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WATCH: Graham Hunter picks out a spicy 11/1 Spanish acca
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Sunday’s Premier League picks
After a long and entertaining Premier League season, the teams now have just two games left and Sunday has the potential to be an era-defining day for clubs at both the top and bottom of the league with the likes of Manchester City (1/2 Premier League outright), Manchester United, QPR and Bolton all in action.
The big match of the day is undoubtedly the early kick-off, which sees Champions League-chasing Newcastle host leaders City in a match that could almost seal the title for Roberto Mancini’s men (Newcastle 4/1, draw 3/1, Manchester City 4/6). The Citizens took what could turn out to be a gargantuan step towards winning their first championship since 1968 by beating Manchester United on Monday and currently lead the league on goal difference. Mancini himself has always said this match will decide whether or not they win the title and Alan Pardew’s in-form side will certainly fancy their chance having beaten Chelsea in the week. This one looks almost too close to call and, with both team’s being so easily matched, it may well end up being a draw.
Then at two, Aston Villa host Tottenham with both sides needing the points for highly contrasting reasons (Villa 10/3, draw 5/2, Tottenham 8/11). Despite a decent start to the season, the Villains have slipped in recent months and are now perilously close to the drop zone, meaning boss Alex McLeish is under huge pressure to produce a result. On the other hand Spurs have won their last two and victory at Villa Park would see them leapfrog Arsenal into third and almost guarantee them Champions League football. Unfortunately, Villa are currently a sorry sight and, although they should eventually avoid relegation, Tottenham will more than likely take a comfortable win on Sunday.
Also at two, there’s another match which could have a massive bearing on the relegation battle as Bolton welcome West Brom to the Reebok Stadium (Bolton evens, draw 13/5, West Brom 11/4). Despite losing 4-1 to Spurs in the week, the Trotters played well and will be confident of a victory that could see them climb out of the relegation zone while West Brom are already safe and with the news earlier this week that Roy Hodgson will leave the club in the summer, their players may already be on their holidays. This may turn out to be a cagey affair but with more to play for, Bolton should just sneak the points.
Fulham take on Sunderland in what looks as if it could be a cracker for the neutrals at Craven Cottage (Fulham 5/6, draw 13/5, Sunderland 7/2). Both teams had shaky starts to the season and at one point looked as if they could well be involved in a relegation battle. However, they have shown their class in the second half of the season and are both once again set for comfortable finishes. Although there’s not much to play for, both teams will want to win but home advantage could tell and the Cottagers should just sneak it.
In contrast to the game at the Cottage, QPR’s match with Stoke at Loftus Road will certainly be cagey as the Hoops looked to gain the win that could see them avoid relegation (QPR 10/11, draw 11/4, Stoke 3/1). Mark Hughes’ men go into the match knowing that realistically it will be their last chance to gain three points as they face title chasing City on the final day and will be desperate to win. On the other hand, the Potters have relatively little to play for but they’re always competitive, meaning it’s sure to be a physical encounter. Rangers’ extra desire for the points should see them shade it though but expect a closely fought affair.
In the final two o;clock kick-off, relegated Wolves take on Everton at Molineux (Wolves 4/1, draw 14/5, Everton 8/11). Terry Connor’s men have had a disappointing campaign but will be looking to go out with bang in what will be their last Premier League game for at least a season while Everton always play to win and with the pressure off both sides, this could end up being a cracker. However, the Toffees class should tell and expect them to run out comfortable winners in game packed with goals.
Finally, at four Manchester United take on Swansea at Old Trafford in another game that could shape the title race (United 2/11, draw 13/2, Swansea 14/1). Sir Alex Ferguson’s men currently trail rivals City on goal difference but know if the Citizens fail to win at Newcastle, a win will see them go above Mancini’s men in the table heading into the final weekend of the season. Despite dropping off in recent weeks, Swansea’s players appear to enjoy the big stage and will be looking to impress at Old Trafford but United should dominate the game and expect a comfortable win for the Red Devils.
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Monday’s Premier League picks
The end-of-season run-in is gathering pace and the bumper Easter programme continues with five Premier League games on Monday, with all of them offering value for the punter.
Everton v Sunderland
You could perhaps forgive the Everton players (10/11 in the match betting) if their minds drifted beyond this encounter and towards next week’s huge FA Cup semi-final with Liverpool at Wembley. Boss David Moyes will be keen to rotate his small squad as much as possible ahead of that game and, after making three changes for the match at Norwich on Saturday, expect even more for the visit of Sunderland (12/5).
Since taking charge in December Martin O’Neill has revitalised the Black Cats, who have lost just twice in eight games. They have a poor record at Goodison Park though, without a win there since 1996. So with that and Everton’s Wembley dreams in mind, back this one to be a draw.
Prediction: 1-1 @ 6/1
Newcastle v Bolton
Newcastle (8/13) are flying at the moment, putting real pressure on the sides above them in the race for a top four place. They have won their last four games and, in Papiss Cisse, have a striker in deadly form. The Senegalese hitman has scored seven in his last four and is a good tip to open the scoring again here (3/1).
Bolton (7/2) meanwhile were brought back down to earth with a bump when Fulham thrashed them 3-0 at the Reebok on Saturday. That ended a run of three successive wins and it is difficult to see them bouncing back at St James’ Park on Monday.
Prediction: 3-0 to Newcastle @ 11/1
Tottenham v Norwich
Tottenham (2/7) boss Harry Redknapp insists his players are relaxed about their hopes of a top four place but it cannot be denied that things are beginning to get tight at the top, with just two points separating Spurs in third and Newcastle in sixth. They appear to have recovered from a mid-season wobble that saw them lose three on the bounce, making it five games unbeaten with a goalless draw at Sunderland on Saturday.
The Lilywhites are tackling a Norwich side (15/2) who all but secured safety against Everton on Saturday, with the point earned in the 2-2 draw taking them to 40 points. With top-flight status assured they may play with more freedom, which could spell danger for Tottenham, whatever Redknapp says about the state of mind of his own squad. However, Spurs seem to have too many match winners for this game not to go their way, although it should be close.
Prediction: 2-1 to Spurs @ 7/1
Aston Villa v Stoke
Villa (11/10) have had more than their fair share of problems this season but given their recent form, more drama lies in wait for Alex McLeish’s men between now and the end of the season. They may have claimed a hard-earned point at Anfield on Saturday but their run of just one win in ten means they sit just six points clear of danger. One would normally expect a team in Stoke’s (2/1) position – comfortably in mid-table on 41 points – to relax going into the final few games. However, any team managed by Tony Pulis is unlikely to let that happen and Villa are up against it if they are to claim a valuable win here – another score draw.
Prediction: 1-1 @ 11/2
Fulham v Chelsea
If Roberto Di Matteo doesn’t want the permanent Chelsea job, he isn’t doing a very good job. The Blues (11/10) have lost just one of his ten games in charge to remain in contention for the Champions League, FA Cup and a top four spot. Stamford Bridge chief executive Ron Gourlay has insisted that a top four place is their priority, meaning a victory in the west London derby is vital at Craven Cottage if they are to achieve their primary ambition. That is easier said than done though with Fulham (5/2) a much stronger outfit on home turf than on the road. They have won eight games at home this season – more than any other side outside the top six – and look capable of causing a shock here, especially with the in-form Clint Dempsey (15/2 first goalscorer) in their ranks.
Prediction: 2-1 Fulham @ 12/1
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Premier League picks
There are number of games affecting both the top and bottom of the Premier League this Saturday – but is there any value for the punter? Here are the top picks for Saturday’s six Premier League encounters.
Bolton v QPR
With just two points separating the bottom five clubs any match involving two of those sides will prove decisive come the end of the season.
One of those encounters comes at the Reebok on Saturday where 16th placed QPR take on 19th placed Bolton. To say these teams are out of form is an understatement – Bolton have lost their last four while Rangers have only won one in 15.
Wanderers also have the worst home record in the division, winning eight points from their 13 games at the Reebok this campaign. That poor form, plus the fear of defeat, means this game has draw written all over it. With QPR going 18 straight games without a clean sheet the 1-1 draw is worth backing at 11/2.
Aston Villa v Fulham
Villa boss Alex McLeish will be desperate for a victory to try and ease the pressure that has been placed upon him in recent weeks. The Midlands club have taken just three points from a possible 15 to slip worryingly close to the bottom five and the fans have been quick to voice their displeasure at the Scot’s management of the club.
Fulham meanwhile are bang in form, winning their last three games to rise up to eighth in the table. They thumped Wolves 5-0 last time out with new boy Pavel Pogrebnyak grabbing a hat-trick – his fifth goal in just three appearances. Will he score again? Well he is a handy 6/1 to notch first and a Pogrebnyak/2-1 Fulham scorecast is a very tasty 45/1.
Chelsea v Stoke
The post-AVB era continues for Chelsea with a tough looking clash with Stoke at Stamford Bridge. Caretaker manager Roberto Di Matteo led the Blues to victory in the FA Cup in midweek but he knows his priority has to be ensuring the club qualify for next season’s Champions League. They currently sit in fifth place, three points behind Arsenal, and know they cannot afford any slip-ups between now and the end of the season.
Stoke go into the game in-form after consecutive wins over Swansea and Norwich but four wins from 23 Premier League away games suggests this will be another tough trip on the road for the Potters. Chelsea haven’t failed to score at home since February 2011, so go for a convincing Blues victory, with 3-0 Chelsea priced at 7/1.
Sunderland v Liverpool
Sunderland will be hoping to close the gap on Liverpool to just two points with a win at the Stadium of Light – a sign of the progress the club has made since Martin O’Neill took over last December. They are, however, counting the cost of last weekend’s feisty derby with Newcastle with captain Lee Cattermole and Stephane Sessegnon suspended following their red cards.
Liverpool have a fine record against Sunderland, with their only defeat in the last 11 games coming thanks to a Darren Bent goal deflected off a beach ball two years ago. You can expect that run to continue with Luis Suarez – who has scored in his two appearances against the Black Cats – to be on the mark again. Suarez is 11/2 to score first, with a Suarez 2-0 scorecast priced at 33/1.
Wolves v Blackburn
Part two of the day’s relegation six-pointer double header sees 18th placed Wolves take on 17th placed Blackburn. Rovers are only out of the bottom three courtesy of goal difference and head to a ground where they won on the final day of last season to ensure their Premier League survival.
Wolves boss Terry Connor will take charge of Wanderers for the first time at home and will be looking for a response after their 5-0 mauling at Fulham last time out. The goals market is the one to back in this one – Wolves have not kept a clean sheet in 12 home games while Rovers haven’t shut the opposition out in 32 away games. 2-3 goals is priced at 10/11, with our score prediction being an entertaining 2-2 draw priced at 14/1.
Everton v Tottenham
After consecutive defeats against Arsenal and Manchester United effectively ended their title charge, Spurs will be keen to kick start their season again in order to avoid dropping out of the top four.
History suggests they could well do so at Goodison Park. Spurs have only lost three of 19 Premier League visits to the home of the Toffees. However, they have not won any of their last four and are taking on an Everton side embarking on yet another post-Christmas surge.
Chelsea and Man City have been beaten in successive home games, so the visit of the Londoners will pose no fears for David Moyes’ men. This is another game where there should be goals, with the over 2.5 goals market priced at 5/6, with our scorecast a 2-2 draw at 14/1.
Louis Saha has scored in the last two games between these two sides at Goodison Park but is now wearing a Spurs shirt. The last time he lined up in the opposition against the Toffees at Goodison he scored twice. As such he may be worth a punt at 3/2 to score at anytime on Saturday.
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Friday football picks
Fleetwood Town can consolidate pole position at the top of the Blue Square Premier on Friday – and Stuttgart should not be scoffed at at odds-on to beat rock-bottom Kaiserslautern in Germany’s Bundesliga.
Kidderminster v Fleetwood
Conference table-toppers Fleetwood look well priced at evens to collect maximum points away to Kidderminster on Friday. The Cod Army have not lost on the road since early September last year and have only conceded two goals in their last six away trips. They could go eight points clear of nearest-challengers Wrexham at the top of the Blue Square Premier and in midweek proved the can go to the final whistle when securing a last-gasp win at home to Grimsby Town.
Andy Mangan and Jamie Vardy have more than 40 goals between them so far this season and, given that Kidderminster have not kept a clean sheet at home in five in the Conference, will again be looking to get among the goals.
Even relegation-threatened Hayes and Yeading managed to find the net at Aggborough Stadium and the recent home form about Steve Burr’s men does not bode well for the visit of the league leaders. Harriers (9/4, draw 9/4 – totesport match prices) have lost their last two on home soil and have only won one of their last seven games in all competitions.
Chievo v Inter Milan
Claudio Ranieri will roll out his big guns when Internazionale make the trip to the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi in Verona to take on Chievo attempting to end a nine-game winless run. The Nerazzurri ended a five-game losing stretch with a come-from-behind 2-2 draw against Catania last Sunday, but it was not enough to stop speculation about the future of under-pressure coach Ranieri.
Goals have become a major issue for Inter – prior to last weekend they had not scored in five games in all competitions – but the Italian will again turn to Diego Forlan and Diego Milito for a solution. Inter also have the small task of overturning a 1-0 first-leg defeat by Marseille in the Champions League next week, but Ranieri cannot afford to be tinkering at such a critical stage of his Nerazzurri tenure.
Chievo must not be underestimated home – they have only lost three in Serie A all season – but they have only scored 11 goals in the top flight in Verona, only Cesena (nine) have scored less goals at home, so it may play to go with a low-goals projection.
Stuttgart v Kaiserslautern
Free-scoring Stuttgart will view the visit of basement club Kaiserslautern as a perfect opportunity to make it three wins on the bounce at Mercedes-Benz-Arena.
The recent visits of fellow strugglers Hertha Berlin and Freiburg can be used as collateral lines of form and Die Roten run out comfortable winners, prevailing 5-0 and 4-1 respectively, with in-form striker Martin Harnik helping himself to five goals over the two games.
Kaiserslautern simply do not travel well – they have won only one game on the road this season – and have conceded in every away trip in Bundesliga. They have only won three top-flight games all season and not scored in 180 minutes, while they are also the joint-lowest scorers on the road with Nurnberg with nine.
As such Stuttgart are priced accordingly (4/7 draw 14/5 Kaiserslautern 9/2 – totesport match prices), but it may pay to follow the 5/4 about Stuttgart half-time/full-time given that this would have landed in their last two games.
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Champions League picks
Warm-up wins for CSKA Moscow against the likes of Videoton, Kryla Soveotov and Politehnica Timisoara is hardly ideal preparation for the visit of nine-time European champions Real Madrid – and Chelsea must be vulnerable going to Napoli in the Champions League in Tuesday’s picks.
Forget any notion of Spanish sunshine, Real can expect temperatures to drop as low as -5C in Moscow for their round of 16 first-leg clash against the Army Men (CSKA Moscow 7/1 draw 10/3 Real Madrid 4/9 – 90 minutes).
However, the freezing weather is likely to be the only obstacle standing in the way of Spain’s capital club recording a fourth straight away win on the road in Europe so far this season.
Jose Mourinho’s men have also not even conceded a goal away from the Santiago Bernabeu and the Portuguese coach, a two-time winner of Europe’s elite club competition, has too many established professionals at his disposal to worry about the cold.
The La Liga table-toppers ’scored in both halves’ away to Lyon and Ajax in the Champions League already this season, so the 6/5 about the same outcome at the Stadion Luzhniki could appeal.
CSKA will draw inspiration from a record against Spanish opponents which shows no defeats in a total of five games, home and away, but Real Madrid are a class above and a lack of genuine match sharpness means this is a massive ask for the Russians.
Leonid Slutsky will also be missing Russia’s number one goalkeeper, Igor Akinfeev, meaning Sergey Chepchugov will make only his seventh appearance for the club.
If under-pressure Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas is hoping for a kind fixture at the Stadio San Paolo away from the spotlight, he is sadly mistaken.
Napoli ended Manchester City’s hopes in the Champions League group stage and will be desperate to claim another Premier League scalp when the west Londoners arrive in Naples for the first-ever meeting between the two sides.
Since returning to continental competition after 13 years in 2008, the Serie A high-flyers have gone 11 matches unbeaten and, priced generously at 13/10 (draw 9/4, Chelsea 9/4 – 90 minutes), stand their best chance of adding to the turmoil at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have slipped out of the top four in the Premier League and were held to a 1-1 draw by Championship side Birmingham in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday, while Villas-Boas has been forced to deny claims his job is on the line and Daniel Sturridge has rubbished reports of a dressing-room revolt.
Forget the behind-the-scenes nonsense, the truth is Chelsea are not playing well enough – they have won just one of their last six games in all competitions – a 1-0 win away at QPR in the FA Cup – and the best they can hope for in Italy is to avoid defeat.
This is the stage Napoli’s principal striker Edinson Cavani relishes and he scored twice against Roberto Mancini’s men.
At 11/8, and against a vulnerable Chelsea defence potentially missing John Terry, the Uruguay powerhouse simply cannot be ignored to ‘score anytime‘.
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Friday’s football picks
Southend will view the visit of Rotherham United as a chance to get back to winning ways in League Two on Friday, while Wolfsburg host SC Freiburg in Germany’s Bundesliga and FC Twente entertain Heracles Almelo in Eredivisie in the Netherlands.
Southend United v Rotherham United
Southend have hit a wall in recent weeks and are without a win in three in all competitions but have a chance to reinvigorate their promotion push when out-of-form Rotherham head to Essex.
Paul Sturrock pulled no punches with a damning assessment of his players’ second-half performance against relegation-threatened Plymouth, when they let slip a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 in the last five minutes, and will demand a response.
He told BBC Essex: “In the first half we were so dominant. We were in their faces and the right positions.
“We decided that 2-0 is what it’s about and you can’t do that. We decided we were a football team and played it square and back. We’ve paid the price.”
The Millers have only won one in five in League Two and have slipped to 13th in the table, while they have only won four away from South Yorkshire.
The 10/11 about the Shrimpers to collect maximum points (5/2 draw 3/1 Rotherham – match prices) and go, temporarily at least, to the top of the table is good enough.
Wolfsburg v SC Freiburg
It is difficult to make a case for Germany’s rock-bottom club SC Freiburg at odds of 3/1 (8/11 Wolfsburg 5/2 draw – match prices) at the Volkswagen Arena on Friday.
Breisgau-Brasilianer returned from the winter break with an encouraging win against fellow basement dwellers Augsburg but have not won in two since.
The Wolves were not disgraced when losing 2-0 to Bayern Munich and last week held Borussia Monchengladbach to a goalless draw in Lower Saxony.
They have not lost a home game in all competitions since a 3-2 defeat by Hertha Berlin at the end of October but, either side of that, have been a tough nut to crack on home soil and the return of Mario Mandzukic (11/10 – Score Anytime) will boost them in the final third.
FC Twente v Heracles Almelo
Steve McClaren’s FC Twente have been in sparkling form since the return of the top flight in the Netherlands – scoring nine and conceding once – and can go level on points with PSV and AZ with victory on Friday against Heracles at De Grolsch Veste.
The match prices – FC Twente 2/9 draw 21/5 Heracles 17/2 – would indicate this is a formality for the Tukkers and even a cursory look at Heracles’ shambolic recent away form would back this up.
Heraclieden have not win in five on the road in the top flight and McClaren’s men should have little trouble franking their recent form.
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Wednesday’s Premier picks
Premier League game week 23 is wrapped up on Wednesday but a number of trappy fixtures could make for a difficult night for punters – here’s some potential clues about winning bets.
Aston Villa have not won at home in the Premier League since a 3-2 victory against Norwich City on November 5 last year, so look a tad short at 5/6 (draw 13/5 QPR 7/2 – match prices) to take maximum points off newcomers QPR on Wednesday.
Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Swansea have all returned from Villa Park with a win in recent weeks, while Everton grabbed a 1-1 draw, and the manner in which they collapsed against the Gunners in the FA Cup has to be of concern to manager Alex McLeish.
Mark Hughes has shown signs of turning the Rangers dressing-room around and could be bolstered by the arrival of a number of new signings for the trip.
The Welshman must improve on a wretched run of away results which has yielded just three wins in the Premier League but, at 5/6 +1 in the match handicap, the west Londoners could sneak a point, while the under 2.5 goals market at 8/11 seems a fair recommendation.
Blackburn Rovers will be looking to continue their fight against relegation with the visit of Newcastle United on Wednesday.
The Ewood Park outfit have only lost once in the Premier League since Boxing Day but recent defeats to West Brom, Bolton and Stoke on home soil has undermined their efforts to consolidate their top-flight status. The hosts have also yet to be involved in a goalless draw in the top flight this season.
Demba Ba, Cheik Tiote and new signing Papiss Cisse remain on African Cup of Nations duty, meaning Newcastle have to be blunted as an attacking force.
The visitors have only managed to win one of their last six away matches, a 2-0 win over Bolton, while Rovers forward David Goodwillie has found the back of the net in his last two appearances and can be backed at 2/1 (Anytime Scorer).
Bolton look a big price (4/1, draw 11/4 Arsenal 8/11 – match prices) to carry on where they left off at home against Liverpool by beating Arsenal at the Reebok.
Owen Coyle has no new injury concerns for the visit of the north Londoners but must arrest a wretched run against the Gunners of just one win in the last 10 meetings between the two sides in the top flight.
Robin van Persie has scored 20 goals in his last 20 Premier League away appearances and it would be folly to ignore the Dutch goal-getter at 5/2 (First Goalscorer).
Arsenal have conceded the most goals away from home in the Premier League (25) and, with concerns again in defence, the over 2.5 goals market is priced accordingly at 8/13.
Fulham continue to put in their best performances at Craven Cottage but the visit of improved travellers West Brom could prove an arm wrestle.
Liverpool, Bolton Arsenal and Newcastle United have all left west London empty-handed in recent weeks and the improved form of Clint Dempsey – the American has scored five in five at home – means at 13/8 (Anytime Scorer) he has to be a consideration.
The Baggies have improved markedly away from the Hawthorns – losing only 1-0 to Tottenham in just one defeat in five in the top flight – but the Cottagers have conceded just once and scored 15 goals in their last five home matches against Wednesday’s opponents.
A difficult fixture to make a call so play safe and take the draw at 13/5.
Another difficult betting proposition sees Sunderland entertain newcomers Norwich City at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats continue to make progress under Martin O ‘Neill and have only lost twice since the Northern Irishman’s arrival on Wearside, but the Canaries are flying high since the turn of the year and have not lost in five in all competitions – scoring 10 goals in the process.
Norwich are unbeaten in four on the road in the Premier League and appeal at evens +1 in the match handicap.
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Tuesday’s Championship picks
There are nine matches in the Championship on Tuesday as the race for automatic promotion and the play-off places hots up. We will have a look at three of the big contests and try to pick a winner or two (West Ham 10/11 Championship Outright).
Ipswich v West Ham
West Ham go into the clash with Ipswich sitting on top of the pile and looking good for an immediate return to the Premier League.
But boss Sam Allardyce knows that there could still be a few twists and turns before the end of the season with plenty of clubs within touching distance ready to strike if the Hammers start to falter.
They head into Tuesday’s encounter in East Anglia having secured three successive league victories and confidence will be high that they will make it four as they face an Ipswich side at the wrong end of the table and just four points outside of the relegation zone.
West Ham have won eight times on their travels so far this term, while The Tractor Boys have been less that convincing on the own patch with seven defeats already and so it all points to a tough outing for Paul Jewell’s men.
The hosts have not won a Championship match since beating Derby 1-0 on December 17 and their position in the table reflects a lack of success and confidence in recent times.
Lee Bowyer will miss the match due to a groin injury, while goalkeeper Alex McCarthy is another absentee as he serves a one-match suspension.
And Jewell could hand a debut to midfielder Ryan Stevenson after he signed from Hearts, while Matt Taylor is set to return to the West Ham squad.
Taylor has had two outings for the reserves to prove his fitness and may return but fellow midfielder Papa Bouba Diop looks set to miss out with a hamstring injury.
Odds: Ipswich 11/4, West Ham Evens, draw 5/2
Southampton v Cardiff City
Southampton will go top of the table if they beat Cardiff and the Hammers suffer defeat to Ipswich and victory will see them open up a four-point gap over the Bluebirds in third place.
Therefore there is much on the line for Nigel Adkins’ side as they host the Carling Cup finalists at St Mary’s Stadium.
And they certainly need a lift after some poor results of late with only six points taken from their last five Championship games and a 2-0 defeat to Leicester in their last league outing.
But the south coast outfit will face a Welsh side in red-hot form, as they have taken 11 points from a possible 15, while also dumping Crystal Palace out of the Carling Cup to book a date at Wembley against Liverpool.
Southampton will have to do without defender Jos Hooiveld, who misses out with a hamstring strain but Jose Fonte and Richard Chaplow are fit to play after recovering from injury.
Iago Falque is back after being cup-tied while Adam Lallana will be given a late fitness test on his groin injury.
Cardiff manager Malky Mackay has has no new injury worries as captain Mark Hudson returns after a calf strain with full-back Kyle McNaughton also likely to start after returning from a spell on the sidelines.
Odds: Southampton 10/11, Cardiff 3/1, draw 5/2
Hull v Doncaster
Hull take on Doncaster at the KC Stadium desperately trying to hang on to the final play-off spot.
They currently sit in sixth place in the table, just two points better off than Birmingham, who play Leeds on Tuesday evening.
With their participation in the FA Cup now over, boss Nick Barmby can concentrate his efforts on keeping pace with the top clubs in the second tier of English football to try and plot a course back to the promised land.
They have won their last two league games but suffered three straight defeats prior to beating Reading and Peterborough.
Consistency is the key to a sustained promotion push and Hull have been unable to string together too many wins in recent times but they will never have a better chance of landing the spoils than against a Doncaster side second bottom in the table.
The South Yorkshireman have taken just four points from their past five games and need to get something going pretty quickly if they are to stave of the threat of relegation.
But they will face a Hull side that should be back to full strength after Barmby rested several players for the FA Cup defeat to Crawley.
It will be tough for Donny and it is difficult to see past a Tigers’ victory.
Odds: Hull 4/7, Doncaster 11/2, draw 11/4
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