Sheff Wed – Carlisle

Wednesday made a decent start of the campaign which should return them into Championship. It’s no need to talk about their potential. Players like Tudgay, Morrison, Potter, Purse or Mellor are definitely names for the higher level. In my opinion, they have even better team than last season when they were in the second tier. Boss Irvine has on injury concerns as the only missing is winger Jermaine Johnson. Despite the defeat in last round (away to Brentford, 0-1), Irvine will probably set unchanged side.

.

Carlisle have noticed a good start without a defeat in 5 opening games. Defeated Brentford and MK Dons, resisted away to Plymouth and Colchester and drew at home vs. Swindon. I have an impression they’ve been playing little over their potential and expect their drop in the results. However, for the visit to Hillsborough manager Abbott can not count on midfielder duo Bridge-Wilkinson and Hurst, while Michalik already made his debut in defense line and is expected to appear again. Defender Danny Livesey remains sidelined.

 

Wednesday are main contender for a direct promotion, look like a mean machine recently (didn’t at Brentford though, but really should have got something from that game) and I can’t see them losing too much points this season, especially at home. With all respect, Carlisle’s role here will be to make, with their 2nd place, Owls serious.

.

Bet: Sheff Wed -0.75

Odd: 2.00 bet365

Stake: 7/10
.

That's it, good luck to all.
.

Make e-mail subscription and get my picks directly in the mail box.

.

Sheff Wed – Brighton

Wednesday should be main contender for direct promotion from League One and opening two rounds just confirmed my opinion. In the first round defeated Dag&Red 2-0, but should have scored few times more. Only weakness so far, was visible in the first half of second game (Colchester, 1-1 away). Manager Alan Irvine changed his 4-3-3 formation and they were outplayed. In the 2^nd half sent Mellor on pitch and got an equalizer from him. Mellor’s fitness is improving and with Morrison and Tudgay makes a killing trio. However two missings for the Owls, winger Jermaine Johnson and midfielder Tommy Miller.

.

Brighton made a very good start of campaign. In the opening day, a great victory away to Swindon (2-1). Looked good as well in the second game dominating against Rochdale, but red card spoiled their plans and a draw at the end. However, Gus Poyet lads should be in the top half of the table at the end of season and no one will take them lightly. They’ll be without 3 important players. Defender Gordon Greer and midfielder Matt Sparrow are suspended, while another midfielder Alan Navarro is injured and will miss the game.

 

Wednesday, in my opinion, have better team than they had in Championship last year. I see them losing points in games where underestimate the opponents. Maybe it looks like a paradox, but Brighton’s seriousness will pull out the best from Wednesday. Home win.

.

Bet: Sheff.Wed. -0.5ah

Odd: 1.93 Pinnacle

Stake: 8/10

.

More to follow...

.

Make e-mail subscription and get my pick directly in your mail box.

Sheff. Wed. - Dag & Red

Wednesday should be (beside Southampton) the main contender for winning the league. They’ve made some changes in the squad. Strikers Leon Clarke and Francis Jeffers and goalie Lee Grant left the club, but management brought some very quality replacements. Striker Mellor and midfielder Sedgwick from Preston, ex Coventry top striker Clinton Morrison and former Man City and England Under-21 goalkeeper Nicky Weaver. Boss Irvine came too late to clean all the mess that Laws left in the club, but this season Wednesday with players like Tudgay, Purse, O'Connor, Miller, Johnson (beside mentioned four) should be too much for the rest of the league. Also, important thing is they made an arrangement with bank about financial debt and won’t be forced to sell the best players. Only concern for today’s game is mentioned winger Jermaine Johnson who is battling to overcome a knee injury.

.

After securing promotion to the third tier for the first time by winning last season's play-off final, Dagenham became the bookmakers' favorites for relegation. Manager John Still worked wonders in getting them up, but if he can keep them there it will be a real miracle. Team simply has a limited potential and with average home attendance that rarely get above 2.000, they’ll be hardly competitive on this level. Dagenham have some doubts over defenders Scott Doe and Abu Ogogo who picked up knocks in pre-season, while striker Paul Benson is expected to start.

 

Home side is a main contender for the top and they look even stronger than in previous season. It’s always risky to take handicap in the first round, but beside obvious class difference, importance of a good start and packed Hillsborough should guarantee a convincing win. 2-0, or 3-0 correct score.

.

Pick: Sheff.Wed. -1ah

Stake: 8/10

Odd: 2.04 Pinnacle 

Coventry - QPR

Interesting things are happening in Coventry these days. They lost the key striker Leon Best (sold to Newcastle), but their results and performance are improving. I see two reasons. First, Chris Coleman is definitely a manager for Premier, not second tier. Second, selling Best was also a good move for the club. Coventry hadn’t score more with him in the squad just because lack of assistance passes in front. Antagonism between him and the other players, I’m not sure. But sure is Eastwood (especially) and Clinton Morrison (was in Best’s shadow) are great attacking force. In previous round, they defeated promotion chasers Nott.Forest (with a slight touch of luck, though), and their self confidence is additionally raised. Midfielder Aron Gunnarsson and center-back James McPake are facing a late fitness tests. New on loan signing, striker Freddie Sears, will take some part in this game. Coventry won four of last five home games in league and are unbeaten in five matches against QPR.

Situation in QPR could be described as at least chaotic. Briatore faced a hors of boos and left the stadium at the half time (Ipswich 1-2), chairman Gianni Paladini has offered his resignation, while team is in a freefall! They have four defeats in a row (two came from Scunthorpe and Peterborough), scored just one goal and they’re just two points far from relegation zone. New caretaker, Mick Harford (and his assistant Tony Coton), is not well appreciate from the players and the fans as well. Looking at their current situation, I’m much closer to think it will be the end of one era, instead they’ll improve somehow. They’re also lost one key player, Wayne Routledge (and also to Newcastle). Rangers are without on-loan striker Marcus Bent, while midfielder Mikele Leigertwood is suspended, but defender Peter Ramage is back after serving a one-match ban and left-back Gary Borrowdale has recovered from an injury. QPR have picked up one point out of a possible 15 since Mick Harford took over as care taker and they are without a win in seven away matches. 

I see some consistency in Coventry’s results and in my opinion is they’re clear favorites today. My only limitation is QPR’s bad habit to shine and put a Champions League performance when no one expect. However, in my opinion any positive reaction from the players today would be a first class surprise. Following all my reasons, only conclusion is a home win.

Available free bets, bonus offers and promotions:
Expekt - First deposit bonus up to €35 / £25 for all new customers
Make your first deposit at expekt.com and we will immediately double your money up to max €35 / £25. Take these 3 easy steps to start profiting from sports betting: 1.Register an account with expekt.com here. 2.Deposit a minimum of €10 into your expekt.com account. 3.Send an email to 35eurbonus@expekt.com with your customer number and deposit amount included. The bonus amount up to €35/£25 will be added to your account within 48 h

Derby County - Coventry City

Derby County hold the 20^th position in Championship with just two points more than clubs from relegation zone. They’ve noticed three consecutive defeats, Middlesbrough 0-2 (away), QPR 2-4 (home) and Ipswich Town 0-1 (away). Club has lots of problems with injured players and that is main reason for mentioned bad run of results (midfielder Dean Moxey is the only outfield player who have been on the field for every minute of all Derby's league matches this season). Four key players are sidelined, strikers Chris Commons and Rob Hulse and defenders Dean Leacock and Shaun Barker, while midfielder Jay McEveley has been recovered and is expected to appear tonight. They also have problems with ball transition and lack of creativity in the midfield. They create goal opportunities only after set pieces or shooting from a distance. The Rams have the biggest number of defeats this season (nine), while six of them have been by a single goal - more than any other club. Manager Nigel Clough desperately needs a win tonight, but I don’t see them as, even slight favorites.

 

At the start of the season, club’s officials and manager Chris Coleman were stating that club has an ambition to make one step more comparing with previous seasons and make a break to the play-off position. And season started well, as Coventry defeated Ipswich and Barnsley in opening two rounds. But, soon they went back in poor reality, that is team is consisted of not even average Championship players. Chris Coleman still is one of the most talented managers in second tier and Leon Best (best league player in October) and Clinton Morrison are maybe the best attacking duo in this level, but that’s almost all. The most they can achieve is calling of the most unpredictable club in Championship. Coventry have noticed five games without a win, two draws (Leicester and WBA, both at home) and three defeats (Sheffield Wednesday, Cardiff City and Reading). Also, they failed to score in three of their last four games. Home defeat against Reading was a big blow for Coleman who still has to cope with the absence of first goalie Keiren Westwood. Club brought defender Leon Barnett on-loan deal from   WBA and he has been included in the squad. Their total of 17 points after the first 15 games is their lowest return for four years.

 

Both teams are in bad run and have a lots of problems with scoring. Also injuries on both sides will additionally weaken their quality. Derby have a small advantage in fans at Pride Park, while Coventry  have duo Best-Morrison who finally should score. Both sides won’t risk too much and would be absolutely satisfied with one point. 2.43 at Pinnacle. Draw, correct score 0-0.

.

Available free bets, bonus offers and promotions:
Expekt - First deposit bonus up to €35 / £25 for all new customers
Make your first deposit at expekt.com and we will immediately double your money up to max €35 / £25. Take these 3 easy steps to start profiting from sports betting: 1.Register an account with expekt.com here. 2.Deposit a minimum of €10 into your expekt.com account. 3.Send an email to 35eurbonus@expekt.com with your customer number and deposit amount included. The bonus amount up to €35/£25 will be added to your account within 48 h.

Ipswich Town - Leicester City

The season of great expectations started with unexpected defeat against Coventry on the road. Two early strikes by home star Clinton Morrison were enough, although Ipswich were dominating rest of the game, missing a lots of clear goal opportunities and it was a real wonder how they couldn’t avoid at least defeat. But, maybe the bigger blow is a loss of key midfielder David Norris. Keane has confirmed he is likely to be out for around four months after sustaining knee ligament damage. However, good performing continued in Carling Cup. Keano gave a chance to some youngsters who used it on the right way, especially teenager Connor Wickham who scored twice. But, passing weak Shrewsbury after penalties (3-3 regular) was hardly a plus in the chairman Marcus Evans’ notebook and Keane must start collecting the points in Championship. Always dangerous Leicester are coming to Portman Road and there’re no space for new mistake. Keane will order attack from the first whistle and we should watch an open game from the start. Beside mentioned Norris, Ipswich will be without defender Ben Thatcher who won’t face his former club as he still isn’t fit after his own knee injury and forward Pablo Counago is out with a groin problem. Home side obviously has a potential, performance against Coventry was more than decent, but they still need show a first round was just a bad day.

New campaign in the second tier of English football, Leicester started with a win against Swansea at their Walkers stadium. Home fans passed through the torture during the first half, as visitors took a lead and Steve Howard missed to equalize from a penalty kick. Under the guidance of Nigel Pearson, thankfully to excellent physically condition of the players, Leicester became known as a “second-half team”. And once again, they decided a game in the second period with two strikes by two substitutions, Martyn Waghorn and Danny N'Guessan. During the mid-week, Leicester also had a successful appearance in Carling Cup, against League Two side – Macclesfield (2-0 win). It is still far from any kind of euphoria, but though nobody at Walkers isn’t saying loud, play-off became a season objective. Players are full of confidence and all hope they can make a serious impact in the Championship this season. In League One, Leicester used to attack and there’s no doubt, they’re traveling to Portman Road for a win. Beside they don’t know to defend, boss Nigel Pearson will try with attacks to use the holes in Ipswich’s shaky defence line. Right-back Robbie Neilson has served a ban and is likely to make his debut, while midfielder Andy King and defender Aleksandar Tunchev are both pushing for a place after returning from midweek international duty.

In Ipswich, still nobody feels a fire under the feet, but two bad results at the start can judge another season for a middle of the table. On the other hand, after two excellent games in league and cup, visitors got the wings and they surely don’t think about anything less than three points. I can’n give the advantage to any side, but see bet on goals as a very good choice. Pinnacle offer 2.00. Over.

.

More later...

.

Available free bets, bonus offers and promotions:
"William Hill Exlusive £100 freebet, All Countries!!!" 1. Click here to open your account, Sign up("Join now") using promo code F100, 2. When you place your first bet, we will give you a free bet of the same value up to a max of £50, 3. As you place more bets you can earn up to another £50 in free bets. (Moneybookers available for this offer, You can choose Euro as a currency.)

Coventry 2 - 1 Ipswich

Clinton Morrison scored twice before Coventry resisted a strong Ipswich fightback to win their opening game of the Championship season.
Morrison struck with a brilliant curling effort and a deft header before Jon Walters reduced the deficit with a crisp shot from the edge of the area. 
Coventry keeper Kieren Westwood made a one-handed save from Jaime Peters and tipped over a Walters header. 
Pim Balkestein did defeat Westwood but Morrison made a clearing header. 
It was a result that was tough on Ipswich manager Roy Keane, who may no longer feel like celebrating his 38th birthday on Monday. 
Expectations are high at the Suffolk club this season but despite their defeat at the Ricoh Arena there was plenty of evidence that they will be a capable side this season.
www.bbc.co.uk