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Portsmouth - Leeds
Portsmouth are in big financial problems that, according to Liam Lawrence, do affect the players. They have been docked ten points (dropped into relegation zone), are also in administration, lost best striker to Birmingham and will be without striker Dave Kitson! Additionally, they’ve lost five matches out of last seven.
Leeds are coming to the town with Neil Warnock in charge. At their previous trip they lost vs. last placed Coventry, but at Elland against Donny whites made a big come back and won from 0-2 to 3-2. Allegedly, Warnock made a half-time speech in the dressing room. They seem to be in completely opposite trend than Pompey.
I am taking some coverage in case of a draw, but idea is to back Leeds.
Bet: Leeds -0.25Odd: 2.00 (Pinnacle)
Stake: 8/10
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Charlton - Stevenage
The Addicks are topping the table with seven points margin, but lately playing with their fans nerves making three draws out of last four in league. They’ll miss again striker Danny Haynes, but skipper johnnie Jackson is back. Defence line will also go to normal as right-back Solly returns to squad and Rhoys Wiggins will move to his natural position at the left side.
Stevenage lost their first game under Gary Smith, by a stoppage time goal at Notts County. Before that, they stopped Spurs at home in Cup (0-0) and this is their 3rd tough game for only six days. They won’t have fresh legs and not like they’re not going to need them today.
I am backing Charlton here at more than acceptable odd.
Bet: Charlton
Odd: 2.10 (Ladbrokes)
Stake: 7/10
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From serious play-off challenger, Palace became a contender for relegation. Dropping into administration and 10 points deduction made the Eagles are now 20th with just four points far from relegation zone. They’re also in good shape as they have just one defeat in last nine competitive games. Last one was Cup victory against Wolves. However, financial worries and relegation fight could make a big mentally impact on Warnock’s young starlets. Second worry is limited number of players. Warnock probably won’t use all places for substitutes, while the best eleven played tough game at Tuesday (Scunny didn’t). And last smaller clubs have a problem (that became a rule), after big win usually comes big down. Alan Lee suffered a head injury against Wolves but will be patched up in order to partner Butterfield in attack.
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.
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.
