Brighton v Leicester Preview
Posted on | February 4, 2012 | No Comments
Expectations for both of these sides were completely contrasting at the start of the season, with newly-promoted Brighton tipped to struggle while big-spending Leicester were seen as clear favourites for the title. With that, the league table is simply unbelievable to look at, with Brighton sat several places higher than their opponents in 11th as Leicester occupy 13th.
Having started the season frantically, some people thought that Brighton could surprise all and launch a serious bid for a second successive promotion. However, their form did tail off and on current viewing, it looks as though Gus Poyet’s men will have to be contempt with a mid-table position. Of course, the more optimistic Brighton supporters may be looking towards a top six place, with the Seagulls currently sat just four points away from the playoffs. There is no doubt that confidence at the Falmer Stadium is sure to be high at the moment, with the club putting together a superb run through January that saw them remain unbeaten. Having also won five games through that period, it could be said that supporters have every right to be optimistic and they should be looking at the top places as we enter the final few months of the season.
Leicester on the other hand have raised more than their fair share of eyebrows this season, with everybody gobsmacked at the way their multi-million pound stars just haven’t clicked. If there ever was a case of money failing to buy success, this is it, with the Foxes nowhere near the promotion picture as seven points keep them away from the top six. It has to be said that the club’s form has improved slightly over recent weeks, with the King Power Stadium outfit losing just one of their last eight games. Some supporters may also be encouraged by the fact that Nigel Pearson’s men have managed to take four points off high flying Middlesbrough and Southampton over the last couple of weeks.
There’s plenty of good news to report for Brighton ahead of this clash, with Gus Poyet first having to decide whether or not to hand starts to new signings Gonzalo Jara Reyes and Joe Mattock. Poyet will also be able to select both Kazenga LuaLua and Mauricio Taricco after they recovered from spells on the treatment table. Leicester are in a similar position, with Nigel Pearson having no fresh concerns. Pearson could decide to hand debuts to new signings Wes Morgan and Ben Marshall, who both joined the club in the run up to deadline day.
As for a prediction, our tip is going to be a Leicester victory. While Brighton’s form over recent weeks has been superb, we think the Foxes are slowly improving and we expect Nigel Pearson’s men to record a narrow 1-0 victory.
Coventry v Ipswich Preview
Posted on | February 4, 2012 | No Comments
Despite the vast difference in budgets between these two sides, one will be surprised to see that Coventry and Ipswich don’t actually sit that far apart in the table. With very little resources to play with, Coventry are matching pre-season expectations as they occupy bottom spot, but many cannot believe the plight that Ipswich find themselves in as they sit just several places higher in 19th.
With seven points already keeping them adrift of safety, some people have already started to write Coventry’s chances of survival off. Moreover, with the transfer window now closed, the Sky Blues cannot rely on any big name signings to pull them out of this predicament should they be taken over. The story of the Ricoh Arena outfit really has been ‘one step forward, two steps back’ as inconsistency has blighted their campaign. Having comfortably beaten Middlesbrough 3-1 a couple of weeks ago, many thought that Andy Thorn’s men were set to turn a corner. However, after conceding two goals in the last three minutes against Blackpool last week, Coventry threw away their 1-0 lead and also threw away a big chance to pull away from bottom spot. However, the club approach this game with some relatively good home form, having won three from their last four at the Ricoh Arena.
Even though Ipswich are just a handful of places above their opponents, you would have to think that relegation is not an issue with seven points currently separating them from the drop zone. However, the club are certainly not matching their expectations and many believe it is just a matter of time before Paul Jewell is relieved from his duties. Still, there is at least some hope, after the Tractor Boys recorded a triumphant 5-1 victory over league leaders West Ham last week. However, that victory was a rarity and the club’s supporters certainly won’t be confident ahead of this game, with Ipswich losing their last four on the road.
As for team news, Coventry are set to hand a debut to new loan signing Oliver Norwood who joined the club earlier in the week. However, it’s not all positive, with a late decision set to be made on Hermann Hreidarsson as he struggles with a shoulder injury. Ipswich on the other hand have no fresh concerns and following their last result, Paul Jewell is likely to keep changes to a minimum. He will have the opportunity to select on loan goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, who is back in contention after completing a ban.
Ipswich may have won their last game comfortably and be much higher in the league than their opponents, but we think Coventry’s home advantage will count for everything and they’ll narrowly win this one 1-0.
Cardiff v Blackpool Preview
Posted on | February 4, 2012 | No Comments
Expectations for both of these clubs were quite similar at the start of the season, with Cardiff aiming to go one step further than their play off semi-final heartbreak from the last campaign, while Blackpool were looking to bounce straight back to the top flight following relegation. It is unusual for pundits to achieve complete accuracy in these pre-season predictions, yet that appears to be the case here with Cardiff currently sat in 3rd position while Blackpool occupy 7th.
There were quite a few worried Cardiff supporters at the start of the campaign, with many unsure of the new direction their club appeared to be going. Having offloaded many of the big stars during the summer, new manager Malky Mackay was charged with the task of pushing for the top six on a much smaller budget. As it turns out, he is succeeding fantastically, with the Bluebirds within touching distance of the automatic positions as just one point keeps them from 2nd place. In fact, should results go their way this weekend, they could actually lead the division. Judging by recent form, you would be a fool to bet against Mackay’s men as well. The Welsh outfit have lost just one of their last sixteen league encounters, while they approach this fixture full of confidence after managing to grab a point against 2nd place Southampton during the week.
It would be fair to say that Blackpool started the season slowly, but in recent weeks the Seasiders have been making more of a claim for the top six than ever before. Ian Holloway’s men currently sit just one point away from the playoff places, meaning that a victory on Saturday could even take them all the way up to 4th. Just like their opponents, Blackpool have put together some very good form over recent weeks and approach this encounter having lost just one of their last nine in the league. More impressively, the Bloomfield Road outfit have won three of their last four, although some supporters may be slightly concerned ahead of this game with the club winning just one of their last six away from home.
There is just one piece of team news to report for the home side, with Malky Mackay hopeful of including Mark Hudson after he missed recent fixtures with a calf problem. The visitors on the other hand will continue to be without Keith Southern as he struggles with a gashed ankle, while suspension means that Ian Evatt will not feature in this one.
This is definitely one of the more difficult fixtures to predict, with both of these clubs in very good form. However, with Blackpool struggling somewhat with their results away from home, our tip is going to be for a narrow Cardiff victory – 2-1.