Crystal Palace - Derby County

Crystal Palace started the season under all expectations. After six opening rounds, Eagles have noticed just a single win (Ipswich, 3-1 on the road), with two draws and three defeats. Their home shape is especially critical. One draw, two defeats, seven goals conceded and just a single scored (Plymouth 1-1)! And while first home defeat came from league giants Newcastle (0-2), second one, against Scunthorpe (0-4), easily can be called a disgrace. Manager Neil Warnock has a team consisted of talented youngsters. They showed a big potential in Cup game vs. Man.City when were 45 minutes fully equal with Mark Hughes’ stars. But, also it is expected they’ll make hot-cold displays. After good games, they’ll often make a drop in performance (after City they were saving their heads at London Road against Peterborough, 1-1), but after bad encounters when their dignity is hurt we can expect the answer on Premier League level. Warnock is one of the best managers in Championship, players have much more quality then they show so far and I think we can expect a very good game from the Palace. However, they could be without on-loan West Ham forward Freddie Sears who picked up a knock against Scunthorpe and former Derby defender Claude Davis, who has a hamstring problem. Key man in back line, centre-back Paddy McCarthy is available after serving his one-match.

Beside two wins in first two home games, against the teams that should finish at the bottom half of the table (Peterborough and Plymouth, both 2-1), Rams’ other results suggest a big possibility of struggling to avoid relegation. Although boss Nigel Clough repeats their performances are “positive”, his 5-4-1 formation hasn’t brought anything except a chorus of boos around Pride Park after another (third consecutive) defeat, against weak Barnsley at Tuesday 2-3 (their first league win this season). While Clough waits their positive displays to turn into positive results, pressure on him from club’s American owner rapidly raises, dressing room atmosphere is bad and injury list don’t make the things better. Striker Steven Davies is still sidelined, as well as key midfielder Paul Green and another key in defence line Jake Buxton. Strikers Chris Porter and Giles Barnes are long-term absentees. Left winger Stephen Pearson is expected to shake off a groin injury while striker Rob Hulse is on the road to recovery after coming down with a sickness bug earlier in the week. Lack of strikers in the squad Clough tried to solve with bringing on loan Everton’s talented youngster James Vaughan. But, we’ll wait to see will he make a debut, or another chance will be given to useless 5-4-1. However, tough times are in front the lads from Pride Park and I see them as one of the most serious contenders for relegation.

Slap that Palace got from Scunthorpe woke them from lethargy and still hurts. I expect the answer filled with the rage. Wounded Derby look like a victim of bad circumstances. 2.25 at Bwin. Home win.
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Peterborough Utd. - Crystal Palace

Peterborough are noticing not so good debut in second tier of English football. Just one point from possible 12. They made three defeats, WBA 2-3 at home and Derby County 1-2 and Preston North End 0-2 away. Only point came from encounter against Sheffield Wednesday at home (1-1). Club looks nearly the same like in previous season, without any big signing and it seems they simply don’t possess enough quality for this level of competition. Defense line looks extremely shaky so far. Usually they concede a goal in early stage and rest of the game opponent just keep the result and wait for a new error of Posh’s defense. Considering all clubs in Championship, Peterborough showed the least quality in opening four rounds and I see them as the most serious contenders for dropping into League One. Additional problem for boss Darren Ferguson is “short bench”, first eleven don’t have adequate substitutes and Posh start to face with injury problems. They hope to include winger Chris Whelpdale, who missed the start of the season following a hernia operation. But, defenders Tommy Williams (groin) and Jamie Day (ankle) are not expected to feature. Hosts will surely have their bright moments this season, but today’s visitors are not a team for a first win.

Crystal Palace made another unconvincing start of the season. One win (Ipswich Town 3-1, away), one draw (Plymouth Argyle 1-1, at home) and two defeats (Bristol City 0-1 away and Newcastle 0-2 at home). Despite not so good results in the first four rounds, Eagles show some potential. They put an impressive display against Ipswich and in Carling Cup against Man.City were equal in first 45 minutes (conceded twice in second half). They have some very talented players and surely have a quality for a middle of the table (at least), but biggest problem is their youth which doesn’t allow any consistency in results. Luck of experience was obvious against Newcastle, where they conceded a goal at the start (2nd minute), very soon got another one and game was finished. Striker Victor Moses is doubtful for Crystal Palace after suffering an ankle injury during the Carling Cup defeat, while skipper Shaun Derry and excellent midfielder Darren Ambrose should play despite sickness bugs. Striker Stern John (elbow) is still sidelined. Boss Neil Warnock is one of the best managers in Championship, he surely knows how to mentally prepare his young players and Eagles will go for all three points here.

I don’t agree with a slight advantage that bookies gave to home side and think visitors are closer to victory at London Road. However, half of the 16 league matches between these clubs have ended in draws and I’ll cover a possibility of another one with Asian handicap. With a more than decent odd, it definitely worth a bet.  So, C.Palace (0.0), 2.12 at Pinnacle.

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Crystal Palace 0-0 Sheff Utd

Sheffield United had to settle for a place in the Championship play-offs following a draw at Crystal Palace. 
Birmingham clinched automatic promotion with a 2-1 victory at Reading, which meant that even a win for the Blades would not have been enough. 
Palace keeper Julian Speroni was in great form, saving from Jamie Ward on three occasions and tipping over a header from Greg Halford. 
Blades captain Chris Morgan's header bounced off the post late in the game.
But for all of the possession and chances they created the Blades could not find a past Palace's last line of defence - something they would have rued had the game between Reading and Birmingham finished in a draw. 
United will now play Preston in their Championship semi-final playoff tie, with the first leg at Deepdale. 

Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock: 
"While I'm tinged with being a Blade it was solely a manager's job I had to do, but it wasn't easy for me. 
"I shook Kevin Blackwell's hand before the game and told him I wanted to win. We couldn't do that, but we competed really well and had some good chances. 
"I couldn't have asked for anything more from my players. I can go back to being a Blade now and support them in the play-offs. 
"I think once they get over the results this weekend, they will be the favourites to go up." 

Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell: 
"It was a massive pressure game and they didn't buckle, they just kept going. 
"I can't complain about the display at all and now we just need to reproduce that in the play-offs. 
"You need breaks in these games and we just didn't get them - Speroni made save after save. 
"We needed something to go our way and it just didn't happen for us. If I could take anything away from Crystal Palace it would be Lady Luck. I'd put her in the boot of the car and hope that she can rear her head in the play-offs when you need it." 


Crystal Palace: Speroni, Lawrence, McCarthy, Jose Fonte, Hill, Ertl, Danns (Scowcroft 90), Carle, Moses (Rui Fonte 55), Kuqi, Stokes (Hills 72).
Subs Not Used: Clyne, Cadogan. 
Booked: Lawrence, Ertl. 

Sheff Utd: Kenny, Walker, Kilgallon, Morgan, Naughton, Halford, Montgomery, Stephen Quinn (Webber 89), Cotterill, Henderson (Beattie 74), Ward (Lupoli 74). 
Subs Not Used: Hendrie, O'Toole. 

Att: 22,824 
Ref: Chris Foy (Merseyside).

www.bbc.co.uk

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!

Sheffield United - Barnsley

Birmingham and Wolves played a great game previous night. Best defence took a victory against best attack. Both goals will be remembered for a while (especially first), brutal challenge by Lee Carsley, too. Derby filled my expectations. It seems first two places are clear, will see what Blades have to say about that. So...

Sheffield United definitely overcame februar crisis. Five wins and two draws from last seven games. Boss Kevin Blackwell is the best manager of March, United caught Reading on the table. Six points behind Birmingham, maybe three after the game. In the last round, they eliminated Ipswich Town (2-0 at home) from play-off race. Home side was dominating entire game and with the goals by Greg Halford and Darius Henderson got an easy victory. It looked like lads played with half of strength. Seven points more than 7th Preston North End (and a game less), no pressure. Young midfielder John-Joe O'Toole have some knee problems, played just 15 minutes against Ipswich and he's under the question mark. No other worries for Blackwell, he's expected to name unchanged eleven.

On the other side, neighbours are fighting to avoid dropping in Leauge One. Three points above the line, but a game or two less than the opponents. A win (Crystal Palace 3-1 at home) and two draws (Derby County 0-0 away and Nottingham Forest 1-1 at home) from last three games. At the last game on Oakwell, Barnsley took a lead at the start of second half, then start playing very comfortable, even missing a penalty. Eagles used it and scored from only goal opportunity. Two points are gone. Their away shape doesn't look good. Four wins, three draws and eleven defeats from eighteen games, with just twelve(12) scored goals! Their chance can be underestimating by the hosts. Liverpool loan Adam Hammill is fit. No worries for Simon Davey, best eleven will play.

Only things that worry me are mentioned underestimating and result of Birm.-Wolv. game. Beside the both sides are from Yorkshire, I can't see why this game should be called derby. Don't believe the excellent run of results by home side can be stopped by weak Barnsley. Betfair offers more than decent 1.76 for home win, Pinnacle 1.70. Home win and gamble on handicap.

"Ferguson cautious of Porto threat". Yeah, sure. Odds for Utd.'s win against Porto are miserable.  Another handicap for me, with small stake.

Crystal Palace 0 - 0 Reading

Reading were held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace as they missed the chance to put further pressure on Birmingham 
Steve Coppell's side could have moved to within two points of the Blues who were held at home by Norwich earlier in the day.
But a well-organised Palace side frustrated the Royals and the visitors ended the match a man down after Liam Rosenior was sent off.
Coppell was unable to secure back-to-back wins in the week he celebrated his 1,000th game as a manager - more than half of which were in charge of Palace - and his team were hanging on for a point at the end.In a lively opening, Dave Kitson nodded Marek Matejovsky's corner wide for Reading before Palace youngster Victor Moses crossed for Antony Stokes, but his header back across goal was gathered by Marcus Hahnemann.
Palace boss Neil Warnock, in charge of game number 1,100 of his colourful career, was unhappy when John Oster appeared to be pulled back by Chris Armstrong as he burst through on goal, only for referee Andy D'Urso to rule the Reading defender had been fouled.
Coppell was forced into an early reshuffle after Jimmy Kebe pulled up injured, with Stephen Hunt coming on in his place.
Saved well
Stokes should have put the Eagles in front in the 21st minute after Michael Duberry miscontrolled Shefki Kuqi's cross, but Hahnemann came out quickly and made a fine block.
Kitson felt he should have had a penalty when he was clipped in the area by Jose Fonte, but D'Urso waved away the appeal. 
Palace skipper Shaun Derry saw a shot deflected wide and Hahnemann saved well from Nathaniel Clyne as the first half drew to a close.
The American goalkeeper was then called into action straight after the break, keeping out a low drive from Moses.
Coppell threw on Shane Long to join Kitson in attack, and the latter immediately sparked into life with a curler which flew just wide.
Moments later, at the other end, Stokes sent a free-kick just over the top. 
In the 72nd minute Rosenior brought down Moses on the edge of the area and D'Urso had no hesitation in showing him a second yellow card.
Kuqi headed over and Moses fluffed a volley from Derry's cross as Palace went in search of a late winner but Reading held out.
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