


Micky Adams’ Sheff Utd side have a tiny chance of achieving Championship safety
"It was the Blades' second consecutive 3-2 win, and the fact they have ground out those two successes shows they are prepared to fight for their survival."
For different reasons, Sheff Utd and Millwall need three points on Saturday, whilst Crystal Palace will be delighted if they can secure a point at Hull. Andrew French explains all.
Sheff Utd v Barnsley
Even to have a chance of staying up, Sheffield United need everything to go their way both this weekend and next. All they can do is win and hope - and I think they have every chance of doing the former. The Blades were all but down when they trailed 2-0 at Reading on Monday, but an amazing rally to win that game has given them a slender lifeline. It was the Blades' second consecutive 3-2 win, and the fact they have ground out those two successes shows they are prepared to fight for their survival. Visitors Barnsley have nothing to play for but pride - and they have won only once in their last eight outings. They have not won any of their last eight away games and, having conceded at least once in each of their last nine games, the evidence points to the home side being able to find the net.
Back Sheff Utd at [2.18]
Millwall v Swansea
One of four teams fighting for the last play-off slot, Millwall are on something of a roll - and how often do we see teams come from outside the top six with a charge at the end of the season? The Lions have won six of their last nine and were lethal in putting away a woeful Preston side at The Den last weekend, following up by just about sending Scunthorpe down to League One with a win at Glanford Park on Monday. Visitors Swansea are assured of being involved in the play-offs, but are not in the greatest form. Monday's win over Ipswich was their first in four attempts, and they have lost more away matches this season (11) than any other team in the top 10. They particularly struggle when visiting the division's better teams, losing seven of their nine games away to top-half opposition.
Back Millwall at [2.46]
Hull v Crystal Palace
A point will be good enough to make sure Palace are playing Championship football again next season, and while no team will ever admit to playing for a draw, you couldn't blame Palace for looking to keep it tight in this one. Their away record suggests they can't risk being too cavalier; their 16 defeats is the highest in the division and their sole victory on the road was way back on October 10. However, the Eagles have been far harder to beat on their travels lately, drawing their last two at Doncaster and Leicester. In fact, their recent run of two defeats in seven shows they have knuckled down just when they've needed to. Hosts Hull can, conceivably, still finish sixth - but it would take an incredible sequence of results. Instead, they are set for a mid-table finish and their home form must give Palace plenty of hope. The Tigers have failed to win 15 of their 22 matches at the KC Stadium, and have been beaten at home by two of the bottom three sides already this season.
Lay Hull at [1.86]
Since the start of 2011 Andrew has had 38 winning bets from 57 selections, resulting in a profit of £203.17 (£10 stake/liability on each selection)
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