After a run of three games without a win and especially after London humiliation against Queens Park (0-4), Preston put a decent display on the road and beat Sheff.Wed. (2-1). John Parkin scored a winner for a desperately needed win and staying in the top six. They have almost the same team from the previous season (finished sixth), all lines in the squad are well balanced, harmed dignity has been recovered and in my opinion they’ll be (along with Cardiff) the most serious threat to ex-Premiership crew (Newcastle, WBA and Middlesbrough). Only missing is departure on loan of excellent Sean St Ledger to ‘Boro (won’t play against own club) because the financial reasons. Good news came from medical service as Lilywhites have been boosted by the news that skipper Callum Davidson (defense) should make his long-awaited return from a hamstring injury. Also, absence of the key midfielder Paul Parry seems finished as he was an unused substitute at Sheffield and he should play. No new injury or suspension worries for boss Alan Irvine and best eleven should appear.
Middlesbrough started the season in Championship with clear intention for returning in the Premier League. And all started well as club was placed at the top of the table. Then crisis at Riverside and three consecutive home defeats without a single goal scored (WBA 0-5, Leicester City 0-1 and Watford 0-1). 'Boro bounced back at mid-week against Derby County as midfielder Adam Johnson scored twice for a 2-0 win. Then public was hit by the news that Gareth Southgate has been sacked. Well, it’s not about his capability to lead one team on 'Boro’s level, I first claimed he should chose more appropriate profession. The problem is the moment that seems wrong. Team finally won at home, players were pointing the team spirit, fans promising full support and I expect at least missing of positive reaction at Deepdale. Future boss (will be appointed in coming days), Gordon Strachan, will watch the game, but I doubt he’ll see too many good things. Team that will be led by coach Colin Cooper will miss mentioned defender Sean St Ledger, another centre back Seb Hines is a doubt, while skipper defender Emanuel Pogatetz could return after his knee injury.
This will be the clash of two serious contenders for Premiership. Usually I would ignore any tought about betting on such game, but moment when it happens gives an advantage to the lads from Deepdale. And defense line without St Ledger (and maybe Pogatetz) will have a lots of problems to stop outstanding John Parkin. Home win (Pinnacle 2.70) should be considered as a gamble, while my advise is dnb (1.90 also Pinnacle).
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Bristol City 3 - 1 Plymouth
Blades came in the recent season as one of the main contenders for promotion. Squad that wasn’t changed too much during the transfer market possesses enough quality to fight against the best clubs in the second tier. But, problems came very soon. Currently, United are without a win in four games and have lost their last three away matches. Also, the fact they conceded eight goals in those three games (Coventry City 2-3, Swansea City 1-2, Scunthorpe United 1-3) sounds incredible when we talk about last season best defense line in Championship. Problem started, as usual, when one of the central defensive duo Morgan- Kilgallon is missing. First Chris Morgan got an injury. Recovered, but then Matthew Kilgallon fell in the “contract negotiation crisis”. Recently, he requested a transfer. Meanwhile, injury list has been growing. Manager Kevin Blackwell (his position is very insecure these days, btw.) couldn’t count on 10 first-team players for Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Scunthorpe - and could only name six substitutes on the bench! New name on the list is defender Andrew Davies, while team morale is needless to say very low. Kevin Blackwell will probably set his last season favorite 4-5-1 formation and expectations are tight game is in front, with small number of goals.
After the run of 7 (seven) consecutive defeats, Plymouth noticed two victories, over the fellows from the bottom - Peterborough United (2-1 at home) and against “you’ll never know what to expect from us” - Scunthorpe United (2-1 on the road). Another defeat (at Blackpool, 0-2) turned them back into relegation zone. After the game, boss Paul Sturrock stated the main reason for defeat is 11 hours spent in the bus! Hm…,ok. The problem is squad didn’t return to Devon after the game and spent two days at Stoke-on-Trent (half of the distance). So, players won’t be much more rested than at Saturday. Sturrock announced intention to fresh the squad with new players (what players?!) but the question is are the lads from the bench capable to improve the team’s shape and help to resist at one hell’s place, as Ashton Gate surely is. Club’s officials have insisted that Paul Sturrock's job as manager is safe (those statements usually means opposite) despite the arrival of former Argyle and England striker Paul Mariner as head coach. And Blackpool defeat didn’t help. However, lack of quality, tired players, bad dressing room atmosphere and manager who lost control should be the main reasons (in that order) why I (guess nobody) don’t expect them to take anything from this encounter. Except mentioned freshening the squad, no other injury concerns for Sturrock.
