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

Middlesbrough - Plymouth Argyle

Middlesbrough hold a place in the play-off zone (4^th) and made two good performances in last two rounds. First, won against Derby at home (2-0) which was a first positive result at Riverside after three defeats without a single goal scored (WBA 0-5. Leicester 0-1 and Watford 0-1). Then Southgate got fired and new man in charge, Gordon Strachan, watched from vip seat an away draw vs. Preston (2-2). Considering their ratio performances/points, in my opinion Boro lack in points and possess unused potential that especially reflected in home games (ten points from 21). Strachan declared the striking force as the main problem and already sign on two months loan deal striker Marcus Bent from Birmingham (ex Charlton). Two forwards, Caleb Folan and Jeremie Aliadiere, are injured and Bent goes straight into Boro’s starting eleven. All others are fit and available to the new boss. Debuts of the new managers always have a positive impact to the team morale and Strachan surely couldn’t wish a better opponent for it (maybe we can even talk about god timing of chairman Steve Gibson).

 

In opening 14 rounds and noticed 9 (from possible 42) points, Pilgrims haven’t shown anything that could keep them in the Championship. After seven consecutive defeats, team won twice (Peterborough and Scunthorpe), then again bad run with just one point in three games (bottom side, Keano’s Ipswich 1-1) and in my opinion it’s fair to say Plymouth simply don’t possess enough quality to resist against any decent club in Championship. Here are some facts about their previous effort. They are the only side not to have kept a single clean sheet this season, have picked up one point from their eight matches against top-half clubs and have conceded nine goals in the last 15 minutes of matches this season - more than any other club. Really can’t see any sign of potential improving. At Riverside, boss Paul Sturrock will have some additional problems, with missing players. Young defender Darcy Blake is suspended, while key striker Rory Fallon will face a fitness test. Also, Pilgrims could have a big problem at right back (Boro’s best scorer so far is winger Adam Johnson, btw.) as Gray and McNamee have ankle injuries.

 

Difference in quality is obvious, home ground and new manager who will make his debut on the bench will also be the big advantages. My opinion is only miracle could save Plymouth of a debacle at Riverside.  My suggestion is home handicap win. -1, -1.25, -1.5 choose which you like.

.

I'll be on the road for the weekend. Maybe one more analyze for Sunday (Cardiff), maybe not. Cheers lads.

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.

Stressful Weekend-Relaxing Monday

I almost got the heart attack. I didn't make any profit, but thankfully to new kid in Premier (no, I won't put his third pic in a row on my blog, he-he) I cut my lost. It is interesting how missing of one player can change the game. If I knew Rio don't play (and Garry Nevile(!) will play central defender), I wouldn't put a cent on home win (but, increase bet on over). Feel very lucky at the end.

Big Championship game is tonight. Birmingham v Wolves, second against the first. With a win, hosts will secure direct promotion, visitors title. I can't imagine which side has advantage, will seat back and enjoy in game. And a minor gamble bet on 1-1 (ht/ft), just in case.:) Here is info about injuries and statements from Alex McLeish and Mick McCarthy (from my favorite resource-bbc).

Birmingham striker James McFadden is set to play for the first time since January after overcoming a knee injury. 
Marcus Bent is also in contention but Stuart Parnaby (thigh) and Kemy Agustien (groin) are still unavailable. 

Wolves forward Sylvan Ebanks-Blake (calf) and Chris Iwelumo (thigh) should be fit while on-loan Aston Villa striker Marlon Harewood could play. 
Winger Matt Jarvis is back from a knee problem but Michael Kightly will miss the rest of the season (broken toe). 

Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish told BBC WM: 
"If you're not looking forward to high profile games likes these, then you should be chucking it (in). 
"Wolves have a little bit of leeway at the moment and we've got to go all out to reduce that. I'd prefer to be in Wolves' position at the moment but there's no reason why we can't win this game and get to within two points." 

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy told BBC WM: 
"They (the players) can sense and see the importance of it better than anybody, because they're playing in it. 
"They are our nearest and dearest rivals and they are a good side. We know night games are something special and I just don't think there's a game of more significance this season with six games to go."