that problem is more obvious against weaker rivals that are focused on defense. After missing the Reading game with tonsillitis, key midfielder Brian Howard is doubtful. The same situation is with on-loan winger Keith Treacy who limped off at Madejski. Home side is undefeated in last nine league games at their Bramall Lane (six wins and three draws).

After relegation from Premier, the Baggies seem decisive to make an immediate return. Boss Roberto Di Matteo has good reason to feel encouraged after club collected ten points from four games. Opening draw against another “ex Premier” – Newcastle (1-1) was an introduction to three consecutive league wins. Two on the road (Nottingham Forest 1-0 and Peterborough United 3-2) and one at home (Ipswich 2-0). In last game, against Roy Keane’s side, West Brom looked superior. Two easy hits, missed penalty and full domination during the entire game are probably just a small piece of their potential. But two away victories have been noticed with a slight touch of luck, as Forest and Peterborough missed a bunch opportunities to get at least a point. West Brom have a lots of problems with injuries. Defenders Gianni Zuiverloon and Neil Clement, midfielders Filipe Teixeira and James Morrison and striker Ishmael Miller are long time sidelined. With a key midfielder Jonathan Greening’s departure to Fulham, team obviously lost some of their quality. This, however don’t reflect on team’s results, so far. For this game, midfielder Chris Brunt has a problem with a calf strain and is not expected to play, while defender Gonzalo Jara is set to miss out as he awaits international clearance.

British press predict a tough game with small number of goals, as United have some problems in attack, while WBA have injury problems and certainly would be satisfied with a goalless draw. I think, in fact I’m sure United will not lose this, they possess more than enough quality for another big win, feel WBA’s luck are running out and simply follow my instinct. Betfair offer 2.58, Pinnacle 2.50. Clear home win.

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Sheffield United - Preston North End

Semi-final, play-off, re-match. First game ended 1-1 and that result set the home side as a favorite for the final. As it was expected, we watched a tough game at Deepdale. Blades put very solid performance, started with attacking attitude with a clear intention to finish the job in the first game. Jamie Ward missed a big opportunity to took his team in a lead and punishment came in 20th minute after a tragic mistake by defence line. Blades consolidated after that and in the rest of the game were the better side. Midfielder Brian Howard scored at the start of the second half and just thankfully to not-serious reactions of Craig Beattie (twice), result stayed the same. Tonight full Bramall Lane will support the lads who are in clear advantage. I think that Blades deserved a direct promotion, they're the most quality team in play-off, mentally very strong and they are the main candidate to reach Premier. But, to make a situation not so perfect, there are some injury problems for Kevin Blackwell. John-Joe O'Toole is injured, while Darius Henderson, Jamie Ward and David Cotterill are under the serious doubt.

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Lillywhites made their run into play-off zone with four wins from last four league games. In the first game, excellent left-back Sean St.Ledger scored for a lead, team played with 100 percent of potential, making even some opportunities for double it. But, it has to be said, it wouldn't be fully deserved. Their performance is not consistent, play in warm-cold shape. They lost at home, for example, against Blackpool 0-1, but in the next home game humiliated Cardiff 6-0! Their progression would be a first class surprise, but if the host underestimate them everything is possible. That's the beauty of play-offs, however. Lee Williamson is missing as he completes a three-game ban, while Richard Chaplow and Michael Hart remain on the injured list.

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This is a play-off, I don't believe in underestimating, though won't be an easy game surely. I expect a cautious game in the first half (and will place a gamble ht/ft, X-1), but don't doubt we'll watch the Blades at Wembley (and in Premier, next season). Bwin offers 1.90. Home win.

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Crystal Palace - Sheffield United (Sunday)

The last round in Championship! Stake is direct promotion and contenders are Birmingham City (80 points), Sheffield United (79) and Reading (77). First about Eagles. C. Palace is one of those clubs which don't have too much motivation recently. They display decent performances, but the results are missing. Just one win from last eight games (Derby County, home 1-0). In the last round, they played very good game against Doncaster, on the road. Three times they hit the post at 0-0 and one goal was cancelled later. At the end 0-2, both goals conceded after the big mistakes of defence line. Skipper Shaun Derry, midfielder John Oster, winger Paul Ifill and young striker Sean Scannell are injured, while defender Claude Davis is suspended.

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For Blades, calculation is simple. They'll promote if they win and Birmingham loose or make a draw in Reading (what a game!). So, I think Reading will not loose and Blades have the fate in their own hands. Sheff.Utd. has just one defeat in the last 14 games and if they reach Premier directly, it would be fully deserved. One more thing is important. C.Palace's boss is Neil Warnock, man who was in charge in Sheff.Utd. when they relegated from Premier last time (Carlos Tevez scored then at Old Trafford for 1-0 win. West Ham stayed, Utd. droped. Tevez didn't have a clear status then and many talks about that, even these days). After that match, Warnock left Bramall Lane, now he has opportunity to help his former club. 

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The only limitation about this game can be bad result in Reading game and in that case possible drop in Sheff.Utd. performance. I don't think it will happen. This is the pick of the month and I expected nothing less than win with two or more goals difference. Pinnacle offers 1.68, Expekt 1.65. Highest confidence, away win. Handicap as a gamble.

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Charlton Athletic - Norwich City

Maybe I'm little emotional, but really don't think Norwich is capable to avoid relegation. Charlton plays for pure pleasure, but will try to drag another team with themselves in League One. As they did with the Saints (3-2 on the road). Bwin offers lovely 3.65. Home win!