Championship midweek preview week 3

   

The last round of matches had some large wins for teams such as Middlesbrough beating Bolton 3-0 and Brentford beating Bristol City 4-2 away from home. 

There is still 2 teams yet to get a point this season and will be eager for their first win of the season.

This is the first set of midweek games of the season in the league, though all teams will have played last week in the middle of the week. This will show the depth in each of the teams as they will all be back in action next weekend as well some of the teams will play the following mid week in the League Cup second round.

This round of fixtures’ stand out game is Derby County vs Middlesbrough. This will feature two of the promotion favorites this year in a closely fought battle between two heavy weights of the league who have spent quite a bit of cash this transfer window.

Cardiff vs Blackburn Rovers-Tuesday 18th August 19:45-Cardiff City Stadium

Cardiff managed to fight back from a 2-0 deficit against QPR to draw 2-2 with a last minute equaliser from Cardiff’s Malone. Cardiff had 62% of the possession but couldn’t find the net with all the possession that they had. 

This will need to change as Blackburn are good in the field and good in defense so Cardiff wont be too dominant in possession so they will need to learn to take their chances in order to win Blackburn.

Blackburn managed to scrape a draw against Huddersfield in a poor performance. A goal for Delfouneso in the 60th minute was enough for Blackburn to scrape a point. They only managed to have 5 shots in total and only 2 on target. This is what needs to be worked on in training this week. 

If they fail to bring a good striker in to partner Rhodes, they will find this season hard. If they lose Rhodes then they may find this season a really tough season.

Predicted Score-The only striking force that Blackburn have is Rhodes and he is doubtful after a tackle with Whitehead and Cardiff will take advantage of this. Cardiff 2-0 Blackburn Rovers.

Derby County vs Middlesbrough-Tuesday 18th August 19:45-IPRO Stadium

Derby County have had two draws consecutively and don’t look the strong team that they are made out to be. Draws against Bolton and Charlton aren’t the best results that the fans could have hoped for, especially if they are thinking of promotion. 

It isn’t the amount of chances that they have had as they had 26 shots in total, it is someone who can get the shots on target and in the back of the net. This was what Ince was meant to do but he seems not to be doing his job.

Middlesbrough suffered a lack of chances in their first game against, however this wasn’t the case against Bolton. They had 17 shots with 7 on target and they looked on top of things the whole match.
Diego Fabbrini was the stand out player for Boro as he scored 1 goal and set the other 2 up. He looked unstoppable and will certainly play a big part in the game as if Derby’s defense is week then Fabbrini will definitely take advantage of this and will add to his goal tally.

Predicted Score-Derby have looked weak up front in the last two games and wont get past a strong Boro defense, if Derby are weak up front then Boro may get a few goals. Derby 0-2 Middlesbrough

Huddersfield vs Brighton and Hove Albion-Tuesday 18th August 19:45-John Smiths Stadium
Huddersfield drew with Blackburn on Saturday after Wells scored an early goal, only for Blackburn’s Delfouneso to score in the second half. If Huddersfield were to keep hold of matches better and strengthen up the defense then they will have a good chance but Brighton have got 6 points out of 6 and are strong up front.
Brighton are on a bit of good form, which is a relief to the fans after a bad season last year. If they keep up the way they are playing then they might be near the top in May. They did just win Fulham at Craven cottage though after a 90th minute winner got them the 3 points. They could win Huddersfield if they are strong up front.

Predicted Score-Brighton are a better team than Huddersfield but I think they will draw in the end. Huddersfield 1-1 Brighton.

Ipswich Town vs Burnley-Tuesday 18th August 19:45-Portman Road

Ipswich beat Sheffield Wednesday in a 2-1 win at Portman Road on Saturday. They went 1-0 down after 19 minutes but scored 2 goals to get the 3 points in the end. 
They started off slow but then gained the momentum that took them on to win the game. They will want to start strong as well as finish strong in order to beat Burnley who will take advantage if Ipswich fall weak and this will cost them the game.

Burnley have managed to get 2 draws in their first 2 games of the season. A late goal from substitute Taylor salvaged a point for Burnley against Birmingham. 

They have relied on the defence weakening in the last 10 minutes of the game and this wont happen to Ipswich. Ipswich are highly trained and experienced and wont weaken towards the end. Burnley will have to work on the force up front if they and to stand a chance against Ipswich.

Predicted Score-Ipswich are a strong team and Burnley have relied on weakening the team in the last few minutes. Ipswich 2-0 Burnley.

MK Dons vs Bolton-Tuesday 18th August 19:45-Stadium MK 

MK Dons lost 1-0 to Preston on Saturday at Stadium MK. They had the majority of the shots and possession, but couldn’t find the back of the net. 

This will be a problem as goals are crucial in this league as some positions at the end of season are decided on goal difference. Bolton will be wanting to make up for a bad display at Boro so Dons will need to up their game should they want to win.

Bolton lost 3-0 in a bad performance, especially in the first half. Manager Neil Lennon took all the blame as he made the decision to put 3 defenders in defence rather than 4 which cost them so much. 

They were better at the back when they had 4 at the back, but by that time Boro were 3 goals up and weren’t bothered in any more goals and were dominant at back. Bolton need to be stronger in defence if they want to beat MK Dons.

Predicted Score-Bolton will have sorted out the tactical error but MK Dons are quite strong. MK Dons 2-1 Bolton.

Nottingham Forest vs Charlton Athletic-Tuesday 18th August 19:45-The City Ground

Nottingham Forest just beat Rotherham after coming from 1-0 down. Goals from Antonio and Mills saw the 3 points but this was hard fought in a game that looked like Forest should have won. 

20 shots in total will need to change as Charlton aren’t easy to score against and if they are to beat them then they will need to be more on target. This will only be won if the strikers Walker and Ward are on top form.

Charlton haven’t lost as they beat QPR and the drew with Derby County. They have a good attacking fore and they are quite good in defence. The attacking force will be able to break through Nottingham’s defence easily as it isn’t the strongest and will need working on. 

Charlton were tipped to go down but if they keep on with this form then they may be up with the promotion contenders.

Predicted Score-Charlton are the stronger team but Forest wont want to disappoint. Forest 1-1 Charlton.

Rotherham vs Preston North End-Tuesday 18th August 19:45-New York Stadium

Rotherham are one of the teams that haven’t got 1 point in the opening 2 games as they lost 4-1 to MK Dons and 2-1 to Nottingham Forest. They aren’t a strong attacking side or defensive side and this will need to change if they want to stay up this season. 

Preston wont be an easy game for Rotherham as they will be constantly attacking a weak defense in order to win Rotherham. If Rotherham can resist then they may have a chance.

Preston beat MK Dons 1-0 though they were the worse of the 2 teams. Jordan Hugill getting sent off didn’t help either. Though he is a regular substitute, he has the ability to add to the force if Preston require more force to overcome their opponents. 
Preston are 1 of 2 teams that haven’t conceded a goal in the opening 2 games of the season. Their defense is strong but whether or not they can keep it up will be seen.

Predicted score- Preston are a strong defensive side but don’t have a deep enough squad and will struggle. Rotherham 1-1 Preston.

Bristol City vs Leeds United-Wednesday 19th August 19:45-Ashton Gate

Bristol City are the other team that has not got any points and they will be anxious to get some in order to avoid a relegation scrap after they had just been promoted. 

They lost 4-2 to Brentford on Saturday which they didn’t perform well after they went down to 10 men. Luke Freeman got sent off but before they looked good and strong.
Leeds have managed 2 draws in their opening 2 games. They drew 0-0 in a boring game against Reading on Sunday in which it looked like neither team wanted the match. 

If Leeds wish to get more than 1 point against Bristol then they will need to play with some intensity that they have lacked in the previous matches.

Predicted score-Leeds lack the intensity that they need to beat Bristol City who will go all out for their first points. Bristol City 1-0 Leeds.

Hull City vs Fulham-Wednesday 19th August 19:45-KC Stadium

Hull drew against a strong Wolves team on Sunday in which a Jelavic penalty saw Hull go 1-0 up only for them to let a second half equalizer peg them back.

They will need to keep their defense strong throughout the match and not let this happen again if they wish to come off with the full 3 points.
Fulham lost 2-1 to Brighton at Craven Cottage on Saturday after Hemed got a late winner in injury time. This was down to a sudden lapse in the defense which cost them a point that could be crucial towards the end of the season. However Fulham looked a strong side and could beat Hull.

Predicted score- Both teams are similar but there will be goals in this game. Hull 2-2 Fulham.

Sheffield Wednesday vs Reading-Wednesday 19th August 19:45-Hillsborough Stadium

Sheffield Wednesday lost to Ipswich despite going in front in the first half. A weak defense cost them the game as well as not taking their chances. 

These will need to be worked on if they wish to beat Reading this week. One of the main players they will need to play is Nuhiu as he will score goals for Wednesday.
Reading had a 0-0 draw against Leeds on Sunday in an uneventful game. Wednesday have a strong defense so the strikers need to be at the top of their game for Reading will need to be strong in order to beat Wednesday’s defense. This will only be achieved with hard work and getting a bit more excitement up front. 

Predicted score- Both teams lacked excitement at the weekend and that will be apparent in this game too. Sheffield Wednesday 0-0 Reading

Wolvehampton Wanderers vs QPR-Wednesday 19th August 19:45-Molineux Stadium

Wolves managed to score a second half equalizer against Hull to leave with a 1-1 draw on Sunday. They were exciting and strong up front. There is talk of Benik Afobe moving to another club which would be a huge loss for Wolves. 

He is an exciting player who is capable of being top scorer this season and would be greatly missed by Wolves.
QPR have had a disappointing start as they lost 2-0 to Charlton then drew 2-2 to Cardiff even though they were 2-0 up at one point. 

Charlie Austin is looking to leave which would be bad for QPR as without him they have no real goal scorers and would be worse off if he departs as he is their key player.

Predicted score- QPR aren’t a huge force at the moment where as Wolves are looking strong. Wolves 2-0 QPR.