19 / 01 / 2013

Man City v Fulham

Man City shouldn’t experience too many problems in overcoming Fulham in this weekend’s fixture. Their opponents have been stuttering this season, winning just 2 in 10. These wins came against a Newcastle side who have their own problems this season and against a West Brom side who have been out of form. City, on the other hand, have been picking up the points needed to just about keep them in touch with United in the title race. Their home form this season has seen them play effectively, picking up 8W 2D and just 1D, scoring 25 goals in the process (averaging 2.27 goals per game) while conceding just 9. Over the last 3 seasons Fulham have failed to get the better of City, losing twice last season, including a 3-0 away defeat. I feel Fulham’s defence is relatively weak, and it would be no surprise to me to see City exploit the lack of pace that they possess.

Leeds v Bristol

Leeds’ inconsistency this season has deservedly left them sitting in 11^th position in the league courtesy of a record of W11 D5 L11, so invariable they are either good, or bad. If we separate home and away games, and focus solely on the home matches, the record stands at W8 D2 L3, which is impressive. Somewhat surprisingly their goals statistics in the home games read scored 19, conceded 17, which implies that they struggling to really get firing infront of goal yet find defending somewhat troublesome too. Fortunately they face a Bristol City side who have the same issues away from home just on a grander scale. On their travels Bristol have W3 D2 L8, scoring just 14 and conceding 21. Leeds United have lost just once in their last six home games, winning four and drawing the other one. The goals for column just outweighs the goals against over this period, 8 to 7. Bristol City have an average recent record on the road, picking up two good wins, but losing three, from the last six. The Robins have scored 8 goals in these games, but conceded an alarming 10. I don’t expect Leeds to run riot, but i expect them to just be that little bit too good this weekend.

Watford v Huddersfield

I really fancy Watford to do the job in this fixture. They got the better of Huddersfield when they travelled up north in September in a 2-3 result. This came after Huddersfield had began Championship life impressively, and on the back of a 6 game unbeaten run and 3 successive victories. Watford’s squad had been completely overhauled at this point, and since then they have had time to bond together. Watford’s home form has been inconsistent but good enough for them to remain at the top end of the table, with a record of W6 D2 L5, scoring 20 and conceding 15. Huddersfield’s away form is similar, W4 D3 L6 scoring 15 and conceding 25. So results wise they aren’t too dissimilar, but it is in the goals statistics that I feel this game can be won. In the Home/Away GD’s, Watford are +5 whilst Huddersfield are -10. Recent form doesn’t do the away side any favours either, as they are winless in  the last 11 league games, whilst Watford have won 6 and drew 2 of their last 10 games. A home win for me here.

 

Swindon v Shrewsbury

Interestingly for this fixture, both sides haven’t experienced too many defeats recently. You have to go back to the 24^th November for the last time Swindon tasted defeat, whilst Shrewsbury last lost on the same date. Since then, due to the relative ambitions of the sides, both of them will be pleased with their run of results. Shrewsbury have gone unbeaten, drawing 6 and winning 2 games, whilst Swindon have also remained unbeaten, winning 4 and drawing 2. Perhaps playing what will be their 9^th game in 56 days, averaging a game every 6 days, may have an effect on the Shrewbury squad, who face a Swindon side who will be playing what will be their 7^th game in this 56 day period, at an average of a game every 8 days. Swindon have a decent home record; W7 D4 L3, scoring 30 goals and conceding just 8. Away from home Shrewsbury have struggled, with W1 D6 L7, scoring just 13 goals and conceding 20. Swindon have the better of their opponents in head to heads, beating them earlier in the season 0-1, whilst in the home game last season they won 2-1. Although there is a degree of unease at Swindon currently, I feel that DiCanio will not allow his sides on-field performances suffer.

Doncaster v Leyton Orient

After going through a purple patch, Leyton Orient have stuttered recently, whereas Doncaster have maintained a prolonged period of great form. Despite having indifferent home form, Doncaster should be able to overcome an opponent who are equally as topsy turvy away from home. Doncaster have a home record of W6 D2 L5 whilst Leyton Orient have an away record of W5 D1 L6. Neither side have scored too many goals in their relative home/away fixtures, so I wouldn’t expect the goals to flow in this one. Earlier in the season Doncaster won 0-2 away from home, and I fully expect them to do the double here.

 

Additional to make 7fold

Rochdale v Gillingham

Bristol Rovers v Exeter