[Albion] Eye on the Championship 9/4/16

[Bozza]

It's difficult to see many points being dropped by the top teams this weekend, although Sheffield Wednesday's game might prove to be a banana skin.

Burnley v Leeds (12:30)
Bristol City v Sheff Wed
Derby v Bolton
Fulham v Cardiff
Huddersfield v Hull
Ipswich v Brentford
Middlesbrough v Preston
MK Dons v Rotherham
QPR v Charlton
Reading v Birmingham
Wolves v Blackburn

Current sequences:

Wins: Sheffield Wednesday - 4, Middlesbrough - 3
Defeats: Bolton - 4, MK Dons and Forest - both 3
Since a win: Bolton - 10, Birmingham, MK Dons and Forest - all 5
Since a draw: Blackburn - 12, Brentford - 10, Middlesbrough - 9
Since a loss: Burnley - 17, Albion - 8, Rotherham - 7
Since a clean sheet: Bolton - 16, Fulham and Huddersfield - both 8

 

[Triggaaar]

It's difficult to see many points being dropped by the top teams this weekend, although Sheffield Wednesday's game might prove to be a banana skin.

We're not competing against Derby or Sheffield. 3 important games tomorrow.

 

[Moshe Gariani]

It's difficult to see many points being dropped by the top teams this weekend, although Sheffield Wednesday's game might prove to be a banana skin.

Burnley v Leeds (12:30)
Bristol City v Sheff Wed
Derby v Bolton
Fulham v Cardiff
Huddersfield v Hull
Ipswich v Brentford
Middlesbrough v Preston
MK Dons v Rotherham
QPR v Charlton
Reading v Birmingham
Wolves v Blackburn

An accumulator on the six emboldened teams to all win must be a practical certainty to come in.

 

[Guinness Boy]

Banker three points for Burnley. Can't see Leeds' centre backs coping with the pace of Grey and subsequent corner bombardment.

 

[Bozza]

We're not competing against Derby or Sheffield. 3 important games tomorrow.

Maybe, but as I see us the outsiders of the 3/4 pushing for automatics, I still very much have an interest in the play-offs shake up.

 

[WhingForPresident]

I have a feeling that Burnley and Hull will both drop points.

Whilst Preston do have the 6th-best away record in the division, I can't see them doing us a favour on this occasion.

 

[Peter Grummit]

As we know, Preston in defensive mode are a tough nut to crack. I suspect they will revert to their ultra-cautious approach given the opposition and their relatively poor run recently.

You never quite know which Leeds will turn up, but we know Burnley have struggled recently (3 straight draws) so it may not be straightforward.

PG (ever the optimist)

 

[Easy 10]

What a lovely little run of home games Boro are in the middle of - Huddersfield, Preston, Reading. Huddersfield have already been dispatched, really can't see them getting anything other than 9 points out of 9 there, that's fallen VERY nicely for them hasn't it. I guess the Reading game was re-arranged due to their cup run.

 

[Bozza]

Being 17 points away from safety currently, Bolton look set to be relegated this weekend.

 

[Tim Over Whelmed]

I believe one of Burnley or Boro will drop points this weekend. Preston are really on a roll at the moment.

 

[Spicy]

Banker three points for Burnley. Can't see Leeds' centre backs coping with the pace of Grey and subsequent corner bombardment.

Or the thuggery of Barton!

 

[Peter Grummit]

As an aside, it's unfortunate Burnley play after us on 2nd May. It could be a significant advantage to know what they have to do in their penultimate match.

 

[Loftslaces]

I believe that it will all come down to Burnley v Middlesborough and Middlesborough against us - points will most likely be dropped by all three of us in the run in but those two games will be the automatic deciders!

 

[Hotchilidog]

A perfect example of why the championship is so good. On the face of it Burnley, Boro and Hull should all be heavily favoured to win, however each of their opponents offers a sliver of hope to those of us looking for a slip up. Leeds are well err.... Leeds a terrible team that can occasionally muster an annoying fighting spirit. Preston have it in them to frustrate Boro for a while at least (if not thewhole 90), and Hudds play some decent football and Hull seem to be all over the shop.

I do expect Burnley and Boro to win, their firepower up front should be enough to see off tricky opponents, but you never know.....consider that straw well and truly clutched!

 

[Triggaaar]

Maybe, but as I see us the outsiders of the 3/4 pushing for automatics, I still very much have an interest in the play-offs shake up.

Outsiders of the 3, but not the 4. I'm just praying for top two still, so fully focused on the 3 games tomorrow. We'll probably be in the playoffs, but I don't need to care about what the rivals there get up to yet.

 

[sparkie]

Or the thuggery of Barton!

Perhaps Evans will accidently step on his foot ?

 

[Bozza]

Outsiders of the 3, but not the 4. I'm just praying for top two still, so fully focused on the 3 games tomorrow. We'll probably be in the playoffs, but I don't need to care about what the rivals there get up to yet.

I wrote what I did because I knew that if I wrote "outsiders of the 3" someone would highlight that if Hull win tomorrow and we lose on Monday then they are three points behind with a game in hand and a better goal difference. Lots of ifs, I grant you, and I completely agree that I see us as having a better chance than them, but they're still not quite out of it.

In short: Boro and Burnley remain the clear favourites for the top two spots today. By Monday, who knows...

 

[Triggaaar]

Just seen that Burnley are 3/5 on to beat Leeds - blimey that's short (Leeds 6/1)

 

[GOM]

Burnley[/B] v Leeds (12:30)
Bristol City v Sheff Wed
Derby v Bolton
Fulham v Cardiff
Huddersfield v Hull
Ipswich v Brentford
Middlesbrough v Preston
MK Dons v Rotherham
QPR v Charlton
Reading v Birmingham
Wolves v Blackburn

An accumulator on the six emboldened teams to all win must be a practical certainty to come in.

Well worth a punt just to lose

 

[Notters]

Banker three points for Burnley. Can't see Leeds' centre backs coping with the pace of Grey and subsequent corner bombardment.

Hopefully Burnley might come up against a competent referee.