The weekend’s matches

By: Matt P | March 13th, 2008

Watford v Stoke

Second play third in the big match of this weekend as Stoke travel to Watford. Both have been in a mixed run of form with the Potters managing a defeat, draw and a victory in their last three matches while the Hornets haven’t lost in five but also haven’t won.

Bristol v Plymouth

If results go right for them Fellow automatic promotion hopefuls Bristol City could move four points clear at the top as they host Plymouth, with the Robins looking for their first to turn their recent run of three draws into a victory and the Pilgrims looking for a goalie.

Burnley v Wolverhampton Wanderers

Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers meet at Turf Moor knowing that a win for the Clarets would push them into the play-off places and a victory for Wolves would take them within touching distance.

Coventry v Sheffield Wednesday

Twentieth play twenty-first as Coventry face Sheff Wednesday in a match both desperately need to win. The Owls have won their last two whilst the Sky Blues are looking for revenge after losing 2 v 1 in the reverse fixture earlier in the season. Sheffield have recently signed Portsmouth winger Franck Songo’o on a month’s loan.

Hull v Southampton

Hull, looking to consolidate their place in the top six, face an in-form Southampton side who have drawn four and won one of their last five matches. The Saints have recently signed former England international Michael Ricketts on loan whilst the Tigers have top-scorer Dean Windass back in contention after missing the last seven games having been forced to have surgery on a troublesome knee complaint.

Crystal Palace v Barnsley

FA Cup giant-killers Barnsley travel to Selhurst Park hoping to ease their relegation fears. The Tykes are only five points from the relegation zone and they face a Palace side still in contention for the play-offs; the Eagles sit just two points off sixth.

Ipswich v Charlton

Ipswich, another side still in the hunt for promotion, host Charlton, a team looking for some consistency as they seek to defend their place in fifth. The Addicks have lost the last two games whilst Tractor Boys look to bounce back after their 4 v 1 thumping at Barnsley in mid-week.

QPR v Scunthorpe

Second-from-bottom Scunthorpe travel south to face mid-table QPR. The Iron sit four points off safety while the R’s couldn’t be much more central; they find themselves eight points off the play-offs and seven points off the relegation spots.

Sheffield Utd v Norwich

Neither Sheff Utd nor Norwich are yet safe in the Championship with United sitting six points and Norwich, five points, from twenty-second spot. The Blades have won their last two games whilst the Canaries have not won in four and this week saw Neil Doncaster, Nowich Chief Executive, saying there would be ‘major surgery’ on the squad in the summer.

West Bromwich Albion v Leicester City

West Brom in fourth face Leicester who recently dropped into the relegation spaces after a 1 v 0 defeat at Southampton. Whilst the Baggies could go top if they win their games-in-hand they need to ensure they get points on the board in order to not lose touch with those around them. The Foxes need to remember how to score a goal having not scored in three games despite largely matching their opponents in each match and often having more chances on goal than those teams. Leicester are still without Captain Steve Clemence and midfielder Jamie Clapham.

Blackpool v Preston North End

The Lancaster derby sees two teams sitting only a point apart face one another in match that could ease either sides relegation fears. The Seasiders could move into the top half with a victory whilst the Lillywhites look to build on their wins against Charlton and Wolves. Preston have Liam Chilvers and Craig Beattie ruled out after recent injuries.

Photos from Barnsley FC and West Brom FC