|
|
Blackpool v C Palace
at Bloomfield Rd
ko - 15-00 |
|
Blackpool have been boosted with the news loan duo Colin
Hendry and Leam Richardson have been given permission by
Bolton to play. With no new injury or suspension worries boss Steve
McMahon is set to name an unchanged line-up.
Palace manager Trevor Francis awaits
a fitness test on defender Darren Powell before finalising is
starting team. Definitely missing are strikers Dougie Freedman and
Andrew Johnson while Ade Akinbiyi has to be content
with a place on the substitutes bench.
One To Watch Tommy
Black (Palace)
Prediction Blackpool
1-3 Crystal Palace
|
|
Brentford v Derby
at Griffin Park
ko - 15-00 |
|
Keeper Paul Smith is expected to
return to the Brentford line-up having recovered from a virus but Leon
Constantine and Eddie Hutchinson are still sidelined
through injury. On the suspension front its a case of one in and one out with Andrew
Frampton returning and Jamie Fullarton being forced to
miss out.
Derby will be without young striker Izale
McLeod who will serve a one match ban due to five bookings. Robert
Lee could well return after missing the last two games but Craig
Burley and Danny Higginbotham face late fitness tests.
One To Watch Lee
Morris (Derby)
Prediction Brentford
2-1 Derby
|
|
Cambridge v Millwall
at The Abbey Stadium ko - 15-00 |
|
Cambridge have been hit with suspensions with no
less than three players forced to miss out; Terry Fleming, Omer
Riza and Luke Guttridge all unavailable for selection.
Apart from that boss John Taylor has no other worries to contend
with.
Millwall boss Mark McGhee will name
an unchanged side despite watching his side collapse at Ipswich on New Years
Day. The only worry is Andy Roberts who will play through the pain
barrier of sore Achilles.
One To Watch Neil
Harris (Millwall)
Prediction Cambridge
1-1 Millwall
|
|
Cardiff v Coventry
at Ninian Park
ko - 15-00 |
|
Welsh international defender Daniel Gabbidon
is only fit enough for a place on the bench after missing the 1-1 draw with
Swindon on Wednesday. Former Newcastle star Des Hamilton has a
hamstring injury and Fan Zhiyi is banned which paves the way for Graham
Kavanagh to come into the side.
Coventry player boss Gary McAllister
has several injury worries to contend with after Richard Shaw, Morten
Hyldgaard and Dean Holdsworth picked up knocks in the draw
at Sheff Utd. However, the trio are expected to pull through enabling McAllister
to name an unchanged eleven.
One To Watch Richie
Partridge (Coventry)
Prediction Cardiff
1-2 Coventry
|
|
Gillingham v Sheff Wed
at The Preistfield Stadium
ko - 15-00 |
|
The home side are almost certain to be without Rod
Wallace who has failed to recover from a hamstring injury despite the
last two games being called off. Also out are Tommy Johnson and Mamady
Sidebe who are both long-term absentees.
Wednesday boss Chris Turner has been
severely hampered by the news that all four of his loan signings Lee
Bradbury, Garry Monk, Adam Proudlock and Allan
Johnston have been refused to permission to play in the FA Cup by their
respective clubs. Paul McLaren and Kevin Pressman
are also doubtful through injury.
One To Watch Marlon
King (Gillingham)
Prediction Gillingham
2-0 Sheff Wed
|
|
Grimsby v Burnley
at Blundell Park
ko - 15-00 |
|
Player-manager Paul Groves is
awaiting news on Darren Barnard, Paul Raven and Tony
Gallimore before finalising his starting eleven. Definitely unavailable
are Alan Pouton and Jason Gavin who has returned to
Middlesbrough after completing a two-month loan with The Mariners.
Burnley have been decimated by injury and
suspension ahead of the game. Lee Briscoe and Graham Branch
miss out due to injury, Glen Little, Gareth Taylor
and Dean West are banned while Steve Davis and Andy
Payton are long-term absentees. One ray of light for Stan Ternent
is the return of Paul Cook after a shoulder injury.
One To Watch Robbie
Blake (Burnley)
Prediction Grimsby
1-0 Burnley
|
|
Ipswich v Morecambe
at Portman Rd
ko - 15-00 |
|
Thomas Gaardsoe is doubtful for Ipswich after
sustaining a groin injury in the win over Millwall on New Year's Day. Ipswich
are heavily depleted in defence, with Chris Makin suspended and both John
McGreal and Mark Venus injured. Midfielder Matt Holland will again be called on
to play in defence.
Morecambe boss Jim Harvey has just one injury
concern, which is experienced central defender Keith Hill, who has an Achilles
injury, which has forced him to miss the last two games.
One To Watch Darren
Ambrose - Ipswich
Prediction Ipswich 3
Morecambe 0
|
|
Leicester v Bristol City
at The Walkers Stadium
ko - 15-00 |
|
Leicester will be without midfielder Muzzy Izzet
who starts a two-match suspension. Defender Gerry Taggart is also rated doubtful
for the tie as he continues to struggle with a hamstring problem. Callum
Davidson is expected to make a return to the first team squad by starting on the
bench.
Christian Roberts looks certain to be out for
Bristol City after suffering two painful blows to the calf muscle in Wednesday's
defeat at Wycombe, which was the same game that defender Matt Hill got a dead
leg from, he faces a battle to be fit.
One To Watch Paul Dickov
- Leicester
Prediction Leicester
3 Bristol C 1
|
|
Macclesfield v Watford
at The Moss Rose Ground
ko - 15-00 |
|
Macclesfield hope to play midfielder Martin
Nash,
who has been signed on loan from American side Rochester Raging Rhinos, all they
need is the go-ahead from the US for him to play. Manager Moss is also hoping to
include defender George Abbey, who has started training again.
Sean Dyche and Stephen Glass are doubtful for
Watford after missing the 2-2 draw with Portsmouth, Dyche has an Achilles
problem following a foot injury and Glass has yet to recover from a calf injury.
Tommy Smith is pushing for a recall after Gifton Noel-Williams started his first
game of the season in his place on Wednesday.
One To Watch
Neil Cox - Watford
Prediction Macclesfield
1 Watford 2
|
|
Man Utd v Portsmouth
at Old Trafford
ko - 12-30 (sky) |
|
Goalkeeper Fabien Barthez is the main doubt for
Manchester United, but striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is poised to return after
missing two games with a toe infection. Barthez has been under treatment since
injuring a thigh muscle during the win over Sunderland and if the Frenchman
fails to win his fitness battle then Roy Carroll will deputise.
Portsmouth will be without central defender Arjan
De Zeeuw, who sustained a medial knee ligament injury on New Year's Day match
against Watford. Skipper Paul Merson will be hoping to play some part at Old
Trafford after a substitute appearance at Vicarage Road following an ankle
problem and Steve Stone may also return from a hamstring injury.
One To Watch Paul
Scholes - Man Utd
Prediction Man
U 2 Portsmouth 0
|
|
Norwich v Brighton
at Carrow Rd
ko - 15-00 |
|
Norwich defender Steen Nedergaard has a calf injury
and is rated "highly doubtful" to be fit. Darren Kenton may return to
the squad after recovering from a hamstring injury. Goalkeeper Paul Crichton is
receiving treatment on a knee problem and will undergo a late fitness test.
Brighton midfielder Simon Rodger only has an
"outside chance" of being fit after breaking his left big toe. Manager
Steve Coppell must decide whether to risk both Paul Kitson and defender
Dean Blackwell, who are both short of match practice, Kitson has not started
since mid-September due to back trouble and Blackwell has been nursing a
hamstring injury.
One To Watch Bobby Zamora
- Brighton
Prediction Norwich 1
Brighton 1
|
|
Preston v Rochdale
at Deepdale
ko - 15-00 |
|
Preston suffered a double injury blow in their last
game at Stoke with goalkeeper David Lucas and striker Richard Cresswell
suffering hamstring injuries in the 2-1 defeat. They are not expected to a play
for a while. In their places come in Tepi Moilanen, who replaced Lucas at half
time, and Pawel Abbott is favourite to replace Cresswell. Brown will also be
without Rob Edwards, who has an ankle injury, while defender Colin Murdock is
doubtful with a thigh injury.
Lee Duffy could be handed a first-team recall for
Rochdale after missing 10 days of action with a damaged instep. He could replace
Scott Warner. Michael Oliver is pushing for a place in midfield and he could be
given preference ahead of Gavin Melaugh.
One To Watch Carl Platt -
Rochdale
Prediction Preston 1
Rochdale 2
|
|
Rotherham v Wimbledon
at Millmoor
ko - 15-00 |
|
Rotherham have major injury doubts to Darren
Byfield , he has missed training all week and is very doubtful for the
all Division One FA Cup clash against the Dons, Andy Monkhouse is
defintely out with a virus and Mark Robins is struggling with a
groin injury.
Good news for the Dons both Trond Andersen
and Lionel Morgan will return to the squad after the pair's Xmas
virus , Wimbledon will have a fully fit squad to choose from after the last two
games were called off due to waterlogged pitches.
One To Watch Jobi
Mcanuff - Wimbledon
Prediction Rotherham
1 Wimbledon 1
|
|
Sheff Utd v Cheltenham
at Bramall Lane
ko - 15-00 |
|
Sheffield Utd boss will have to tinker with his
midfield after Fulham recalled Jon Harley from his spell at
Bramall Lane , that will mean a recall to the side for Rob Kozluk
, Carl Asaba is still missing with a calf injury another bit of
bad news for the Blades is the suspension of Michael Brown as
well.
Cheltenham go into the Blades den looking at an
upset but it will be very tough against third placed Utd , John Finnigan
and Russell Milton look to stake a claim for a role in the squad ,
while Paul Bryson is also on the comeback trial and might have to
sit it out on the bench for tommorow.
One To Watch Wayne
Allison - Sheff Utd
Prediction Sheff
Utd 4 Cheltenham 0
|
|
Stoke v Wigan
at Brittania Stadium
ko - 15-00 |
|
Stoke are in for a tough test and a little giant
killing could be in sight for the Potters , Stoke are going to be unchanged for
the tie but Andy Cooke, Clive Clarke and Kris
Commons are still out with knee problems.
Second Division Leaders are pumped up for a cup
upset and could even be cheeky enough to rest Jason De Vos
possibly Ian Brekin could take his place , Steve Mcmillian
could be set for a first team recall in place of former Watford star Peter
Kennedy.
One To Watch
Tony Dinning - Wigan
Prediction Stoke
1 Wigan 2
|
|
Walsall v Reading
at Bescot Stadium
ko - 15-00 |
|
Walsall will be without both Ludo Pollet
and City Ground hero of New Years Day Gareth Ainsworth , both have
go back to there clubs Wolves and Wimbledon , but better news for the Saddlers Danny
Hay could be back after missing the Forest game , Danny Sonner
will be out through suspension.
Reading will be looking on this game as pay back
time when Walsall pipped them to promotion in Cardiff , the Royals have no fresh
injury worry's and will also have Nicky Forster on the bench as Alan
Pardew opts to keep the same side that started against Leicester before
the game was abandoned.
One To Watch Darren
Wrack - Walsall
Prediction Walsall
1 Reading 1
|
|
West Brom v Bradford
at The Hawthorns
ko - 15-00 |
|
Albion could be without Lee Hughes
and Igor Balis for the FA Cup game with the Bantams , Balis is
suffering from a sore throat and Hughes who as failed to live up to his first
stint glory at Albion is missing with a knee complaint , Derek
Mcinnes and Jordao are out with shoulder injurys also.
The Bantams are hoping there rich vein of away form
will continue in the Black Country and Bradford boss Nicky Laws is
hoping commanding centre half Rob Molenaar will get throught the
tie he has badly swollen ankle and will play through the pain barrier , also Peter
Atherton will miss the game due to suspension.
One To Watch Jason
Koumas - Albion
Prediction Albion
3 Bradford 0
|
|
West Ham v Nottm Forest
at Upton Park
ko - 15-00 |
|
French Striker Freddy Kanoute is
definitely ruled out for The Hammers with a troublesome groin injury and he may
even fly off to Canada in order to get the injury sorted out. Steve Lomas
is a doubt for this game, although an injection may ensure he is fit for the
remainder of the season.
Forest boss Paul Hart has injury,
suspension and illness worries to contend with as The Reds look to put right
their miserable recent away form. Des Walker is out with a thigh
injury, Jack Lester is banned and David Johnson, Chris
Doig and Barry Roche are struggling with flu.
One To Watch
Jermaine Defoe (West Ham)
Prediction West
Ham 2-0 Forest
|
|
Wolves v Newcastle
at Molineux
ko Sun 5th Jan 16-00 (Sky) |
|
Wolves have a mass of injury
problems ahead of this very tough FA Cup tie , injurys to Dean Sturridge (achilles)
, and the continueing absence of leading scorer Nathan Blake (foot) along with
the departed Carlton Cole , leave Wolves with little striking options ,
Kenny
Miller and winger George Ndah will again lead the line .
Newcastle are without Gary Speed
but will welcome the returns of Nolberto Solano, but the Geordies are watching
and waiting on the fitness of Kieron Dyer who is struggling with a calf injury
picked up on there New Years Day victory against Liverpool.
One To Watch
Craig Bellamy - Newcastle
Prediction Wolves
1 Newcastle 3
Full Match Previews can be found at --
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Burnley The
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The Gills.tk
Grimsby The
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Ipswich Singing
The Blues
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Walsall The
Saddlers FC
Wolves wolvesfc.co.uk
