[Swooperman]

31 Dec-12:00 Leeds v Hull 8/15 11/4 9/2
31 Dec-13:00 Brighton v Millwall 11/10 11/5 11/5
31 Dec-13:00 Burnley v Sheff Wed 8/13 5/2 4/1
31 Dec-13:00 Cardiff v Southampton 5/4 21/10 2/1
31 Dec-13:00 Ipswich v Luton 6/5 11/5 2/1
31 Dec-13:00 Preston v Coventry 5/6 11/5 3/1
31 Dec-13:00 Watford v Crystal Palace 13/10 11/5 7/4
31 Dec-15:00 Crewe v QPR 11/8 9/4 13/8
31 Dec-15:00 Leicester v Norwich 6/4 9/4 6/4
31 Dec-15:00 Sheff Utd v Stoke 4/7 5/2 9/2
31 Dec-15:00 Wolverhampton v Plymouth 8/11 12/5 10/3
31 Dec-17:15 Derby v Reading 11/5 11/5 11/10
odds Bet365

[MickeyPaul]

Leeds @ 1.67 Skybet looks quite interesting. Anyone? 2nd in the form table behind Reading, impressive home stats: W7 D3 L2 F20 A12 - Hull down the lower end of the away table with only 2 wins in 13 and only 12 goals. You wouldn't say Hull's form is too hot either with 3 wins in 10 and from what I recall reading about them in reports, they don't sound like they have a great deal to offer.

I see bet365 have Reading at 1.90 now btw which is a shame as they certainly seem capable of squeezing another win out. Only 3 goals conceded in their last 10 and only 3 conceded in 13 away matches. Pretty amazing stat that.

[MickeyPaul]

Going over Hull's more recent reports and it seems the same story from when I last checked them out. They appear to offer little in way of attacking threat or creativity and I think they've perhaps been a bit lucky with a few of their draws this season which could easily have been defeats.

They've gone to Crewe and Brighton (both down the lower end of the home table) in recent games and sound lucky to have come away with a point after Crewe missed a few chances to make the game safe in their 2-2. Brighton notched their first win in 10 against them before that and again Hull sound a rather poor side to me although there are signs they're capable on their day with a decent sounding performance at Burnley in a 1-0 defeat. Leeds should see them off though shouldn't they?

A few more interesting fixtures there worth looking at. Back later.

[keemanan]

Couldn't agree more on the Reading price Mp , it simply has to be taken to teach these snakes a lesson. Derby will have no answer to their mighty confidence and the lovely pitch should provide the perfect settings for their talents. i rate the Rams well behind Wolves formwise and they were dispatched with a nonchelance. Simply take that price.

Looking at leeds to mp , also Burnley at home again , maybe luton at struggling Ipswich , Norwich again look a possibility at leicester. Not a bad set this weekend in all , money to be had in this division I gaurentee it

[MickeyPaul]

You've become so confident and daring, Keem. I was actually complaining about the Reading price as Bet365 were originally 2.10 - now 1.90 - Reading just don't concede though do they? And they seem to have goals in them too when required. I'll be thinking about it. Hard to argue against Burnley I suppose and Norwich is one I'd have considered but I'm always wary of Leicester even though they're struggling. Oh, Luton I have jotted down too.

What about Preston btw? Coventry did finally get that away win they so badly wanted but it was quickly followed by a 3-1 defeat at Leeds and Preston unbeaten in 14 now I think. Not bad odds for the home all things considered.

[keemanan]

Preston just draw too many MP 14 this season in all , Nugents not scoring even though he's playing well , I have respect too for any Mickey Adams teams at this level so I'm swerving this one.
Sturrock's woeful wednesday team got a 0-0 there recently and the daft cnut said "well not many teams will come away from preston with anything" ! well yes they will actually , in fact only 2 teams have come away from preston with nothing!
which brings be on to my next bet
I think Burnley can be supported with confidence against a woefull Sheff Wednesaday.
We all know that the yorkshire side haven't found the back of the net since November 19th , 7 straight games.
Burnley have won their last 6 games at Turf moor. No injuries for the clarets make the 4/6 I'm looking at very appealing indeed.
from teamtalk
"Certain players aren't taking responsibility," said Sturrock. "We can talk about Lady Luck but there are people out there who aren't going in where it hurts.
"We've got to battle even harder to get that elusive goal and win.
"We've learned how to lose, sometimes gracefully, so we've got to learn how to start winning again," said Sturrock.
Burnley 4/6 (7/10)

[keemanan]

I'm looking at my betfred fixed odds coupon here which says
READING EVENS

It's the best thing I've read all xmas , it's on tv too so you can watch your money double.

[MickeyPaul]

Ok Keemanan - I'm just about ready to take that evs for Reading. I have a horrible feeling they're away to run into some bad luck some time soon but hopefully they can wait. They're also evs at eurobet and a few other bookies I've not really heard of.

edit: Nope. 1.9 at eurobet too now.

[keemanan]

They're a machine MP , reminds me of city when we won the ccc at a canter , 99 points and 100 goals. they will definately give you a run for your money and yes I agree they will come a cropper at some time but that price is just too good to pass up on if's and maybe's

Dont blame me though when the get gubbed

Anyroad , I'm just as confident about Leeds.
Leeds warrant an interest too this weekend , a tight defensive unit has been built at Elland Rd and apart from an abboration at home to Cardiff they are very hard to beat on home turf. Up to third they have play offs in their nostrils and Sheff Utd in their sights. This is a game that they must win if they are to catch the blades. Hull aren't the worst team in the league but I think the stature of Leeds will be too much for them , a telling stat is that they have won only once against the teams at the top this season and only twice away. This would be a substantial shock were they to pull off even a draw here.
Blackwell sounds bullish on teamtalk here:

"It's a whole raft of things and the players are showing the work ethic and the desire to put their body on the line when they need to. But we've got skill as well with the likes of Eddie Lewis, David Healy and Robbie Blake, who can open people up."

Taylor is ready too

"Saturday's game at Leeds is going to be very difficult. They are favourites, but we will go there and have a plan.
"It's a chance to play one of the biggest clubs in the country. If players don't go there and look to enjoy the chance, I'd be surprised."

Their plan will be to defend which is their strongpoint
Leeds 8/13 (8/10)

[Computer Guy]

As a Leeds fan, if we are going to slip up this Xmas/New Year, then Hull is the game it will be in. No concrete reasoning, just gut feeling, instinct, call it what you will.

[keemanan]

not very logical for a computer guy there matey

I'm putting that down to twisted bias , you're doing well , steady progress.

[Computer Guy]

Nah not really. I took a look at the fixtures before crimbo and which one jumps out at you as the proverbial 'slip-up'.............home to Hull.

[keemanan]

Let's hope not eh


Anyway Can Norwich carry on this run and maybe force their way into the playoffs? Can they defeat Leicester on the road?
is 13/8 worth taking?
In short yes , yes and probably not.
For me 2nd place is still up for grabs in this league , sheff utd are not certs as Warnock get's the jitters on the last turn on the back straight.
Norwich still have the team to challenge and now that they are stringing together some good results , they hammered Sheff Utd away , humbled southampon and there's no reason to think they cant gubb Leicester. No win in 5 for Leicester they were booed off at half time last home game . Levein laments in teamtalk after getting beaten by Reading:

"They made the decisions of a team playing with confidence while we made the decisions of a team lacking confidence," Levein said.

Worthington had this to say after their good win at home to a solid Burnley

"I think we're just working hard - that's what you've got to do in this league.
"We scored two good goals in the first half and looked comfortable.
"But we made hard work of it in the second half by not making the right decisions. We are big enough and old enough to know better."

All in all I'm backing Norwich here to make a break for the play off's , I'm gambling on them going on a long run of victories. I dont normally like to back away teams in tight games but I think it's worth it

Norwich 13/8 (5/10)

[mrmuzeman]

Wolves are so prone to a draw im always thinking about betting against them when theyre at home with the customary short odds they carry. With Plymouth your guaranteed effort and ive laid in favour of Plymouth twice this season (v Watford, v Cardiff) and they did the biz both times. Ill take them to get something here too.

Stoke are bang in form with 4 recent away wins and since Sheff U are stuttering lately and Stoke tough to beat Ill be laying in favour of Stoke here too.

[keemanan]

yeah I pretty much steer clear of Wolves games in general MrM , far too unpredicatable.

Just looking at Stoke , apparently theu totally outplayed Leeds , admitted by the leeds fans too, had 65% possesion and missed a pen. Their fans blame their poor finishing which is a major worry. Just been on a blades site and they seem confident , a brave man to back against them but a great price too so good luck