Ipswich Town - Newcastle United

After eight rounds, Tractor Boys still don’t have a win and from pre-season play-off contenders became a team that probably will struggle to avoid relegation. Popular Keano entered the season with very solid team, but also faced with the riot in the dressing room and some players are written off. Lately, team has been showing the signs of progress, but it seems they still play under the pressure of big expectations, especially at their Portman Road. At their home, three draws (Leicester, Preston and N.Forest) and one defeat (C. Palace), so far. From these clubs, only Preston perhaps could be considered as a top Championship team. Today’s opponent is the strongest so far, pressure permanently raises and in case of convincing defeat Keano’s position would be everything but safe. Midfielder Jack Colback and striker Tamas Priskin are pushing for starts after coming off the bench to score in last weekend's 3-3 draw at Doncaster. Defender Gareth McAuley is back after a ban but is doubtful with a calf injury. The Blues have only won one of their last nine games against Newcastle in all competitions and if lose they will have made their worst ever start to a Football League season.

Newcastle came in the season with big turbulences within the club. One period nobody knew who will be the club’s owner, manager or which players remain in the club. But all these concerns haven’t affected the players too much. Magpies have noticed six wins (draw and a defeat) in opening eight rounds and occupied a spot that guarantees a direct promotion. Beside that, they made the best defense record in league, keeping five clean sheets and leaking only four goals. However, team noticed two consecutive defeats on the road. First, faced with big injury problems, Newcastle weren’t capable to resist against Blackpool (1-2), than in Cup encounter with just two regular players lost vs. Peterborough (0-2). Those two games showed it won’t be as easy as it seemed in one moment. Players are fully focused again and situation with the injuries becomes better. Marlon Harewood came from Aston Villa on loan deal to substitute long time injured key striker Shola Ameobi. Excellent Argentinean Jonas Gutierrez won’t be in action for a while. Midfielders Joey Barton (foot) and Danny Guthrie (one-game ban) also won’t appear today, while full-back Danny Simpson is doubtful with an ankle injury. But, manager Chris Hughton has a “long bench” and these missings should be adequate covered. 

For home side it is obvious even now, there won’t be any promotion race this season and the middle of the table could be the highest achievement. Some improvements are visible, but I doubt it can be upgraded against maybe the best league team. For me, Newcastle are the big favorite here. Away win should be treated as a gamble bet, but additional covering a draw seems as a very safe option. High stake.

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Coventry City – Ipswich Town

It finally started! Leicester did their job. I'm full of confidence, next odd is even higher.

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Considering players’ individual qualities, it’s gonna be another tough season for the Sky Blues. And if we consider previous season, when team showed it’s potential from time to time recording surprising performances and victories, but finished at the 17th place, fans have every right to be concerned about forthcoming season. The biggest strength is surely, talented manager Chris Coleman (ex Fulham and Real Sociedad boss). He faced with budget reducing problems and some players had to leave to balance the books at the Ricoh Arena. Star youngster Danny Fox (sold to Celtic) and skipper Scott Dann (Birmingham City) both had to leave. Beside them, Coleman wrote off French midfielder Guillaume Beuzelin, experienced goalie Andy Marshall and Maltesian Michael Mifsud. But, real shock for the fans came this thursday, when club decided to send key midfielder Michael Doyle to Leeds on one year loan deal. Counted players were the spine of the squad. Instead them, club have brought two midfielders, Michael McIndoe from Bristol City and excellent Sammy Clingan from Norwich and young Chelsea’s defender Patrick van Aanholt who came on loan until the end of the year. Coventry have finished in the bottom half of the table five times in the last eight seasons, but this time I’ll dare to predict even fight for avoiding relegation. For this game, hosts are without midfielder David Bell (ankle), while center-back James McPake is out for two months after breaking his collarbone in pre-season. Only good news for them is statistics which say Coventry have not lost their opening league game since 2000. Their last three campaigns have started with the wins.

As a sign of big ambitions, chairman Marcus Evans brought Roy Keane in the club two rounds before the previous season ended. He started with two wins (second one was against Coventry at the same place, 2-1) and everybody in the club wants to continue where they stopped. Club finished the previous season at 9th place, showing a great potential during the main part of competition and the clubs’ officials think they were victims of complacency. Instead the soundable signings, they mostly relied on Keane’s ability to motivate the lads and raise their limits. However, they brought some decent Championship players who will fight for a place in the first eleven. From his former club, Sunderland, Keane brought midfielder Jack Colback, another midfielder, Colin Healy from Cork City, while striker Tamás Priskin came from Watford. Also, winger Lee Martin (ex Man.Utd.) and defender Damien Delaney (ex QPR) have joined the club. Club left midfielder Velice Sumulikoski and striker Kevin Lisbie. With the expected loan deal of Giovani Dos Santos from Spurs, Tractor Boys will be a serious contender for a play-off spot. Defender David Wright has recovered from a rib injury but forward Pablo Counago misses out with a groin problem.

We won’t see too many goals in this encounter, under is very probable. I think Coventry won’t win here and although we talk about the first game in the season, instead double chance or dnb on Ipswich, I’ll go on a clear away win. Odds are high, but stake will be limited, of course. 2.87 at Pinnacle. 0-2 correct score.

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