Ipswich v Cardiff City

While August was a mixed month for the Bluebirds, the advent of September saw the Welshmen’s season ignite with four wins and just one defeat en route to the top of the standings.

And October also began well with a 2-1 victory over Birmingham City to welcome the start of autumn as they opened up a one-point gap on Leicester City.

The task now for the capital club is to keep it going and a trip to Portman Road does not look too taxing for Malky Mackay’s charges.

The Tractor Boys last tasted league success back on August 21 at Watford and since swatting the Hornets, they have lost four and drawn three games and these are worrying times for the East Anglia outfit.

Home form is always the key to success and Ipswich have yet to win on their own patch with two draws and two losses, while they have only scored four goals.

It is true that Cardiff’s away form has not been their strength to date, with just one win on their travels, but they look a confident outfit and should have enough to claim the spoils from this one.

But history is not on their side as Cardiff have only won three times at Portman Road and were beaten 3-0 in the corresponding fixture last season.

Craig Bellamy looks set to miss out due to injury and Tommy Smith is doubtful, while midfielder Luke Hyam has been ruled out for Town but Michael Chopra is fit to play.

Pressure is mounting on Ipswich boss Paul Jewell and things might be even worse on Saturday night.

Odds: Ipswich 2/1, Cardiff 13/10, draw 12/5

Leicester City v Bristol City

Hot on the Bluebirds’ heels are the Foxes who, like the team above them in the table, won four of five Championship games in September.

That is certainly promotion form and they took some decent scalps last month, with wins at home to Blackpool and Hull while claiming all three points against Middlesbrough at the Riverside.

Victory at Huddersfield last time out made it back-to-back away wins but they are back on home territory this weekend and, with Cardiff playing at tea time, they could temporarily sit at the top of the table.

While they have not really blown any teams off the park, Nigel Pearson’s charges have been efficient and solid at the back and that augurs well for the season’s promotion push.

The East Midlanders have won all four of their home games and conceded just two goals in the process and, while that record will end at some stage, Bristol do not look like the club to ruin the home fans’ afternoon this weekend.

They have taken four points from a possible 12 on their travels but scored only four goals in the process and the Robins currently sit in 14th place in the table.

One win in their last six games is not the sort of form that is going to cause opposition managers too many sleepless nights and, with the middle of the division looking congested, they could easily be sucked into the danger zone if results do not improve.

Odds: Leicester 4/7, Bristol City 5/1, draw 11/4

Derby County v Brighton

Brighton are just one point behind Leicester in third but cannot afford to rest on their laurels with several big clubs nestled in behind and waiting to pounce.

Five consecutive victories had seen the Seagulls fly up the table but defeat at home to Birmingham and a draw with Ipswich last time out has thwarted their progress.

However a trip to Pride Park will not faze Gus Poyet’s high-flyers as they have already picked up nine points from four games away from home and appear happy to continue their brand of passing football away from the Amex.

Indeed it could be argued that they are happier on the road as the south coast club have already dropped seven points on their own patch this term.

They will face a Derby side in mid-table who have scored 11 goals in their four home games this season with two wins in the East Midlands already.

They did lose their last home encounter to Burnley but have taken 10 points from a possible 18 and will be no pushovers this weekend.

Poyet will still be without strikers Craig Mackail-Smith and Vicente with the duo set to return to action after the international break and they will be looking to improve on a record of just four goals in their last four matches.

Odds: Derby 13/8, Brighton 13/8, draw 9/4

Blackpool v Charlton

Blackpool are one of four teams on 16 points and they will hope to add another three to that tally when they welcome the struggling Addicks to Bloomfield Road on Saturday.

The seaside town certainly enjoyed the back end of the summer with a maximum nine points in August, with 10 goals scored and just one conceded, but they found points and goals much more hard to come by in September.

Ian Holloway’s men took just four points from five league contests and suffered defeats to Leicester, Huddersfield and Cardiff.

But they bounced back to form with a 3-2 victory at Hull on Tuesday night to get their promotion bid back on track.

The Tangerines are desperate for another taste of the promised land after failing to stay in the top flight in their only season in the Premier League to date.

And the fact that they came so close to a return last season will surely spur them on to try to go one better this term.

The days when Charlton were a permanent fixture in the Premier League seem a long time ago and it would seem as though they will be fighting a relegation battle this campaign and not considering a push for promotion.

Chris Powell has been unable to halt his side’s slip down the standings and they are currently 20th in the table with just nine points, which includes one win at home and one away.

The boss made it clear to the Charlton fans that they would need at least one season to settle into the Championship before thinking about taking another step up, but if things do not improve they might well be back in League One next year.

Four defeats from their past six games has left the Londoners hovering above the drop zone but they will have taken some confidence from a 2-1 win at Derby the last time they ventured away from the Valley.

But facing Blackpool in the north west will be a lot tougher and it is hard to see them coming away with anything this weekend.

Odds: Blackpool 4/6, Charlton 4/1, draw 11/4

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BRIGHTON V LIVERPOOL 7.45pm

Gus Poyet’s side have taken the Championship by storm this season following promotion from League One, although they tasted defeat for the first time in seven outings at Leicester City on Saturday.

However, the Seagulls have not lost a competitive game at their new Amex Stadium with Liverpool’s Premier League rivals Sunderland being dumped out after extra-time there in the previous round.

And, with Kenny Dalglish’s side enduring an early season stutter following back-to-back defeats at Stoke and Tottenham, they could find the going tough on the south coast this week.

The Reds’ hopes will be boosted by the anticipated return of skipper Steven Gerrard (7/4 Anytime Goalscorer) following a six-month injury absence, but Charlie Adam and Martin Skrtel are banned following red cards at Spurs in Sunday’s 4-0 defeat.

Daniel Agger is missing with a broken rib so Sebastian Coates could make his first start for the club.

The sides have not met for over 20 years when Liverpool edged a five-goal thriller in the FA Cup, but they could be in for a long night on this occasion if they are to reach round four.

Prediction: Draw 90 Minutes @ 3/1
Value Bet: Brighton/Draw Half-Time/Full-Time @ 12/1

MAN CITY V BIRMINGHAM 7.45pm

Holders Birmingham will have their work cut out to emulate a repeat success in 2012 as they look ahead to a daunting trip to face money-bags City at the Etihad Stadium.

The Blues slipped out of the Premier League following the elation of defeating Arsenal at Wembley in February, while Chris Hughton has replaced Alex McLeish as manager.

Cash problems have seen several of last season’s cup heroes depart St Andrew’s and Hughton’s men have managed just two wins from their opening six games in the Championship.

They go to City on the back of a 4-1 thumping at Southampton and will do well to avoid a similar result as Hughton plans to make changes as his side struggle with the demands of domestic and Europa League football.

City will also be much-changed, but the likes of Owen Hargreaves (10/3 Anytime Goalscorer) could be called upon to make his debut for Roberto Mancini’s side, who should have too much for the visitors.

City have not lost in their previous 10 matches and have scored 17 goals in five league games so far this term so expect a few more in this game.

Prediction: Man City Home 90 Minutes @ 1/5
Value Bet: Man City 4-0 Correct Score @ 10/1

CHELSEA V FULHAM 7.45pm

A London derby at Stamford Bridge will see Andre Villas-Boas getting his first taste of cup football in England and it is likely that, while he will have his sights set on lifting the trophy (11/2 Outright), he will make some alterations to his side from the one that lost 3-1 at Manchester United on Sunday.

That said, Didier Drogba (10/3 First/Last Goalscorer) is expected to return to action to spear-head the Blues’ forward line.

Fulham will also be depleted as Aaron Hughes, Andrew Johnson and Bobby Zamora look set to all miss out, although £10.6million summer signing Bryan Ruiz could feature.

Fulham have not got past this stage since the 2004-05 season and, with Chelsea enjoying a superior head-to-head record, everything points to a home win.

Prediction: Chelsea Home 90 Minutes @ 3/10
Value Bet: Drogba, D 1st Goal Chelsea 2-0 @ 14/1

Meanwhile, in Wednesday’s three other games, Premier League rivals Everton and West Brom go up against each other at Goodison Park.

David Moyes’ Toffees (4/6 Home) have won five of their last seven home games, while Roy Hodgson’s Baggies (9/2 Away) might sit bottom of the Premier League table, but they have only lost three of their last 10 on the road in all competitions.

The return of Louis Saha to the Everton forward line might prove the difference, but this tie is expected to go the distance (13/5 Draw).

Championship leaders Southampton (4/7 Home) should have no trouble in accounting for League One outfit Preston (5/1 Away) at St Mary’s, but a tight game is in store (12/5 Draw) in South Wales when Cardiff (11/8 Home) face Championship rivals Leicester City (19/10 Away) at the Cardiff City Stadium.

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After a hugely disappointing time last term which saw them relegated from the Premier League, the Hammers will be aiming to get off to a flying start as they look to return to the top-flight at the first attempt.

Many fans were disappointed in the manner in which the team went down, complaining that the side appeared as if they didn’t care about playing for the club. The majority blamed coach Avram Grant for their lack of motivation and the Israeli was relieved of his duties after the Irons were relegated in their penultimate fixture at Wigan.

Grant was replaced by former Bolton boss Sam Allardyce, who some fans believed should have been appointed last season following his sacking from Blackburn, and ‘Big Sam’ will make sure his players are fired up for their opening match of the season (West Ham 4/5 to beat Cardiff).

Supporters suggested the team lacked leadership throughout last season but Allardyce immediately addressed this problem by bringing in Kevin Nolan from another of his former sides, Newcastle. Nolan played under the manager at the Reebok and was immediately installed as skipper upon his arrival after being one of the stand-out players for Newcastle last term and he will be looking to make a major impact on his Upton Park debut.

Cardiff (4/1 to be promoted) will also have high hopes of promotion this season, though, after once again falling short in the play-offs last term. The Bluebirds have had a difficult summer and the club’s financial troubles have hampered their progress in the transfer market with a number of key players leaving on free transfers.

The Welsh side were taken over by a Malaysian consortium in May and the new owners appear to be keen to avoid repeating the mistakes of the previous regime at the Cardiff City stadium.

They have made a number of shrewd signings with former Rangers striker Kenny Miller (12/1 Championship top scorer) the stand-out name. Miller left Ibrox in January but had an unhappy time playing at Turkish side Bursaspor before returning to the UK. Now many are predicting he could be one of the stars of the season.

He is likely to be joined up front by Robert Earnshaw (9/4 to score anytime at Upton Park), who returns to the club he grew up at, and the duo could prove a potent combination this term as the club look to finally break into the Premier League.

The match has all the potential to be an opening-weekend classic with both sides looking to play open and entertaining football.

‘However, the pair of Miller and Earnshaw could expose the Hammers’ defensive frailties, meaning Malky Mackay’s side might just sneak the points to dampen the summer optimism currently pervading Upton Park.

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Hosts Argentina got off to a shaky start on Friday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Bolivia, while Colombia took top spot in Group A courtesy of a 1-0 win against Costa Rica.

Brazil and fellow Group B sides Venezuela, Paraguay and Ecuador will do battle on Sunday which will pave the way clear for the third group to get into the swing of things in the battle to be South America’s finest.

Uruguay v Peru

These two sides will meet in San Juan with all the talk focused on the problems facing Peru coach Sergio Markarian as he looks to select a side capable of creating problems for a Uruguayan side (9/1 Copa America Winner) still on a high after reaching the semi-finals of last summer’s World Cup.

Markarian must find suitable replacements for key strikers Jefferson Farfan and Claudio Pizarro, who are missing due to injury – but the likes of Carlos Zambrano, Luis Ramirez and Jesus Rabanal are far from 100 per cent fit as well.

To make matters worse, top midfielder Juan Vargas faces a late fitness test to see if he can feature in the match.

Despite his problems, Markarian claims the side are in good spirits ahead of the encounter – his first competitive match in charge of Peru (8/1 To Win 90 Minutes) against his home nation.

“The spirit in the changing room is good, the players are good,” he said. “They don’t need anyone to give them a lift. They are very strong and are fired up and ready to play.”

However, it seems that Markarian is merely putting a brave face on things as Uruguay, who have reached the last-four of the Copa America in the past three tournaments, look a superior squad even if Peru had all their big guns fit and available.

The strength of Oscar Tabarez’s Uruguay side (7/5 Group C Winner) is their attacking prowess with striker Diego Forlan, strike partner Luis Suarez and Napoli’s Edison Cavani likely to feature in a 4-3-3 formation with ammunition from out wide set to come from Porto’s Alvaro Pereira.

With those players seemingly fit and ready for action, there can only be one outcome from this clash and that is a Uruguay victory.

Prediction: Uruguay To Win 90 Minutes @ 1/3
Value Bet: Diego Forlan 1st Goal Uruguay To Win 2-0 Scorecast @ 18/1

Chile v Mexico

This fixture also in San Juan throws up a dilemma when considering the outcome simply because Mexico will be fielding a youthful line-up shorn of star players such as Javier Hernandez, Pablo Barrera and Andres Guardado following their recent CONCACAF Gold Cup success in the United States.

However, there will be some experience in the guise of Giovani dos Santos and Rafael Marquez Lugo and 31-year-old goalkeeper Luis Michel, who is confident they can compete with the best at the Copa America (50/1 Winner).

He said: “The group is working well, hard, and with a good mentality. We listen to our manager, so we know exactly how he wants us to play. There is quality (in this team), we have a great opportunity and we should take advantage of it.”

Chile (5/4 Group C Winner) will go into the game with goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, who is keen ‘not to raise false expectations’, insisting that the squad’s ‘ideal target’ is to at least reach the semi-finals and then possibly go on and win the tournament (10/1 Winner).

Chile’s hopes will no doubt rest on the shoulders of Udinese star Alexis Sanchez, whose excellent form in Italy’s Serie A has resulted in a summer bidding war for his signature.

La Roja also have West Brom’s Gonzalo Jara and Jean Beausejour, who will want to put relegation from the Premier League with Birmingham firmly behind him in Argentina.

It is set to be a close encounter in this Group C clash and one which Mexico could be made to pay for substituting experience with youth.

Prediction: Chile To Win 90 Minutes @ 4/9
Value Bet Chile To Win 2-1 Correct Score @ 13/2

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Swindon

The Wiltshire club face the Lions (4/7 – to gain promotion) at Wembley in a winner-takes-all encounter for a place in the Championship with their 3-2 defeat to the Londoners in the final match of the season still fresh in their minds.

Swindon took an early lead in that encounter only for Millwall to net three times before Billy Paynter’s 85th-minute goal got them back to within touching distance.

Danny Wilson’s men are known for their passing ability and stylish football but McGovern feels they did not play their own game in the season finale – something he has urged his team-mates to put right this time around.

“Maybe at their place we played into their hands a little bit,” he told the Advertiser. “We never got on the ball and we didn’t do the things which we are good at.

“It’s important that we stamp our authority on the game early doors on Saturday and show everybody what a good passing side we are.”

Paynter has scored 29 goals prior to the final with strike partner Charlie Austin netting 20 times this term and Swindon will look to those two for the goals that could secure a place in the second tier of English football by Saturday evening.

McGovern is aware of the importance of the strike duo but was quick to praise Wilson for the way he has guided the side to the brink of glory this season.

He added: “Everyone talks about Billy and Charlie and the goals they have scored, but as a team it has been fantastic and a lot of that is down to the manager and his assistant.”

There are plenty of betting opportunities for Saturday’s final with first goal-scorer always a popular bet.

Austin and Paynter are both on offer at 6/1 to score first wit the same price available for either of the pair to be the last goal-scorer as well.

Millwall’s Steve Morison is the 4/1 favourite to score first at Wembley, with team-mates Neil Harris and Gary Alexander trading at 5/1 and 6/1 respectively.

Both clubs know the rewards on offer for promotion to the Championship, having seen how a small club like Blackpool can defy the odds and reach the promised land of the Premiership.

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