I’m definitely not a keen of Sven-Goran Eriksson admirer, but couldn’t deny he made a very good impact at Leicester. Still a big reputation, I guess. However since his arrival, City noticed one defeat (not unexpected one, away at Swansea 0-2), one draw and three consecutive wins (I don’t count Cup defeat with mixed squad). Leicester have a potential for play-off (top side of the table surely), Sousa’s departure was a good thing and I expect they’ll continue with the climbing on the table. Skipper, Matt Oakley, should be fit after a knee injury. Same applies for defender Miguel Vitor.
Well, Blades even before the start gave up from play-off ambitions. But their performances and latest results threat to push them into relegation battle, as United have just one point more from bottom placed Palace. They have three defeats in a row and just one win from last 8 league games (Hull away, 1-0)! Some excuses could be addressed on the injury list that contains six players, captain (and key defender) Chris Morgan, Nick Montgomery, Ryan France, Stephen Jordan, Lee Williamson and in my opinion the most important - striker Darius Henderson. But despite that, Gary Speed doesn’t seem as a good choice for a gaffer, their performances are usually terrible and I don’t see them higher than a bottom side of the table at the end.
Leicester are a strong favorite here. Only thing that worries me is Eriksson’s defensive style that applied in all his clubs and even in English national team. On the other hand United are struggling to score lately and Walkers surely is not a good place for a shooting practice. I expect a home win with a clean sheet. 2-0.
o
Bet: Leicester -0.75o
Odd: 2.05 Victor Chandler
Stake: 8/10
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Plymouth made a run of three games without a defeat. Home draw against drowning Kean and Ipswich wasn’t unexpected, but making a nightmare from Strachan’s debut in Boro really was. 1-0 win at Riverside gave them the wings and lads defeated Doncaster (2-1) at home in next round. Manager Paul Sturrock is keen to stick with the formula that has provided two excellent wins, but his plans, however, may be disrupted by injury concerns over two of the heroes from those victories. Plymouth biggest strength are counter attacks through the flanks and excellent execution by Rory Fallon. Appearance of both wingers, Alan Judge and Craig Noone, will need to be assessed. I guess one will play. Also, Fallon scored the winning goal for his New Zealand and led them to WC. Long trip and lack of focus could reflect on his performance at Walkers. On-loan right-back, David Gray, will have a late fitness test, while captain Carl Fletcher is available again after serving a one-match ban.
Leicester made an impressive start in their returning season in Championship and already announced a battle for a play-off spot. Only defeat in seven opening games came from the most expensive club in the league – Newcastle (0-1 on the road). Players gathered a large amount of self confidence, being absolutely dominant in League One last season and at start of recent campaign in second tier, and already managed to underestimate somebody. In previous round against Peterborough at Walkers, visitors were absolutely dominant in the first half and took a lead. Matty Fryatt equalized from penalty kick in second part, couple chances were created, but only 1-1 draw at the end. Pale display didn’t make serious impact to dressing room atmosphere and Foxes go to Vicarage Road, hunting down their first away win. I think their displays so far warranted another good game and their hope for good result against Hornets has a reliable coverage. Experienced defender Wayne Brown has a shoulder injury and will be assessed before the Foxes line-up is decided, while another defender, Bulgarian Aleksandar Tunchev, needed 10 stitches in a head wound but he is expected to be passed fit. The Foxes have won five and drawn three of their last nine games at Vicarage Road.
Oppositely from tonight’s hosts, Peterboroug find it’s very difficult to collect points in the second tier, noticing their worst start to a season for 21 years. Three draws and same defeats from opening six rounds, with six goals scored and big ten conceded (just Scunthorpe have managed to concede more – 13). Strategy for backing on own forces hasn’t brought anything good, so far. Squad hasn’t been strengthened during the transfer market and visitors will face a tough season to avoid return to League One. However, yet they can consider themselves unlucky following a series of some good displays that have gone unrewarded. Last one was in Saturday’s draw (1-1) against favored QPR on the road. Lads showed some courage, attacked the hosts and took a lead in the opening stage of the game. Conceded a goal later, but was closer to victory. One their goal was cancelled in stoppage time and even QPR’s boss Jim Magilton said that his side were lucky to avoid defeat. Now Posh have to turn good displays in collecting the points. Well, Walkers Stadium is not the best place for improving the points balance, but maybe their luck will change. Boss Darren Ferguson will again be without his key defender Charlie Lee as his ankle injury has not yet healed and striker Ben Wright is also out.
After the previous season where club avoided relegation at the last day, new one started in the same manner. Club’s owner Patrick Cryne gave the last chance to manager Simon Davey, but squad stayed nearly the same, without any significant transfers. The only signing worth of mentioning is striker Onome Sodje from York City. In the opening game, Barnsley noticed a promising draw on the road, against Sheffield Wednesday (2-2). But, then came two shocking home defeats without a goal scored. First Coventry City took all three points (0-2), then Preston North End did the same (0-3). Against Preston, Barnsley conceded two goals in the first half and through the major part of the game weren’t the equal opponent on the pitch. One point from three games was enough to activate alarms at Oakwell and Davey becomes the main favorite to be first manager in Championship who will lose the job. Only goods news come from medical, striker Iain Hume (who has a key role in attack) is recovered and could play against his former club, while defender Rob Kozluk is available again after serving a ban. The Tykes also are hoping to get international clearance for Icelandic midfielder Emil Hallfredsson in time for him to play. In last six encounters of these opponents, Barnsley have noticed all six defeats. 
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 the previous season, Swansea had a dream debut in Championship, playing much over the expectations and at the end almost caught a play-off, finishing at 8th place. Now have to cope with the “second season” syndrome when teams usually lost all enthusiasm that playing in higher league provokes and the majority of pre-season opinion is that they will struggle to replicate last season's results. Beside that, Welsh side suffered three significant losses over the summer, with maybe the best manager in Championship last year, Roberto Martinez and top scorer Jason Scotland both moving to Wigan. Excellent midfielder Jordi Gomez, little later also joined Wigan. The biggest signing is ex QPR manager Paulo Sousa. From the same club came midfielder Jordi Lopez, striker Stephen Dobbie came from Queen of the South, while last season on loan winger Nathan Dyer signed a permanent deal. Sousa has some injury concerns for the season opener. Winger Tom Butler is out following hernia surgery, as are midfielders Ferrie Bodde (knee) and excellent Darren Pratley (shoulder). The Welsh club have lost their opening league fixture in each of the last three years.
