The Sky Bet EFL is back for another weekend of action and Ian Holloway returns too with his predictions.
[h=3]Preston v Wigan*- Friday,*live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7pm[/h]Preston are moving in the right direction as showed by their midweek defeat of Bournemouth in the EFL Cup. I wouldn't get too carried away with their 5-0 defeat last weekend against Brentford as four of those goals came late on - they're much better than that and Simon Grayson won't let that happen again.*
I'm not sure which way Wigan are going - they still seem to be finding their feet at this level. Home win.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-0*(Sky Bet odds 15/2)
[h=3]Preston vs Wigan[/h]
September 23, 2016, 7:00pm
Live on
[h=3]Aston Villa v Newcastle*- Saturday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 5.15pm[/h]I've gone through this game a million times in my head and have come out with a different prediction each time. It's going to be a brilliant clash played in a sensational atmosphere, but it's very tough to call. The first goal in this game will be more important than usual.
Aston Villa v Newcastle stats (Credit: WhoScored.com)
If Aston Villa get it, they could go on and win quite comfortably as the fans will be with them. However, a first goal the other way could lead to a very open game and that will suit Newcastle. I'm on the fence.*
On a side note, Jack Grealish needs to sort his life out. There's no use having talent if you're not going be committed to your craft. Roberto Di Matteo is the perfect man to deal with him, but you can't make someone listen, he has to want to listen.
Aston Villa are conducting an investigation into Jack Grealish's off-field conduct
However, the problem is that some of these young kids get too much too soon and they're not taught to listen. The power has gone the wrong way, it's skewed far too much in the favour of the players.*
OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-1*(Sky Bet odds 5/1)
[h=3]A Villa vs Newcastle[/h]
September 24, 2016, 5:15pm
Live on
[h=3]Sheffield Wednesday v Nottingham Forest - Saturday, 3pm[/h]This game should be full of goals. Only Barnsley have scored more than Nottingham Forest in the league this season while Sheffield Wednesday have an array of talent in forward areas. I like what*Philippe Montanier has got going at Forest - they're a very attack-minded side and this might be a good time to play Wednesday, who haven't hit full stride yet.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-2 (Sky Bet odds 22/1)
[h=3]Reading v Huddersfield*- Saturday, 3pm[/h]I love everything about what Huddersfield have got going - the team spirit, the creativity - but Reading are on a seven-match unbeaten run. Hiring Jaap Stam could end up being a very inspired move. He knows what he wants and you aren't going to argue with him. John Swift looks to have a brilliant eye for goal and he can be the match-winner here.*
OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 8/1)
Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship match between Huddersfield and QPR
[h=3]QPR v Birmingham*- Saturday, 3pm[/h]This is the first league game at Loftus Road since QPR got battered 6-0 by Newcastle*- the home fans will be expecting a reaction, but a result like that will knock the belief in the squad.
The foundations have been shaken*and it's now up to Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink to stabilise everything. That dugout can be a tough place to be when it's going against you - I remember one woman throwing her season ticket at me once and that was the year we won promotion!*Everyone must stick together. Forget about being flamboyant, it's time for hard graft.
Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship match between QPR and Newcastle
That might not be enough to stop Birmingham, though, who have an identity about them and are very adept at winning games away from home.**
OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-2*(Sky Bet odds 13/2)
[h=3]Leeds v Ipswich*- Saturday, 3pm[/h]Leeds have won their last two home games but they haven't kept a clean sheet at Elland Road for 11 matches. I've got a theory of never betting against a Mick McCarthy team away from home and it usually comes up trumps. Score draw.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-2*(Sky Bet odds 18/1)
[h=3]Derby v Blackburn*- Saturday, 3pm[/h]My feelings about the*Derby squad are pretty clear, but I'm still sure Nigel Pearson will turn things around despite his team only scoring two goals in eight league matches. They'll double that tally here though.
I don't think Blackburn have enough about them to go and win at the iPro Stadium. I'm glad they won last week but before that*they couldn't win the lottery if they were the only team that bought a ticket. Derby's numbers will come up this weekend.*
OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 8/1)
Highlights of the EFL Cup third-round match between Derby and Liverpool
[h=3]Norwich v Burton - Saturday, 3pm[/h]You know exactly what you're going to get from Norwich. They don't flap. They don't panic. The players rarely let their manager down.*I can't fault anything about Norwich - it's a very unique football club in a lovely part of the world. I'd love to see Burton upset the odds, but Norwich have four of their five home games this season and have just beaten Everton.*
OLLIE PREDICTS: 3-1*(Sky Bet odds 12/1)
Norwich beat Everton 2-0 at Goodison Park in the EFL Cup
[h=3]Fulham v Bristol City - Saturday, 3pm[/h]Lots of people will be going for a repeat 2-1 win for Bristol City, who won there on Wednesday. But as Wolves showed at Newcastle, it's very rare for a game to end in the same result. I think Fulham will nick this one.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-1*(Sky Bet odds 10/1)
[h=3]Scunthorpe v Sheffield United*- Saturday, 3pm[/h]Chris Wilder has got things bubbling nicely at The Blades. Once he gets people turned the right way, that momentum is hard to stop. Scunthorpe have had a fantastic start, but United have won the last four. Away win.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 0-2 (Sky Bet odds 8/1)
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