There is a full programme in the Championship on Saturday as the table begins to take shape nine games into the season and the stand-out match has to be the surprise package so far, Derby County, travelling to East Midlands rivals Leicester City.
Moneybags Leicester were busy in the transfer window this summer as they look to return to the ‘promised land’ of Premier League football and are third in the betting to win the Championship, priced at 7/1.
However, it has not been the start to the season they would have hoped for as the new arrivals are perhaps taking their time to gel and they lie six points behind the leaders, down in 11th place in the table.
And one of three teams that share 19 points at the top is Derby, and the Rams are looking for their seventh win in 10 matches to seal their best start to a season for 42 years.
Sven Goran Eriksson’s men have had the better of the recent record between the two, winning both fixtures 2-0 last season (13/2 repeat scoreline), and have been installed as the 4/6 favourites in the match betting.
However, the Foxes have won two and lost two of their four games at the King Power Stadium and although they have gone six games unbeaten in the league, they are struggling to come out on top as four of those results have been draws.
County, in contrast, have won three of the four games on their travels and although a defeat at Coventry earlier in the season and a 1-1 draw against Barnsley last time out do not look impressive, surely a form side is worth considering at a huge price of 4/1, while the draw is available at 11/4.
Leicester have higher profile players in their squad but Jermaine Beckford (5/1 First Goalscorer) is an injury concern for Eriksson along with Richie Wellens, both groin, while Michael Johnson is suffering with a shoulder problem.
However, one-time England striker David Nugent is available again after a hamstring complaint and is priced at 11/2 First/Last Goalscorer, along with Darius Vassell, while Steve Davies is a 15/8 joint favourite to Score Anytime for Derby – no surprise after having bagged five already this term.
West Ham look a good shout to take the points at Selhurst Park in a London derby against Crystal Palace and are Evens favourites in the match betting, with the Eagles on offer at 11/4 and the draw at 12/5.
The Hammers have only ever lost two away matches in this fixture and are unbeaten on their travels this season, with three wins and a draw, scoring nine goals in the process and conceding just one.
The fact that West Ham were beaten at home by Ipswich in midweek might work in their favour as well as Sam Allardyce will want, expect and demand a positive response.
Middlesbrough look a cracking price at 19/10 to continue their perfect away record at Reading, with the home side priced at 11/8 and the draw at 12/5.
It is at the Riverside where Boro have had their problems, although they remain unbeaten this season, with just one win and four draws.
However, Boro have been unstoppable scoring seven goals and conceding just one in their first four wins away from the Riverside.
The Royals lost Shane Long to West Brom before the transfer window shut and have struggled to perform in front of their own fans so far.
Reading are unbeaten in three going into this fixture, winning two of them, but did suffer a 2-0 reverse against Watford before the streak started and will have their work cut out.
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проблема разделения матчей на «лигочемпионские» и национального первенства. Но думаю это не тот случай, так как «Спартак» – это универсальный раздражитель для всех команд российской Премьер-Лиги.
Saturday brings us the first of two big derby matches in the Premier League this weekend as Liverpool make the short trip across Stanley Park to neighbours Everton in the lunchtime kick-off. There are also five 3pm kick-offs including Manchester United playing host to Norwich.
There are two fixtures in League Two on Friday evening as Swindon travel to the Moss Rose to take on Macclesfeild, whilst Southend host Shrewsbury at Roots Hall.
Stoke and Tottenham round off English interest in the Europa League on Thursday night with seemingly winnable home clashes against Besiktas and Shamrock Rovers. Having both drawn their opening group matches the two Premier League teams will feel a win is a must if they are to make it out of their respective groups.
After some dramatic action in the Champions League so far this week, it’s time for the Europa League to take centre stage on Thursday.
сразу всех шансов на выход из группы, то делают эту задачу архисложной. Поражение на Кипре заставляет в матче с «Порту» 2.60 играть только на победу, так как даже ничья будет не самым хорошим результатом. Особенно понимая, что «Шахтер» на своем поле наверняка обыграет киприотов.
Southampton have once again proved how important momentum can be at the start of the Championship season, and they will hope to continue their impressive form so far when they cross the border to take on Cardiff City on Wednesday night (Cardiff 13/8, draw 23/10, Southampton 13/8).
a and Arsenal fixtures, there are some intriguing Champions League matches on Wednesday. The pick of the ties sees Marseille entertain German champions Borussia Dortmund in Group F, with the French side looking to make it two wins out of two in the tournament.
поста, а на его место заступил Клаудио Раньери. На волне новых эмоций «черно-синие» сразу одолели на выезде «Болонью», но с другой стороны, обладая такими игроками, как Форлан, Паццини и Диего Милито, было бы странно не выигрывать. Впрочем, именно из-за серии невнятных игр и был уволен Гасперини, но насколько хватит Раньери пока тоже неясно. По моему мнению, после ухода Моуринью - тренера, способного управлять командой, как Жозе, будут искать еще очень долго.