English Championship Correct Score Predictions: Week Three 22/08/09

Saturday 22nd August

• Coventry v Swansea – Coventry lost the leagues only 100% winning record with a dull, goalless draw away at Doncaster. Chris Coleman’s side held on under sustained pressure to leave Yorkshire with a point, taking their tally to seven. Swansea ended the leagues only 100% losing record courtesy of a 0-0 draw at home to Reading; the point enough to lift them off the foot of the table on goal difference. Verdict 2-0.
• Crystal Palace v Newcastle – Shola Ameobi’s fourth goal in two games was enough to see Newcastle defeat Sheffield Wednesday at St James Park. They currently have a haul of seven points, but have lost several key players as they look to trim their wage bill. Palace put three goals past Roy Keane’s hapless Ipswich in their last match, Neil Warnock’s side still smarting from the goal that never was at Bristol City. Verdict 1-1.
• Derby v Plymouth - Derby and Plymouth have both started the season in mediocre fashion; Plymouth following two draws with a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Cardiff. The game at Pride Park could go either way, with both sides having a chance to take all three points. Verdict 2-1. 
• Leicester v Barnsley -Leicester have not been overawed by their return to the Championship, and held out for a creditable 1-1 draw against Sheffield United in their last match. They did sustain a number of injuries to key players, but will still hope to press a Barnsley side who start the match at the foot of the table. Verdict 2-1.
• Middlesbrough v Doncaster - Boro remain unbeaten after a 2-0 win away at Scunthorpe. Gareth Southgate’s men could go top if they can beat Doncaster, who, also unbeaten, have managed just three draws this term. Verdict 2-0.
• Preston v Peterborough -Preston climbed to five points with a 3-0 win away at Barnsley. They go into this match still unbeaten after draws against Doncaster and Bristol City. Peterborough have just the one point thus far, and will need to tighten up their defence if they are to improve on that tally. Verdict 2-1.
• QPR v Nottm Forest -QPR and Forest have both started the season in less than promising fashion, both teams sitting at the wrong end of the table with two and one point respectively. Three points and a first victory are the reward for the team who wants it most in this encounter at Loftus Road. Verdict 2-2.
• Reading v Sheff Utd - Reading and Sheffield United were both tipped as title contenders at the beginning of the season, with the Blades looking most likely to fulfill those predictions. They remain unbeaten after a 1-1 draw at home to Leicester, whilst Reading could only draw against lowly Swansea. Verdict 0-1.
• Sheff Wed v Scunthorpe – Scunthorpe were well beaten in their last match against promotion chasing Boro, but got off the mark in the previous game with a 3-2 home win against Derby. The Owls are still without a win this term, narrowly missing out on a share of the points in a 1-0 defeat to Newcastle in their last match. Verdict 2-1.
• Watford v Blackpool -Watford have had a varied start to the season, winning, drawing and losing in their first three games. They seem to have clicked into gear with four goals away at the City Ground, and will hope to keep hold of striker Tommy Smith on the back of his inspiring performance. Blackpool were involved in yet another draw midweek; a 0-0 stalemate at home to Derby. Verdict 3-1.
• West Brom v Ipswich – West Brom and Ipswich have had contrasting starts to the season, despite beginning it with similar amounts of optimism. West Brom look the likeliest to return to the Premiership, although the loss of Jonathan Greening on a seasons loan to Fulham could be costly. Ipswich have faltered under new boss Roy Keane, and will need to improve if they are to take anything from the Hawthorns. Verdict 2-0.

Sunday 23rd August

• Cardiff v Bristol City -Cardiff returned to the top of the table via a 3-1 win away to Plymouth. Michael Chopra is already looking like a leading contender for the Championships top scorer after a hat-trick in that match. City too start the game on seven points, but sit five places lower by virtue of goal difference, having been 1-0 winners in their last two games – somewhat fortuitously against Crystal Palace. Verdict 3-1.