The bookies thought that both of these sides would be battling for a play off place by the end of the season but as it turns out, only Cardiff are matching those expectations. The Bluebirds are currently sat in 6th position although with two games in hand, you’d have to describe their current predicament as pretty strong. Ipswich on the other hand have endured a dreadful season and despite being managed by the strong-minded Roy Keane, the Tractor Boys face more of a relegation battle and sit just one point above the drop zone.

Ipswich’s season has been an utter disaster and it wouldn’t surprise many if Roy Keane finds himself out of a job in the summer. The goal for the Tractor Boys was to gain promotion within two years of Keane’s arrival and while he’s not yet halfway through his tenure, the Portman Road outfit have gone backwards if anything. Consistency has been the main issue and Keane’s men just can’t string a good set of results together. They’ve accumulated far too many draws with the current tally standing at seventeen. They’ve recorded just the one victory in their last five and considering the fact that every single one of those opponents operate on a shoestring budget compared to the Tractor Boys, that is a fact that will be unacceptable to their supporters.

Cardiff on the other hand have been through something of a sticky patch recently although bounced back with a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough at the weekend. That put an end to four straight games without a win although saying that, the Bluebirds are still riding high in the league and sit in 6th. Two points separate them from 7th place Blackpool and considering the fact they have two games in hand over the Seasiders, they are sat in a fantastic position as we enter the final third of the season. Of course, the same was said last season and Dave Jones will know he’s under immense pressure to finally get the Bluebirds into the play off stages.

In terms of team news, Ipswich just have the one concern with Grant Leadbitter sitting out through suspension. The former Sunderland man picked up his tenth yellow card of the season and will therefore be banned for this encounter. As for the visitors, Dave Jones has a few more problems. Peter Whittingham, Steven McPhail, Mark Kennedy and Mark Hudson are all struggling with injury while Joe Ledley continues his long rehabilitation following hip surgery.

As for a prediction, we’re going to go for the draw. Ipswich have drawn an incredible ten games at Portman Road this season and they are up against a side who are statistically one of the best on the road in the division. With that, we think they’ll cancel each other out – 2-2.

It wasn’t so long ago that these two clubs were battling away in the play offs yet now, things have changed hugely. Crystal Palace face a massive fight to stay in the division after being placed in administration, while Bristol City’s heavy investment in the transfer market over the past couple of years hasn’t paid off and the club are languishing in a disappointing 15th position.

Crystal Palace were one of the numerous teams in the country to suffer a ten point penalty after being placed into administration and for that reason, they have the sympathy of many supporters across the nation. Had they not incurred that deduction they would have been looking at the play offs but instead they are just out of the drop zone and that is only due to goal difference. Despite their problems, recent results have been promising and following a 1-1 draw with Doncaster, the Eagles beat promotion hopefuls Sheffield United 1-0 in their last outing. That was Paul Hart’s debut game in charge and with the former Nottingham Forest boss having plenty of experience at this level, supporters of the Selhurst Park outfit will be hoping that he can save them from the drop.

Bristol City are another side who don’t seem to be making progress and that must surely be something that frustrates the Ashton Gate faithful. While Gary Johnson has done a grand job in establishing the club in the division, many big name signings just haven’t paid off and after reaching the play off final a couple of years ago, the club seem to have gone backwards. At the moment they sit in 15th position on forty two points – ten points away from the top six. That suggests that the play offs are well and truly off the agenda this year and Johnson should concentrate on getting to the fifty point barrier which should secure their status in the division.

As for team news, the home side just have the one concern as Neil Danns faces a fitness battle. The former Birmingham man has been struggling with a back problem and at the moment it seems unlikely that he’ll feature in this encounter. Bristol City on the other hand have a few more problems and Gary Johnson will be without Evander Sno and Marvin Elliott who are suffering with back and knee problems respectively. Elsewhere, Johnson will continue to be without Brian Wilson, Jamie McCombe and Jamie McAllister.

As for a prediction, we’re going to go for the home win. Palace will still be under the “new manager syndrome” and will be in high spirits following their victory at the weekend. During tough periods off the field players seem to up their game and we think this could help Paul Hart’s men to a 2-0 victory.

This game features two sides battling for different reasons, as West Brom look to make an immediate return to the top flight while Sheffield Wednesday attempt to exit the relegation zone. Both are coming off the back of unexpected results following the Baggies’ 3-1 defeat to QPR and Wednesday’s shock 2-0 victory over Leicester at the weekend.

Looking at their squad on paper it’s no surprise that West Brom are up there fighting for promotion. What’s more, the club are receiving parachute payments which give them a massive advantage in the transfer market. However, despite these issues, there were still plenty of sceptics following the departure of the experienced Tony Mowbray in the summer and the arrival of Roberto Di Matteo – a man who’d only experienced one season of management, and that was in League One. However, so far, so good, and the Baggies will return to the automatic positions should they manage to avoid defeat in this encounter. While nobody quite expected their defeat to QPR on Saturday, it’s worth bearing in mind that it was Neil Warnock’s first game in charge of Rangers and that will have given them a huge boost. However, it was dropped point s for Di Matteo’s men and he’s got to ensure that his side bounce back against relegation threatened Sheffield Wednesday in this one.

Wednesday on the other hand are experiencing something of a disaster season with both on and off the field troubles. Despite a new chairman being installed at the end of last season, the club have been plagued with stories that administration could be looming and there are no funds for new players. On the field, they’re rooted in the relegation zone and while it’s still early days, new manager Alan Irvine hasn’t had the best effect on the team. Admittedly, his hands are tied behind his back in relation to resources, but Saturday’s victory was only the club’s second in their last six games with the other four being defeats. On the other hand, Irvine should be applauded for getting his side to respond to their 5-0 defeat to Reading with a victory, but there’s no doubt that he still has a huge task to keep this club in the division.

All of West Brom’s team news surrounds their front line as Roberto Di Matteo looks to cope without the presence of Roman Bednar, who will miss out with a groin problem. However, fellow striker Simon Cox should be available despite being stretched off in the Baggies’ previous fixture. It’s all good news for Sheffield Wednesday though with Alan Irvine having absolutely no worries. Following their victory over Leicester, you’d surely assume that the Wednesday chief will name an unchanged side.

As for a prediction, we’re going to have to go for a home win. Sheffield Wednesday may have impressed in their last game, but West Brom’s quality should shine through. Wednesday will definitely put up a fight, but we’ll go for a 1-0 win for the Baggies in this one.