Saturday championship and League one plans

Norwich V Barnsley

13th placed Norwich entertain 14th placed Barnsley and will look to maintain their unbeaten home record which dates back to early November. Norwich have looked a little more composed in recent times and apart from that 4 – 0 defeat last weekend to Leicester, their away form has improved which has taken them out of relegation problems.
As mentioned above, their home form has been solid if unspectacular and they have taken some decent draws against the likes of Charlton, Wolves and Hull.
Barnsley meanwhile come into this game on the back of their amazing 2 – 1 FA Cup win over Liverpool at Anfield. Not even the most loyal supporters could see a victory in that game, especially after the home side took the lead. But a late late Howard goal sealed the deal and in the process created one of the shocks of the season. However its back to the basics on Saturday and an away trip to Norwich will not be the easiest place to try and get settled back into the League routine. Barnsley’s away form makes for dismal reading. One win in sixteen attempts gives them the poorest away record in the league and their recent results read with a 2 – 0, 3 – 0 and a 4 – 0 defeat.

Verdict
Both teams come into this one with completely different results from last weekend. Norwich suffered their heaviest defeat of the season whereas Barnsley had that remarkable win at Anfield. There is a large amount of expectation on Barnsley to reproduce the goods again but it will be a big ask. Teams that “overachieve” (no offence to fans intended) are often brought back to earth with a bang and that may be the case again here. Norwich also have a point to prove after their defeat last weekend and will look to make home advantage count.
Neither side are prolific in the goalscoring charts and Barnsley have failed to score in the last three away games.
I’m leaning towards the 1 – 0 win for the home side and think that the odds for the home win are ok for a medium sized bet.



Coventry V Leicester

Chris Coleman will look to get his new job off to a good start against Leicester and help push the Sky Blues further away from that dreaded drop zone. Coventry have been very unpredictable this season but have being playing a bit more fluently and with a bit more confidence lately, especially at home where they have taken 7 points from the last possible 12. Not incredible reading I know but for a team in 20th position they do seem to be keeping their head just above water and can take another 3 points against a poor travelling Leicester side. Their away record is poor so it’s safe to assume that they keep their best performances for their home crowd. Chris Coleman has spoken of his surprise at the players confidence which can only be a good sign and the new manager has indicated that Saturdays clash will be treated like a cup final by the home side.
Leicester are just one point ahead of their opponents but having played 2 games more are still very much relegation candidates, With just 2 wins and 8 draws on the road this season they could be described as a draw specialist of sorts but this label has deserted them in recent weeks with only 3 goals and 2 points in their last 6 efforts. They failed to register a single shot on target against Watford in their last away game and this is more evidence of the fact that they have one of the poorer strike rates in the championship. Much like their opponents they seem to save their better performances for the home games and will look to keep this game tight and take a point.

Verdict
Two similar teams on view but I think home advantage may be crucial in this one. It also has to be taken into account that the Coventry players are playing in front of new management so a 100% focused and committed performance is to be expected. The “honeymoon period” may just be enough to give the hosts a narrow victory and leapfrog their opponents.
Coventry to win 1 or 2 - 0

Bristol Rovers V Tranmere

17th placed Bristol Rovers take on 5th placed Tranmere here but don’t let the league positioning fool you.
Bristol may be a long way off the top but on closer inspection are only 11 points adrift with a mammoth 4 games in hand. It may also come as a surprise to many that a top 6 finishing position is still in the minds of Paul Trollope and his charges. The recent FA Cup success against Southampton was another indication of how they are moving in the right direction and a ¼ final draw at home to Chelsea is a huge bonus.
Back to the league form though and with three wins on the trot at home Bristol are moving in the right direction. They have tasted defeat only once in their last 14 matches, collecting nine clean sheets in the process and have a tough defence to break down.
13 goals in their last 7 home games would indicate that their forward unit is playing well together and this will be a good test for them against a Tranmere side looking for their 4th consecutive clean sheet on their travels.
Tranmere’s defence has pivotal in their recent good form. 5 clean sheets in their last 6 outings has helped them take 14 points from a possible 18 and that’s the kind of form that has taken them to the playoff spots. With 1st place all but wrapped up by Swansea and 2nd place being fought out for by Doncaster, Forest and Carlisle, Tranmere may just look to keep the good results coming and consolidate a playoff place and give themselves a chance of promotion.

Verdict
Just a quick glance over the stats and you will struggle to find any reason why there will be goals in this one. Tranmere’s defence has been amazingly good but it cant last and I think Bristol Rovers may just do enough to nick this 1 – 0.
Taking the home side draw no bet pays out at 1.82 at canbet and with the added insurance if it’s a draw is good enough for me



PICKS
Norwich -0.5 (1.94 @ canbet) 5 points
Coventry 0,-0.5 (2.13 @ pinnacle) 6 points
Bristol Rovers +0 ( 1.82 @ canbet) 4 points