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The Championship playoff race heats up with Hull facing key injury concerns while Ipswich continue their relentless pursuit of automatic promotion. Meanwhile, Leicester’s alarming decline continues as they face a potential drop to League One.
Here’s my complete analysis and predictions to help with your football betting
Sunderland
Luke O’Nien
I spend a lot of time in the North East and there’s a lot of people that maybe were questioning whether he would make the step to the Premier League, but I think he put that to bed the other night. His performances – you can never ever question Luke’s determination, his work rate, his passion for the football club, that would never be in question. And he stepped up in terms of ability to be able to handle the Premier League. I thought he was outstanding the other night. You saw that in his celebration at the end, the big smile on his face. The players as well around him were delighted for him. Everyone at the football club is. It’s a huge bonus for Regis Le Bris, isn’t it? Having someone like that in his squad, when players do get injured, he steps in and doesn’t look out of place. Now he’s pushing for a start and it’ll be interesting to see what Regis Le Bris does in the coming matches. Absolutely delighted to see him make his first Premier League start and I’m sure he’s going to make many, many more.
Lutsharel Geertruida
He’s proved he can play in numerous positions and he certainly hasn’t let the club down. Considering the speculation in January, he nearly left the football club and for him to put that to one side and continue to play and perform for the club without letting that affect him just shows you what the player is about. He’s got great abilities. The biggest thing is he can play in various positions. We’ve seen that already this season. He’s a good utility player and he’s the type of player that Sunderland should be looking to keep permanently because he’s proved he can play in the Premier League for sure.
Hull vs Millwall
Coyle and Crooks Absence
First and foremost, when you lose two of your influential players at this stage of the season, when you’re pushing for the playoffs, it’s a blow and the quicker you can get those players back the better. Of course, one is suspended, so that’s not a huge issue, but nevertheless, it’s not ideal. Again, if someone’s misfortune is someone else’s fortune, whoever comes in and steps into those roles – it’s a great opportunity. Having been there, being a manager, that’s all you can ask the players. When players are left out or they’re out of injury or suspension, whoever you put in, be ready and take your opportunity. It’s really important now for the senior players within the squad to step up and really help the younger players in the squad because they’re in a position – of course, they lost the other night, which was disappointing, but to a very good Ipswich team. They’ve had to step back now, the two players missing. It’s an opportunity for other people to come in and cement, try and cement a place in that side for the rest of the season.
Millwall’s Impressive Season under Alex Neil
It doesn’t surprise me. I’ve been in his company. I’ve watched his Sunderland side. I’ve watched his teams over the years. He’s that type of manager, very much on the front foot, wants his players to press and play aggressive style of football. To go to Millwall and do the job he’s done is outstanding. He’s done a magnificent job. Does it surprise me? No, because he’s got a history of doing that with teams. He got Sunderland promoted out of League One when many, many managers tried. He’s got great experience. The players, the squad he’s built there, the balance when you look at the squad of the senior players and the young players – he’s got a lot of young players. He’s recruited really, really well. He’s done a magnificent job there so far. Are they quite good enough to get in those top two spots? Listen, there’s still a good dozen games to go, 11, 12 games. There’s every opportunity. But at the minute, they’re in a wonderful position.
Millwall’s Standout Players
It’s a huge step. The players he brought in – Tommy Watson, Anthony Patterson – he brought competition. Barry Bannan, who he’s brought in, who’s a wonderful footballer, as we know. The young lad, Femi Azeez, he’s got nine goal contributions. They’re talking very, very highly of him down there. He’s had a superb season. He’s being likened to Bukayo Saka, which is a big statement. He’s been excellent. Also, to be successful in the Championship, you need to have a strong defence. Jake Cooper at centre-half, the big lad, he’s been there a while. He’s been an ever-present player this season. He’s been awesome. He’s a leader. Balancing the squad is really, really good. They’ve got some really, really talented players there.
Prediction
It should be a good game. Hull coming off the back of a loss, Millwall were great. But Hull will be hurting. I’m going to go for a score draw. 1-1.
Ipswich vs Leicester
Leicester’s Decline
My old club – coached there, played there, enjoyed my time there. It’s a wonderful football club, got good people in the background. To see it unfold in front of you after winning the Premier League, the FA Cup, is heartbreaking, really, and especially for the fans. To be in a position they’re in, to come from where they are, there’s going to be all sorts of various reasons why – appointments in terms of managers, players not stepping up, bad recruitment. It’s been a mixture of everything. The expectation as well because of what they did before. But recruitment over the years probably hasn’t been brilliant. Recruitment of some managers over the years hasn’t been great either. They’re in a real precarious situation at the moment. I can’t even think of a big club like Leicester getting relegated. It’s just not worth thinking about. But they’re in a relegation fight. They’ve got a real tough, tough ask on their hands this weekend.
Ipswich’s Promotion Push
They’ve got every opportunity. It was a magnificent win the other night. Sometimes you’d rather have the points in the bag than games in hand. But clearly, game in hand the other night, and they’ve got the result away from home, which was tremendous. They’re in an incredible position. When you look at the fixtures – Stoke away, Millwall home, Sheffield Wednesday away, and then away at the beginning of next month. It’s doable. Of course, the Millwall game is a big, big game, but Stoke away will be a test. They’ve got more than enough to go away and win at these places. Do I see them in the top two come the end of the month? Potentially. I can’t say yes or no, but they won’t be far away, that’s for sure.
Prediction
Unfortunately for my old team, I can’t see them going to Ipswich and getting anything with the way they’re performing and Ipswich being back at home in front of their crowd. It’ll still be tight, but I’m going Ipswich 2, Leicester 1.
Sheffield United vs West Brom
Mikey Johnston’s Injury
I don’t think it’ll be the final nail in the coffin for their survival because they’ve got other players in that squad that can step up. But when you’re in the position that they are, Morrison will be devastated to lose a player of his quality because he’s a match winner. He can turn a match, he can win a match. Very, very disappointing. But again, it’s an opportunity for someone else to step up and take that position. I don’t think it will be a final nail in the coffin. But again, like Leicester, they’re in a relegation battle. My old mate, teammate James Morrison has now been in charge till the end of the season, which is good because he knows the players. He knows the squad. He’s brought in a very good coach alongside him. They’re giving themselves every opportunity to stay in the league.
Prediction
I can’t see them going to Sheffield United and winning. It’ll be a tight game. Sheffield United have shown this season they’re a match for anyone. Sheffield United 2, West Brom 1.
Derby vs Sheffield Wednesday
Mike Ashley Takeover
A lot of people will criticise it, will not back it. But of course, there’s a lot – most Geordies in the North East couldn’t wait to see the back of Mike Ashley. But when you sit down and think about it, he spent some money there. I don’t think he’s afraid to spend money. The biggest thing – if he comes in, he can’t just see it as a business, a complete business. He has to back the manager and make funds available to go and strengthen that team because it’s a huge, huge football club. As long as he comes in and puts his hand in his pocket and backs it, then I have no issues with it whatsoever. He’s a businessman at the end of the day and a very good businessman. But if he comes back into football then I hope he comes in for the right reasons.
Prediction
Unfortunately I don’t see nothing but a Derby win. Great result for them last week. Derby 3, Sheffield Wednesday 1.
Preston vs Oxford
Preston’s Season
Preston again – they start seasons well, don’t they? And then they just fade off. It’s a huge ask for them to push for the playoffs. They haven’t got one of the biggest budgets in the league. It’s tough for them to be able to push for the playoffs. Then funds need to be made available and to bring in players that are on better wages, that are going to really try and push for a promotion, a playoff spot. Again, for those fans, they’re going to see the team start well and potentially finish mid-table and look to go again next season. In the summer, a bit of an overhaul, some new players in, funds available and hopefully they’ll make that push for the playoffs.
Matt Bloomfield and Oxford’s Survival
Firstly, if they do go down, he is a good manager. He has every opportunity of bringing that club back to the Championship. Again, it depends on what funds could be made available, what players leave, what players come in. But he’s the right type of manager to get them out of League One. Can he keep Oxford in the league? It’s going to be a tough, tough ask. All they can do every game is go out and give everything they’ve got. The players need to step up and perform. They showed that this week. They got a great win last week against West Brom. They’ll believe within the camp that they can do it. I wish them all the very best. He had a tough time at Luton, didn’t he? A lot of people saying they probably acted a little bit too early. He’s a good manager. He needs to get results with what, 11, 12 games left. It’s still there to play for. They’re not cut adrift. Only time will tell, but he’s a very good manager.
Will Lankshear
He’s a type of player that needs to step up. He’s on loan from Tottenham. He’s been on loan at West Brom, played a good amount of games and didn’t score. But this season, 33 appearances, seven goals. I’d like to see him – if Oxford have any opportunities to stay in the league – he’s chipping in now with seven, another seven or eight goals would give them a real opportunity. He’s got ability. He just needs to showcase it a little bit more consistently. But he’s a good player. You don’t play for Tottenham if you haven’t got ability. This is a good stage for him now to show what he’s really all about.
Prediction
It’ll be a home win. Preston 2, Oxford 1.
Blackburn vs Portsmouth
Michael O’Neill’s Comments on Squad Depth
He’s clearly frustrated with those comments. Until you go into a football club and you work closely with the squad, you don’t realise what you’ve got. He’s been in there a bit now and you can’t argue with his comments. He works with his players day in and day out. He might be using it as motivation, it might be used as a little dig at the board in terms of we need funds available, we need a bigger squad if we want to challenge. We spoke about it a few weeks ago – could he really be the manager next year to push them for the playoffs? Well, if funds are made available, he’s the right type of manager. Those remarks are a bit of frustration on his part, but also maybe a shot at the players to say, come on, those players that are not starting, when you get your opportunity, you’ve got to make an impact as simple as that. The squad is light. That’s just frustrating comments. It’ll be interesting to see now how they respond after that.
Prediction
Both teams have lost their last game. Blackburn at home, they’ll get a reaction from the players. Blackburn 2, Portsmouth 1.
Quick Predictions
Charlton vs Birmingham
Charlton at the Valley is very tough. Blues had a disappointing result the other night. I don’t think they’ll get beat but I can’t see them winning there. I’m going for a score draw. Charlton 1, Birmingham 1.
Bristol City vs Coventry
Coventry are flying. Bristol City lost last week. Bristol City 1, Coventry 2.
QPR vs Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough are flying at the right time of the season. QPR again, struggling, another loss. QPR 1, Middlesbrough 2.
Swansea vs Stoke
It’ll be a tight game, really, really tight game. Swansea are decent at home, not so great on their travels. Swansea 1, Stoke 0.
Looking ahead: Promotion and Relegation races heat up
The Championship playoff race intensifies with Hull, Millwall, and Ipswich all fighting for automatic promotion spots. Leicester’s crisis deepens as they face a potential historic relegation to League One, while West Brom and Oxford battle to preserve their Championship status.
With just 11 games remaining, every result could prove decisive in determining promotion and relegation.
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