Championship Preview

Championship Preview

Two games on Friday night to kick the weekend off. The first is at Brighton who entertain Sheff Wed, both teams are in a play off spot and have only lost the one game each. There have been plenty of goals in their games so far this season, Brighton's matches averaging just under 3 and Sheff Wed averaging just over 4. The other Friday night game is at the other end of the table where Charlton host Crystal Palace. Charlton are unbeaten this season at home and Palace are yet to pick up a point away from home.

Onto Saturday's games and top of the table Blackpool travel to Barnsley. Blackpool will be looking to bounce back from their defeat at Leicester last time out but they travel to a Barnsley team who have a 100% home record so far this season. Second place Blackburn travel to Bristol City. Under fire Blackburn boss Steve Kean remains unbeaten so far in the league and sit second but they travel to a Bristol City team who have won both matches at home so far scoring 4 goals in each game. A Midlands match up sees Nottingham Forest host Birmingham, Forest remain unbeaten and will be confident of continuing that against a Birmingham team who have struggles so far this season. Hull welcome Millwall with both teams relative happy about the start they have made to the season. Hull are 100% at home so far whilst Millwall have been a bit hit and miss. The match of the weekend looks to be at the Cardiff City Stadium where Leeds travel to Cardiff. These are usually fiesty affairs and with both teams looking even so far this season this could turn out to be a cracker.

There have been plenty of goals so far at the Riverside but with travellers Ipswich only averaging a goal a game Middlesbrough will be confident of maintaining their 100% record. Owen Coyle will be hoping that his Bolton team can respond to all the criticism that's been coming their way and beat a Watford team that is blowing hot and cold so far this year. Bolton remain unbeaten at home but confidence is not high at the reebok. Will Huddersfield miss Jordan Rhodes' goals this season as they take on Derby at home. Neither team are setting the league on fire and this has a bore draw written all over it.

The final game on Saturday is at Turf Moor where a Burnley team will be looking to end their 3 game losing streak against a Peterborough team who have lost all their league games so far. This is looking like it's going to be a tough long season for Peterborough but they feel like they might have a chance away at Burnley this weekend.

One game on Sunday and that sees Leicester travel to Wolves. Leicester will be on a high after beating Blackpool last time out and they will be hoping for more of the same against a Wolves team who are still trying to find their feet after relegation last season.

Matches and table below with my predictions for the weekends games aswell:

Friday 14th September 2012
Brighton v Sheff Wed	19:45
Charlton v Crystal Palace	19:45
Saturday 15th September 2012
Barnsley v Blackpool	15:00
Bolton v Watford	15:00
Bristol City v Blackburn	15:00
Burnley v Peterborough	15:00
Cardiff v Leeds	15:00
Huddersfield v Derby	15:00
Hull v Millwall	15:00
Middlesbrough v Ipswich	15:00
Nottm Forest v Birmingham	15:00
Sunday 16th September 2012
Wolves v Leicester	13:15

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Blackpool	4	3	0	1	8	9
2	Blackburn	4	2	2	0	2	8
3	Nottm Forest	4	2	2	0	2	8
4	Brighton	4	2	1	1	5	7
5	Hull	4	2	1	1	2	7
6	Sheff Wed	4	2	1	1	1	7
7	Leeds	4	2	1	1	1	7
8	Cardiff	4	2	1	1	1	7
9	Bristol City	4	2	0	2	3	6
10	Leicester	4	2	0	2	1	6
11	Millwall	4	2	0	2	0	6
12	Middlesbrough	4	2	0	2	-1	6
13	Watford	4	2	0	2	-2	6
14	Barnsley	4	2	0	2	-4	6
15	Derby	4	1	2	1	2	5
16	Huddersfield	4	1	2	1	1	5
17	Charlton	4	1	2	1	0	5
18	Ipswich	4	1	2	1	-5	5
19	Wolves	4	1	1	2	-1	4
20	Bolton	4	1	1	2	-2	4
21	Birmingham	4	1	1	2	-2	4
22	Burnley	4	1	0	3	-3	3
23	Crystal Palace	4	1	0	3	-4	3
24	Peterborough	4	0	0	4	-5	0

Predictions:

Brighton v Sheff Wed	2	1
Charlton v Crystal Palace	2	0
Barnsley v Blackpool	1	1
Bolton v Watford	1	0
Bristol City v Blackburn	1	3
Burnley v Peterborough	1	0
Cardiff v Leeds	3	2
Huddersfield v Derby	0	0
Hull v Millwall	2	1
Middlesbrough v Ipswich	0	1
Nottm Forest v Birmingham	2	1
Wolves v Leicester	1	0

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Football Stats

Premier League Preview

Premier League Preview

Now the international break is over it's back to the nitty gritty of the Premier League.

Saturday
Norwich v West Ham   12:45

Norwich have yet to get a win this season and have failed to keep a clean sheet in the league. They are struggling for goals and are up against a West Ham team who have only conceded in 1 game this season. West Ham will be full of confidence after a convincing 3-0 win over Fulham. Chris Hughton is finding life tough at the minute at Norwich and I can't see them getting a win either this weekend.
Prediction: 0-0

Arsenal v Southampton     15:00

Unbeaten Arsenal come into this game on the back of a good win at Liverpool. After they failed to score in the opening 2 games they have finally broken their duck. They have yet to concede a goal this season. Southampton have yet to pick a point up this season. They have been unlucky against both Manchester teams but still remain on 0 points. This will be a tough match for them as they ave also conceded in all 3 games so far.
Prediction: 3-0

Aston Villa v Swansea     15:00

Paul Lambert is under huge pressure at Villa, and the favourite to be sacked first this season. Villa have yet to pick up a win, only gaining their first point at Newcastle in the last game. No clean sheets and only 2 goals scored is not a good record. They are up against a Swansea team who are flying at the moment. Unbeaten and second in the league, things are going great for them. In 3 games they have scored 10 and kept 2 clean sheets. It's a brave call for anything but an away win on this game.
Prediction: 2-1

Fulham v West Brom      15:00

Since their opening day 5-0 win Fulham have yet to pick up a point since then, although they did put on a good show against Man United. A heavy defeat a West Ham and the first time they failed to score this season I think they'll be wanting to come back with a good win. West Brom on the other hand remain unbeaten and coming into the game after a 2-0 against Everton will be full of confidence. They have only let in 1 goal this season so it will be difficult for Fulham to break them down.
Prediction: 1-1

Man Utd v Wigan      15:00

United have finally found their scoring boots after being shut out on the opening day of the season. They have scored 3 in each of the last 2 games and I can see them putting a few pas Wigan on Saturday. Wigan have made an OK start to the season but think this is a tough ask to get anything from Old Trafford
Prediction: 3-1

QPR v Chelsea      15:00

This is the game that all the eyes will be on, but sadly for the wrong reasons. QPR have made a poor start to the season and are letting goals in for fun (3 per game). Mark Hughes will be hoping that his new signings will gel quickly. Chelsea look almost unbeatable so far this year (charity shield not included ;). 3 wins out of 3 and the confidence is back. Form can sometimes go out of the window for a derby game but another win for the team at the top of the league looks more than likely
Prediction: 0-2

Stoke v Man City     15:00

Stoke are not an easy team to beat, and are proving that so far this season with 3 draws out of 3. With each match averaging 2 goals a game (1 scored 1 conceded) they are looking a truly mid-table team. They welcome another unbeaten team in Man City who have the firepower to blow any team out of the water. They have yet to keep a clean sheet this season so will be making double sure they are solid at the back for this game.
Prediction: 0-1

Sunderland v Liverpool     17:30

Neither team have managed to pick up a win yet this season, although Sunderland have played 1 game less. Brendan Rogers is under a huge amount of pressure now and his passing style has come under a bit of criticism, some say he needs to be more direct at times. Sunderland have drawn all their games this year and Liverpool have yet to keep a clean sheet. This game could go either way but I think Liverpool just have that extra edge up front.
Prediction: 1-2

Sunday
Reading v Tottenham    16:00

Just the one game on Sunday and another match were neither team have picked up a win and draws seem to be the norm for both teams so far. Both teams have started the season slowly and will be disappointed so far. I think another draw looms.
Prediction: 1-1

Monday
Everton v Newcastle      20:00

Monday night football see a tasty encounter at Goodison. Both teams will be relatively happy with the starts they have made to the season and this looks like it could be a good game. Newcastle have yet to pick a point up on the road and Everton have not dropped any yet at home. I predict goals in this one.
Prediction: 3-2

Full fixtures and League table below:

Saturday 15th September 2012
Norwich v West Ham	12:45
Arsenal v Southampton	15:00
Aston Villa v Swansea	15:00
Fulham v West Brom	15:00
Man Utd v Wigan	15:00
QPR v Chelsea	15:00
Stoke v Man City	15:00
Sunderland v Liverpool	17:30
Sunday 16th September 2012
Reading v Tottenham	16:00
Monday 17th September 2012
Everton v Newcastle	20:00

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Chelsea	3	3	0	0	6	9
2	Swansea	3	2	1	0	8	7
3	West Brom	3	2	1	0	5	7
4	Man City	3	2	1	0	3	7
5	Man Utd	3	2	0	1	1	6
6	Everton	3	2	0	1	1	6
7	West Ham	3	2	0	1	1	6
8	Arsenal	3	1	2	0	2	5
9	Wigan	3	1	1	1	0	4
10	Newcastle	3	1	1	1	-1	4
11	Fulham	3	1	0	2	1	3
12	Stoke	3	0	3	0	0	3
13	Sunderland	2	0	2	0	0	2
14	Tottenham	3	0	2	1	-1	2
15	Norwich	3	0	2	1	-5	2
16	Reading	2	0	1	1	-2	1
17	Aston Villa	3	0	1	2	-3	1
18	Liverpool	3	0	1	2	-5	1
19	QPR	3	0	1	2	-7	1
20	Southampton	3	0	0	3	-4	0

Let me know your thoughts below.

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Football Stats

Sunday Special

Sunday Special

Only two games were played today. The first games of the day was at the Ricoh Arena with Coventry taking on Stevenage at 13:15.
Coventry took an early lead though McGoldrick, his first goal of the season, but this lead was only to last 10 minutes when Shroot equalised for Stevenage. It was then left for substitute Marcus Haber to score the winner with his first goal for Stevenage.
The result means Stevenage climb to 3rd and keep their unbeaten start in the league. They have a 100% away record with 3 wins out if 3. Coventry however have now slipped 20th and with no win in the league so far really need to find a new manager or this could be a long season indeed.

The second game of the day was at relative league newcomers Crawley. They took on a Portsmouth team who are still unsure if they will finish the season or not.
Crawley may have just edged the first half but the game really turned when they where first reduced to 10 men just before half time then went down to 9 men midway through the secon half. Pompey pressed on with a 2 man advantage and with goals from Harris, Rodgers and McLeod in the last 15 mins sealed a 3-0 away win.
Crawley had a chance to go top but with Portsmouths first win of the season saw them slip to 6th and Portsmouth jump to 16th.

Table below:

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Notts County	5	4	0	1	5	12
2	Tranmere	5	3	2	0	9	11
3	Stevenage	5	3	2	0	3	11
4	Yeovil	5	3	1	1	6	10
5	Sheff Utd	5	2	3	0	3	9
6	Crawley	5	3	0	2	-1	9
7	Brentford	5	2	2	1	3	8
8	Preston	5	2	2	1	3	8
9	Walsall	5	2	2	1	-1	8
10	MK Dons	5	2	1	2	2	7
11	Swindon	5	2	1	2	0	7
12	Carlisle	5	2	1	2	-2	7
13	Crewe	5	2	1	2	-3	7
14	Doncaster	4	2	0	2	2	6
15	Bournemouth	5	1	3	1	-1	6
16	Portsmouth	5	1	2	2	0	5
17	Shrewsbury	5	1	2	2	-1	5
18	Hartlepool	4	1	1	2	-1	4
19	Oldham	4	1	1	2	-2	4
20	Coventry	5	0	3	2	-2	3
21	Leyton Orient	4	1	0	3	-3	3
22	Colchester	5	0	3	2	-5	3
23	Bury	5	0	2	3	-4	2
24	Scunthorpe	5	0	1	4	-10	1

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Football Stats

League 1 Review

League 1 Review

With no Premiership or Championship games this weekend the spotlight turned to League 1.

Notts County hit the top of the league with a comeback win against struggling Shrewsbury. Unless Crawley put a few past Coventry on Sunday then they will end the weekend top of the league. Tranmere continue their unbeaten start to the season but lost top spot after a goalless draw with Crewe. Yeovil's three match winning run came to an end as Bournemouth picked up there first win of the season with a 1-0 away victory.

Scunthorpe picked up there first point of the season after a 1-1 draw with Sheff Utd, who themselves remain unbeaten. Colchester still haven't managed a win this season as they went 1-0 down at Brentford, who are in a play off place. Preston just remain out side the play off spots with 2-1 win at a struggling Bury side who are now second bottom of the league.

Walsall continue a four match unbeaten run with a 1-0 win at home to MK Dons. Leyton Orient picked up their first points of the season with an impressive 1-0 win away at swindon. Carlisle picked up a 2-1 away win at Hartlepool.

League table below:

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Notts County	5	4	0	1	5	12
2	Tranmere	5	3	2	0	9	11
3	Yeovil	5	3	1	1	6	10
4	Sheff Utd	5	2	3	0	3	9
5	Crawley	4	3	0	1	2	9
6	Brentford	5	2	2	1	3	8
7	Preston	5	2	2	1	3	8
8	Stevenage	4	2	2	0	2	8
9	Walsall	5	2	2	1	-1	8
10	MK Dons	5	2	1	2	2	7
11	Swindon	5	2	1	2	0	7
12	Carlisle	5	2	1	2	-2	7
13	Crewe	5	2	1	2	-3	7
14	Doncaster	4	2	0	2	2	6
15	Bournemouth	5	1	3	1	-1	6
16	Shrewsbury	5	1	2	2	-1	5
17	Hartlepool	4	1	1	2	-1	4
18	Oldham	4	1	1	2	-2	4
19	Coventry	4	0	3	1	-1	3
20	Leyton Orient	4	1	0	3	-3	3
21	Colchester	5	0	3	2	-5	3
22	Portsmouth	4	0	2	2	-3	2
23	Bury	5	0	2	3	-4	2
24	Scunthorpe	5	0	1	4	-10	1

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Football Stats

07/09/12 - Site update

All League one teams now up to date. I have also put in the cup results of all the teams. League 2 now being added.

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 Football Stats

Well this is all getting exciting!!

Another breath taking weekend in the Premier League this weekend. This looks like it could be the greatest season of the Premier League.

Chelsea did not play this weekend but still go into the international break at the top of the tree. At the top of the table Swansea continue their fine start to the year along with West Brom who had the result of the weekend with a 2-0 win over a very impressive Everton team this year. Who would have thought that behind them two come the two Manchester teams. Man City made hard work of beating QPR but eventually came through winning 3-1 and today Man Utd edged out Southampton in a thrilling 3-2 win. Robin Van Persie grabbing the first hat-trick of the Premier League season as well as missing a penalty whilst 2-1 down.

At the foot of the table Southampton have been very unlucky this year with 2 battling performances against both Manchester teams have still to get a point, both games they were 2-1 up to lose the game 3-2. QPR put in a good display against City but have looked the poorest team in the league this year (maybe their new signings will start to gel over the next couple of weeks. The last team in the bottom 3 is Liverpool. Not many people would have had them struggling this year but a very poor display against Arsenal sees them still without a win, no clean sheets and they have only scored in 1 game this season. Things are not looking good for the red half of Liverpool with struggling strikers and a keeper whose confidence looks to have slipped through his fingers like most of the shots at him this season.

Arsenal pick up their first win of the season and have still yet to concede a goal (Arsenal of old). After a disappointing defeat last weekend West Ham pick up another 3 points with an easy win over a Fulham team that could only go one way after the first weekend of the season. Wigan and Stoke played out a very entertaining 2-2 draw that could have gone either way. Tottenham are still yet to win this year after Norwich held them to a 1-1 draw. Aston Villa earned their first point of the year, but it could have been a lot better had it not been for Ben Arfa's fantastic strike to end the scoring at 1-1.

Results:

Saturday 1st September 2012
West Ham v Fulham	3-0
Swansea v Sunderland	2-2
Tottenham v Norwich	1-1
West Brom v Everton	2-0
Wigan v Stoke	2-2
Man City v QPR	3-1

Sunday 2nd September 2012
Liverpool v Arsenal	0-2
Newcastle v Aston Villa	1-1
Southampton v Man Utd	2-3

Table:

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Chelsea	3	3	0	0	6	9
2	Swansea	3	2	1	0	8	7
3	West Brom	3	2	1	0	5	7
4	Man City	3	2	1	0	3	7
5	Man Utd	3	2	0	1	1	6
6	Everton	3	2	0	1	1	6
7	West Ham	3	2	0	1	1	6
8	Arsenal	3	1	2	0	2	5
9	Wigan	3	1	1	1	0	4
10	Newcastle	3	1	1	1	-1	4
11	Fulham	3	1	0	2	1	3
12	Stoke	3	0	3	0	0	3
13	Sunderland	2	0	2	0	0	2
14	Tottenham	3	0	2	1	-1	2
15	Norwich	3	0	2	1	-5	2
16	Reading	2	0	1	1	-2	1
17	Aston Villa	3	0	1	2	-3	1
18	Liverpool	3	0	1	2	-5	1
19	QPR	3	0	1	2	-7	1
20	Southampton	3	0	0	3	-4	0

There is an international break next weekend with England starting their world cup qualifying campaign with matches in Moldova (Fri 7 Sep) and at home to Ukraine (Tue 11 Sep).

As always let me know your thoughts on the game.

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Football Stats