It wasn’t too long ago that both of these sides were regularly challenging for the top six although now it appears as though expectations have lowered slightly. Sheffield United made the rash decision to sack Kevin Blackwell just two league games into the season and successor Gary Speed is now charged with lifting the Blades from the foot of the table and into the top half. Similarly, Preston haven’t enjoyed the best of starts and Darren Ferguson will be looking to improve his sides points tally of three.

This campaign was always going to be a tough one for Sheffield United considering their parachute payments have now stopped. It meant that the club had to be a lot more stringent in the transfer market and that was perhaps something that Kevin Blackwell struggled to deal with. He was given his marching orders just two games into the season and replacing him was former Wales midfielder Gary Speed. Speed’s first task was arguably the toughest he’ll face all season, with the Blades travelling to the Riverside Stadium to take on Middlesbrough. While they ended up losing that one 1-0, they still put up a good account of themselves and Speed will have been encouraged by the signs of his new team.

Darren Ferguson has attempted something of a rebuilding job with his Preston side and with that, you can forgive the Lilywhites for taking time to gel. Having lost their first two league games, one of which was a 4-0 defeat to Swansea, things have improved in recent weeks and Ferguson’s men managed to see off Portsmouth in their last outing. However, one thing that will be bothering the Deepdale supremo is the club’s dreadful record on the road. Preston have not won in ten away games in a record stretching back to last season and this is something that must change if the club are going to improve.

Sheffield United’s team news focuses on their defence where Gary Speed could hand out two debuts. Stephen Jordan joined the club a few weeks ago but has only now recovered from a calf strain and could be given a start. Elsewhere, after signing for the club at the start of the week fellow defender Jean Calve may also be given a starting place. Similarly, the visitors’ team news is based on defenders. Despite being taken off midway through their game against Bradford, Sean St Ledger should feature in this one. However, former Leicester man Wayne Brown is doubtful due to a calf problem.

In terms of a prediction, we think Sheffield United are clear favourites and will net a comfortable victory here. Preston’s away form is dismal and with a new manager watching, we think the Blades will impress. 2-0, home win.

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Both of these sides are in completely different states, but nobody quite knows how either will perform this season. Since entering the division, Doncaster have improved year on year and their brand of football has brought many admirers. However, some believe that considering their little financial clout, they may have reached their peak. Hull on the other hand are a completely different issue and even though they’ve only just come down from the Premiership, several off the field problems mean that they are by no means favourites to return to the Promised Land.

A mid-table finish in the last campaign certainly pleased Doncaster’s supporters and they had more to shout about during the summer when the club smashed their record transfer and signed Billy Sharp for £1.15m. Most of Sean O’Driscoll’s other business was done on a shoestring although that is something that the former Bournemouth boss has gotten used to over the past few years at the Keepmoat Stadium. Despite the promise shown through the summer, this campaign hasn’t exactly got off to the best start although Rovers still have a respectable four points to their name. A 2-0 victory on the opening day against Preston showed that Donny meant business, although since then results have been indifferent and a 2-1 loss to Altringham and a 4-0 thumping at the hands of Cardiff means that this season will certainly bring a few stumbling blocks. Still, considering the fact they are operating on one of the smallest budgets in the division, any mid-table position will go down very well with their fans.

Financial troubles have meant that Hull have had a disturbed summer although one thing that has gone right is their manager, after Nigel Pearson was appointed in pre-season. Despite a short managerial career, Pearson has a very good C.V already although the task at Hull City is undoubtedly a tough one. However, other than a 4-0 blip against Millwall, Hull have started the season in reasonable fashion and an accumulation of four points is by no means poor. While supporters may expect a promotion push following their recent relegation, Hull’s board would probably be quite satisfied with a mid-table finish just to steady the ship at the KC Stadium.

Doncaster will have to make a lot of late decisions about their team with Sean O’Driscoll giving three players time to prove their fitness. Billy Sharp, John Oster and Shelton Martis are all slight doubts although all three will be assessed right at the death. As for the visitors, Nigel Pearson will be without Paul McShane and Craig Fagan who are both carrying injuries. On the plus side, Kamil Zayatte has fully recovered and should be available for selection.

Both of these sides have the same number of points and both have incurred 4-0 losses already this season. While they do have a few problems off the field, Hull still possess a good squad on paper and for this reason we’re going to tip an away win. 1-0 Hull.

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Both of these sides were tipped for very good campaigns through the summer, with managers Roy Keane and Steve Coppell highly respected bosses who have both managed in the top flight. Since then, Coppell has departed, but there’s no doubting that Bristol City will still be harbouring ambitions of a promotion push. Out of the two it’s Ipswich who have enjoyed the better start though, with the Tractor Boys racking up seven points out of their opening three games to put them into 5^th position.

Last season could only be described as a disaster for Ipswich and it would be fair to say that Roy Keane is under immense pressure to deliver in this campaign. When he joined the club two years ago, Keane set the target as promotion by the end of his second season although judging by the little progress made last year, that looks a little ambitious at the moment. However, ignoring last season’s failures, Ipswich have made a very good start to this campaign with two wins and a draw to their name. Considering the fact that Middlesbrough and Burnley have been amongst their opponents, an accumulation of seven points is a superb statistic and gives the club an excellent footing already.

There’s no doubting that Bristol City supporters have undergone something of a rollercoaster season already following the departure of Steve Coppell just one league game into the season. His successor Keith Millen has been busy working in the transfer market and another two promising players were brought into the club this week. Brett Pitman opted to turn down Premiership side Blackpool and join City from Bournemouth, while fellow striker Jon Stead also signed for the club this week – coincidently from Saturday’s opponents Ipswich. On first view, it appears as though it’s the defence that City need to sure up though. Seven goals have been conceded in the league this season – with Millwall and Barnsley getting three each. This poor defensive record means that City have just the two points now and sit just one place above the bottom three.

As for team news, Roy Keane could throw in new signing Jason Scotland who joined the club from Wigan at the start of the week. Elsewhere, defender Gareth McAuley could return after a back problem, but Keane will be without both Andros Townsend and Mark Kennedy who are suspended and injured respectively. Bristol City just have the one problem with Cole Skuse set to miss out through a knee injury. However, Keith Millen has the option of giving debuts to new signings Jon Stead and Brett Pitman, while Kalifa Cisse is also available having recovered from a thigh strain.

Bristol City may be splashing the cash, but there’s no doubting they have serious problems in defence. Ipswich have enjoyed a solid start to the season and we think they will maintain their unbeaten run – 2-1 Tractor Boys.

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These are two sides who were tipped to struggle by the bookies and judging by the start both have had, those predictions seem spot on at the moment. With such a small budget, Scunthorpe are always viewed as relegation candidates while Crystal Palace’s off the field problems means that they probably won’t have the easiest season either. With that, both sides will be viewing this as a must win game.

Scunthorpe lost several key players in the summer and due to that, many saw them as certainties for relegation. However, the Iron surprised everyone with a 2-1 opening day victory over Reading and that gave everyone at the club confidence that this might not be the season of disaster that everyone else is predicting. However, since then things haven’t been quite as successful and the club have lost both of their other league games. However, on the plus side, Nigel Adkins’ men appear to have launched something of a cup run and a 4-2 victory over Sheffield Wednesday a few days ago will have done nothing but good for their confidence. What’s more, new signing Chris Dagnall managed to bag two in that game and with Dagnall seemingly being the direct replacement for the recently departed Gary Hooper, Adkins will be hoping that the former Rochdale man can follow in Hooper’s footsteps.

It’s certainly been a strange old summer for Crystal Palace and while at one point they were faced with the threat of extinction, now they have turned to signing players who have played right at the very top. Dutch legend Edgar Davids joined the club on a pay-as-you-play deal last week and while the former Juventus man hasn’t played much football in the past two years, he will still be a vital man for the Eagles this season. Strangely, while the Selhurst Park outfit appear to be in a position to sign such established players, they have let one of their seemingly better ones go after Alan Lee joined Huddersfield this week. Lee had already notched two goals this season and the decision to let him join the Terriers certainly seems bizarre. Since their opening day victory over Leicester, George Burley’s men have lost their other two league games and because of that, this fixture against Scunthorpe is even more important.

It’s mixed news on the team news front for the home side although to start with, Nigel Adkins will welcome back Rob Jones, Martyn Woolford and David Mirfin who have all been on the treatment table. However, Garry Thomson will miss out, as will Jim McNulty who is struggling with an ankle problem. The visitors on the other hand will be without forward Wilfried Zala who sits out through suspension. Darren Ambrose is expected to shake off a knock and be passed fit though, while Claude Davis could return after serving a ban.

Crystal Palace may have been boosted with Edgar Davids’ arrival, but we think Scunthorpe will get the points in this one. The Iron will have been given a huge confidence boost following their comprehensive victory over Sheffield Wednesday midweek and we think this can inspire them to victory here. 2-1 Scunthorpe.

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There couldn’t be a bigger difference between these two sides, with Barnsley operating on one of the smallest budgets in the division while recently relegated Middlesbrough have splashed out millions in the transfer market this summer. Unsurprisingly, the Tykes have been tipped as relegation favourites by the bookies while Boro are clear favourites for the title. However, after three league games both clubs are on four points and Barnsley will feel as though they have an excellent chance to stifle the visitor’s charge for promotion.

A 4-0 drubbing on the opening day of the season made a few Barnsley fans a little worried, especially since that also meant the Tykes had gone eleven games without a win on run stretching back to last season. However, a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace followed that and following a 3-3 draw at Bristol City, it would be fair to say that the Oakwell faithful are a little more optimistic now. In fact, many were disappointed only to notch a point at Ashton Gate last week after throwing away a 2-0 and a 3-2 lead. Still, four points from a tough opening schedule will have pleased Mark Robins and his aim now will be to try and maintain his sides mid-table placing.

Middlesbrough on the other hand endured a start that to the season that nobody quite predicted. Despite vast investment through the summer, Boro were soundly beaten on the opening day of the season as Ipswich left the Riverside Stadium with a 3-1 win to their name. Since then things have slowly improved following a goalless draw against Leicester and then a 1-0 victory over Sheffield United. That leaves Boro on four points and in 10^th position and while only three games have passed, manager Gordon Strachan will know that his new-look side must start to gel in order to match pre-season expectations.

As for team news, Mark Robins could have a few problems in this one as he sweats on the fitness of Adam Hammill, Luke Potter and Liam Dickinson. On the plus side however, summer signing Jim O’Brien is recovering well from a thigh injury that has prevented him from making his debut. Middlesbrough on the other hand have a host of problems and Gordon Strachan will have plenty of reshuffling to do. Seb Hines, Tony McMahon, Jonathon Franks, Gary O’Neil, Willo Flood, Rhys Williams, Nick Bailey and Kevin Thomson are all set to miss out giving Boro some serious injury concerns.
 
Barring the opening day, Barnsley have enjoyed a reasonable start to the season and finally found some goals following last week’s 3-3 result against Bristol City. Middlesbrough on the other hand still appear to be finding their feet and with that, we’re going to predict an exciting 2-2 draw in this one.

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