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Brighton v Wolves
at Withdean Stadium
ko - 15-00 |
|
Goalkeeper Ben Roberts will return
to the Brighton side for the match against Wolves provided he has fully
recovered from gastric flu. He will replace Dave Beasant if he makes it.Nathan
Jones and Charlie Oatway will have late fitness tests after they picked up ankle
injuries during the midweek defeat by Wimbledon, but the Seagulls are still
missing Richard Carpenter, with a knee injury.
Wolves left-back Denis Irwin serves a one-match suspension as Dave Jones' look
to continue their recent good form. Irwin picked up his fifth yellow card of the
season in the FA Cup thrashing of Leicester and will miss only his second league
match of the campaign. George Ndah is a doubt after receiving injections for a
hamstring injury. Dean Sturridge suffered no ill-effects from his Achilles
injury after making a scoring return to the team at Sheffield Wednesday last
weekend, but his fellow frontman Nathan Blake, remains on the long-term injury
list with damaged foot ligaments.
One To Watch Joleon
Lescott - Wolves
Prediction Brighton
1 Wolves 2
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Coventry v Burnley
at Highfield Rd
ko - 15-00 |
|
Coventry will try until the last possible minute to
get international clearance for loan signing Vincente Engonga to play in the
home game with Burnley. He has been training with the club for two weeks and the
Sky Blues are hopeful the Spanish Football Association will give the all clear
in time. Striker Julian Joachim's latest comeback attempt was hit by a muscle
strain in the hip region that prevented his return to the reserves in midweek.
Youssef Chippo is available again after serving a suspension following his red
card against Watford and fellow Moroccan Youssef Safri is still some way off a
comeback after an hernia operation.
Burnley manager Stan Ternent welcomes back Graham Branch after he missed last
week's 5-2 home defeat by Reading through suspension, and he is expected to
return to the starting line-up at Highfield Road. Lee Briscoe is an injury doubt
after being taken to hospital with a thigh injury last Saturday. Paul Weller is
nearing a return to full fitness following calf problems, while Brad Maylett
(Achilles) and Steve Davis (knee) remain sidelined.
One To Watch Richie
Partridge - Coventry
Prediction Coventry
1 Burnley 1
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Grimsby v Stoke
At Blundell Park
ko - 15-00 |
|
Michael Boulding is expected to return
to the Grimsby line up for the crunch match with Stoke City at Blundell Park.
The striker has been suffering from an ankle problem, but a scan has revealed
nothing more than bruising and he has returned to full training this week. He
will replace Steve Livingstone, who begins a three-match ban following a red
card. David Soames, Chris Thompson or Jonny Rowan are fighting to partner
Boulding, as Darren Mansaram is also out. Alan Pouton and Stacy Coldicott are
still struggling with knee and Achilles injuries respectively and are rated very
doubtful.
Stoke striker Chris Iwelumo is struggling with a calf problem picked up during
the draw with Norwich last weekend while on-loan striker Lee Mills is pushing
hard for a starting place after his late equaliser against the Canaries which
took Stoke out of the bottom three. Defender Wayne Thomas is expected to be fit
after recovering from a thigh knock
One To Watch Micheal
Boulding - Grimsby
Prediction Grimsby
1 Stoke 1
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Ipswich v Sheff Utd
at Portman Road
ko - 15-00 |
|
Ipswich Town striker Alun Armstrong could return
from injury against Sheffield United although Armstrong picked up a minor knock
for the reserves in midweek as he continued his comeback from a hamstring injury
which led to him being taken off at half time as a precaution but he suffered no
reaction. Transfer-listed Dutch midfielder Martijn Reuser is undergoing
treatment for a hip injury and may miss out. Striker Richard Naylor is also a
doubt after suffering a minor knee problem.
New Sheffield United signing Marcel Cas could go straight into the Blades squad
for the game. The winger, who has joined on a non-contract basis until the end
of the season, has been with the squad during a midweek break in the Spanish
resort of La Manga. Centre-half Robert Page will return to partner Shaun Murphy
at the heart of the defence, and that could mean Rob Kozluk dropping down to the
bench with Phil Jagielka slotting in at full-back. Boss Neil Warnock has no new
injury or suspension worries, but threatened to make further changes following
last week's defeat at Millwall.
One To Watch Darren
Ambrose - Ipswich
Prediction Ipswich
1 Sheff Utd 1
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Nottm Forest v C Palace
at City Ground
ko - 17-35 (Live SKY) |
|
Nottingham Forest boss Paul Hart hopes to have
leading scorer David Johnson available for his team's match with Crystal Palace
after Johnson has spent much of this week receiving treatment for a knee injury.
He is expected to be fit for the evening game, and if he plays then Hart is
almost certain to name an unchanged team following the 3-2 win over Wimbledon
last Saturday. Forest's veteran skipper Des Walker is still out of contention as
he continues his treatment for a torn thigh muscle.
Crystal Palace manager Trevor Francis has no new injury worries ahead of the
game after the excellent 2-0 FA Cup replay win at Liverpool on Wednesday night.
Finnish international midfielder Aki Riihilahti is back in training following a
thigh injury but remains doubtful. Captain Curtis Fleming is sidelined with a
recurrence of a knee injury and goalkeeper Alex Kolinko is unlikely to return
after refusing to play for the club at Leicester last weekend.
One To Watch Marlon
Harewood - N Forest
Prediction Nottm
Forest 1 C Palace 0
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Portsmouth v Derby
at Fratton Park
ko - 15-00 |
|
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp is hoping to
welcome back defender Gianluca Festa for the visit of Derby County. The Italian
has been out for almost a month since picking up a knee injury in the home
defeat by Sheffield United. Arjan de Zeeuw and Steve Stone are almost certainly
out of the clash, with Redknapp not wanting to bring the pair back too early.
Vincent Pericard and Deon Burton played for the reserves against Reading in
midweek and could come into contention.
Derby striker Fabrizio Ravanelli is firmly back in boss John Gregory's plans
ahead of the game after the former Italy striker played a part of last week's
win over Rotherham and the majority of the reserve game in midweek. Midfielder
Craig Burley, who was dropped last weekend after apparently falling out with
Gregory over a failed loan move to Middlesbrough, also turned out for the
reserves. Club captain Warren Barton has had an injection in his shoulder injury
and fully expects to be able to start for the Rams. The Pride Park team have no
suspensions to worry about.
One To Watch Fabrizio
Ravenelli - Derby
Prediction Portsmouth 3 Derby 1
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Preston v Millwall
at Deepdale
ko - 15-00 |
|
Preston boss Craig Brown is boosted by the return
of Rob Edwards and Dickson Etuhu for the game against Millwall. Edwards is set
to take his place in the squad after recovering from an ankle injury, while
Etuhu's hamstring problem has cleared up sufficiently for him to be considered
for the weekend game. Marlon Broomes is Brown's only doubt, having been forced
off early into last weekend's victory over Gillingham with a badly bruised
thigh, while Colin Murdock is suspended. Richard Cresswell is set to retain his
starting berth after coming through his comeback game last weekend without a
reaction of the hamstring strain he suffered.
Matt Lawrence is doubtful for Millwall after leaving the New Den on crutches
following the FA Cup defeat by Southampton. The Lions defender was substituted
in the fourth-round replay loss on Wednesday night. Captain Stuart Nethercott is
missing with a groin injury, while fellow defender Mark Phillips has a hamstring
problem. Striker Neil Harris is a fortnight away from recovering from a twisted
ankle, but Andy Roberts is set for a recall after returning from Achilles
trouble. Ben May returned as a substitute against Southampton and could start if
veteran striker Steve Claridge is rested.
One To Watch Richard
Cresswell - Preston
Prediction Preston
1 Millwall 0
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Sheff Wed v Norwich
at Hillsborough
ko - 15-00 |
|
New Sheffield Wednesday signing Brian Barry-Murphy
should retain his place in the Owls' starting line-up for the visit of Norwich
as Derek Geary completes his two-match ban, which means Chris Turner will
utilise the squad he employed last week in the 4-0 home defeat by Wolves. Lloyd
Owusu is in contention after starting the game on the bench, but he may have to
wait for his chance with on-loan striker Michael Reddy in line to make his
second appearance for the Owls.
Norwich City have fitness doubts over midfield duo Mark Rivers and Phil Mulryne.
Rivers picked up an abdominal strain during last week's draw with Stoke City and
is rated doubtful. Mulryne is recovering from flu and has missed most of
training this week. Defender Dean Sinclair is suspended after picking up five
yellow cards, but Steen Nedergaard is back in contention after a calf problem.
One To Watch Iwan
Roberts - Norwich
Prediction Sheff
Wed 1 Norwich 2
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Walsall v Leicester
at Bescot Stadium
ko - 15-00 |
|
Walsall manager Colin Lee is without Danny Hay and
Ian Roper for the clash with Leicester. Hay is suspended for picking up five
yellow cards, while Roper is struggling with a groin injury. Loan signing Jean-Phillipe
Javary may not make the squad after missing out on match practice following the
cancellation of a reserve game in midweek. Striker Junior returns from
suspension and is available after receiving international clearance to continue
playing at the Bescot Stadium until the end of the season.
Leicester boss Micky Adams will have to rethink his defensive line-up with
Callum Davidson and Alan Rogers both suspended. The duo picked up their fifth
yellow cards of the season in the FA Cup defeat at Wolves and will serve
one-match bans. Briane Deane (cheekbone) and Andy Impey (groin) are not yet
ready to be considered for a return to the side as the Foxes continue to chase
Portsmouth at the top of Division One.
One To Watch Paul
Dickov - Leicester
Prediction Walsall
1 Leicester 2
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Watford v Rotherham
at Vicarage Road
ko - 15-00 |
|
Watford manager Ray Lewington will recall Sean
Dyche if Marcus Gayle fails to recover from injury. Gayle is currently suffering
from a hamstring strain and struggled to train in the Hornets break in Portugal.
Dyche has played three reserve games after seven weeks out with an Achilles
injury, and Lewington has no worries about recalling him. Jermaine Pennant will
play his last league match for the Hornets before returning to Arsenal from his
loan spell.
Rotherham United midfielder John Mullin is available after missing the 3-0
defeat at Derby through suspension. The Millers boss Ronnie Moore must decide
whether to name Mullin or Nick Daws alongside loan signing Curtis Woodhouse in
centre midfield. Up front Darren Byfield, Richie Barker and Alan Lee are all
vying for a place in the starting line-up.
One To Watch Jermaine
Pennant - Watford
Prediction Watford
2 Rotherham 0
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Wimbledon v Bradford
at Selhurst Park
ko - 15-00 |
|
Wimbledon manager Stuart Murdoch's injury worries
are easing ahead of the visit of Bradford as Mark Williams has recovered from a
thigh strain, while Kelvin Davis and Neil Shipperley both returned against
Brighton on Tuesday. Out are Jobi McAnuff (groin) and Lionel Morgan (knee),
while Darren Holloway has yet to recover from a cartilage operation. Loan
signing Moritz Volz from Arsenal will play after ruling himself out of
Wednesday's Under-20 international between England and Germany at Reading.
Bradford City welcome back leading scorer Andy Gray and defender Peter Atherton
for the game after the duo missed the Bantams' 2-0 win over Ipswich last weekend
through suspension but they are expected to be restorted to the starting
line-up. Defender Simon Francis will not feature as he serves a one-match ban
after being sent off in the last minute of the 2-1 victory against Grimsby two
weeks ago. Bradford are sweating on the fitness of Wayne Jacobs and goalkeeper
Aidan Davison, who both sustained injuries in training during the week. Both
travel with the squad, but will be given late fitness tests beforehand.
One To Watch Neil Shipperly -
Wimbledon
Prediction Wimbledon 2 Bradford 0
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Reading v Gillingham
at Madjeski Stadium
ko - 19-45 (Monday Live Sky |
|
Online Shortly
Full Match Previews can be found at --
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Mariner
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The Blues
Sheff Utd bladesfc.co.uk
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Wolves wolvesfc.co.uk
