THE WEEKEND PREVIEWS: Division One
Stoke v West Brom This shades Crystal Palace v Norwich as my top pick today simply because both teams are in such good form and both sides have physical strength as well as football acumen, so it promises to be a good contest.
Both Stoke and Albion had excellent results last time out. The Potters were unfortunate not to take all three points in midweek, at Sunderland and are currently just three points away from the play-offs, though there is still a long way to go.
Manager Tony Pulis' main concern, having already reached the 50-point mark, is to get to 54. The point gained at the Stadium of Light means that victory over the Baggies would almost certainly see Stoke clear of an relegation threat and with the pressure off, who knows, a play-off place may be possible, though economics might just frighten the life out of those at the Britannia Stadium if they get anywhere near the Premiership. But that's another story.
West Brom had a super win in midweek, over promotion rivals Wigan, and are 11 points clear in the second automatic promotion place so they may just suffer a little from the complacency that set in, earlier in the campaign, and earned a rebuke from manager Gary Megson.
The Albion boss has reminded his players that Wolves squandered a ten-point advantage the year West Brom stole a march on promotion to the top flight and added: "All it needs is to play badly in two or three games and you have lost your advantage."
Stoke are in a bit of a striking crisis after Chris Iwelumo joined Brighton and Gifton Noel-Williams sustained a dead-leg last weekend and is struggling to make this game. Chris Greenacre, who has slipped into the background due to the form of Ade Akinbiyi, would have stepped up but he injured a knee in midweek reserve action so is unlikely to feature.
City have lost just one game in their last seven, scoring 16 goals, whilst West Brom have one of the best away records in the division. If the Baggies can impose their superior quality then a victory is on the cards but if Stoke can sustain their physical power then they might just shock Megson's men.
BEARDO'S VERDICT: I think the best Stoke can hope for is a point.
Burnley v Wimbledon
Burnley are just two points above the drop-line and if they cannot beat doomed Wimbledon then Stan Ternent has bigger problems than are already obvious. The Burnley boss has already bemoaned the sale of Gareth Taylor as a big factor in Burnley's struggle but the Dons have had their own problems up front. Centre half Nico Herzig has been deployed as an emergency striker recently but there is relief on the horizon as both Jamie Mackie and Wayne Gray return after injury. VERDICT: A home win should give the Clarets hope.
Crewe v Cardiff
The Alex have slipped dangerously close to the relegation zone after their heavy defeat at West Ham. Still enigmatic, Crewe won at Wigan recently, it depends on which Alex team turns up on the day. They usually do well against Cardiff but, without the steadying influence of the missing David Wright, will Foster and Walker at the heart of the home defence have enough to cope with the pace of 25-goal Rob Earnshaw, I don't think so. VERDICT: A draw is the most Dario can expect from this one.
Crystal Palace v Norwich
Due to an away record that's not really in-keeping with their position as league leaders I worry about Norwich when they go to any club with a potent strike force and with Andy Johnson, 20 plus goals already this season (plus able back-up from Dougie Freedman, Neil Shipperley and Julian Gray) Norwich are capable of goals on the road but is the defence capable of clipping the Eagles' talons, I think not. VERDICT: Home win.
Derby v Nottingham Forest
Pride Park will be some place to be this Saturday. A local derby relegation six-pointer just about sums it up and with home advantage I am going for Paul Peschisolido to make it three scoring games in a row and fire the Rams to a win that could take them out of the drop zone. But a word of warning to Derby, last season's top scorer for Forest, David Johnson, is back and showing signs of last season's form in the midweek draw with Burnley. VERDICT: A home win, but it may be close.
Gillingham v Rotherham
Gillingham are too close to the relegation zone for comfort and that should be incentive enough for a win here. But the Gills are just as likely to lose as win at home as their record shows only one draw. I think this one will be draw number two and that will suit Millers' boss Ronnie Moore, who is still eight points short of his 50-point safety mark. VERDICT: Stalemate.
Ipswich v Watford
Town got back to winning ways against Walsall in the week and Joe Royle will be grateful that Darren Bent, a hat-trick hero at the Bescot, is in form because his side have slipped a bit of late and are currently three points adrift of the last play-off place, although only a point from Reading. Watford have signed full back Chris Baird from Southampton, on loan, and he stands by for an early debut. Due to a spate of injuries, Royle has recalled Alun Armstrong from his loan spell at Bradford City so he should figure in this one. VERDICT: I go for a draw.
Preston v Walsall
Walsall's recent poor run has seen them drop to just above the relegation zone so a win is crucial in this one but an away record of just three wins and ten defeats doesn't offer much hope, particularly as Preston are second only to Ipswich as top home scorers in the division. VERDICT: The most Colin Lee's side can hope for is a point.
Reading v Sunderland
Mick McCarthy's side need a bit of a run if they are to figure in the play-offs while Reading, a point ahead in sixth place, are the last side the Black Cats would want to meet now, especially away from home. The Royals are quite formidable at home, just four defeats, and might just edge this contest against a Sunderland side that are prone to concede goals on the road. VERDICT: A draw is my thinking in this one.
Sheffield United v Bradford City
Blood and guts at Bramall Lane in a no-holds barred Yorkshire derby and the last thing Bryan Robson would want is an injury crisis but that's what he faces, with his defence. Jason Gavin is still suspended and Simon Francis has gone to the Blades, but won't play due to an agreement between the clubs. Robbo also has a goalkeeper problem with Alan Combe suspended and Mark Parton injured so rookie keeper Clint Davies stands by for his full debut. VERDICT: Home win.
Wigan v Coventry
Coventry's recent run has taken them to within shouting distance of the play-off zone while Wigan have stuttered a lot, of late. The JJB Stadium, with an average of around 6,000, usually serves to inspire visiting teams and that could well be the case on Saturday as the Latics have taken just one point from their last three games. Coventry have been rocked by the recall of Martin Grainger, from his loan spell, by Birmingham City but Eric Black doesn't anticipate any real changes to the side that crushed Preston in midweek. VERDICT: Possible away win.
