Championship Rivals Preview

Leeds Utd 24th

Bottom of the table Leeds face a tricky trip to Cardiff and a date with former chairman Peter Risdale. The Elland road side have won just once in their last seven away games (We wont mention that one), but after last Saturdays 2-1 win over Crystal Palace boss Dennis Wise will be hoping the teams fortunes are starting to take an upward turn. After a shaky December and January, Cardiff are starting to fire again and are currently on a four match unbeaten run which includes wins over Wolves, Leicester & Barnsley. With promotion still a distinct possibility The Bluebirds will be hoping to get another three points in the bag today.

Vital Prediction Cardiff should prove too strong for Leeds at home and a 2-0 victory to the Welsh side is the forecast.

Southend 23rd

A trip to visit an inform Sunderland side is hardly what the doctor ordered, but that is what awaits The Shrimpers today. After last weeks 5-0 drubbing of QPR, Southend boss Steve Tilson will have his players fired up for the game today and he will be looking to make it four games unbeaten as he looks to steer his team away from the automatic relegation places. Southend have shown they can go to the leagues top teams and come away with something as the recent 3-1 away win at Birmingham and the 1-1 draw at Stoke testifies. Sunderland boss Roy Keane is currently enjoying the adulation of the Sunderland fans, after a six match unbeaten run has taken his side to the verge of the play off positions. Three succesive clean sheets has also boosted confidence and after last Saturdays 2-0 win away at Plymouth he will be looking for more of the same from his squad.

Vital Prediciton Despite Southends recent upturn in form a trip to the Stadium of light is still a difficult fixture and a 2-0 Sunderland victory is the order of the day.

Barnsley 22nd

Ahead of Tuesday nights six pointer against Hull, Barnsley, like the teams below them face a difficult trip to one of the Leagues top seven clubs when they make the journey to the south coast to take on a Southampton side currently occupying fifth place in the table. After succesive wins over Luton & QPR the South Yorkshire side have stumbled lately and have lost their last two league fixtures against Cardiff & Colchester. Southampton have lost just once in their last ten games a defeat against League leaders Derby two weeks ago, but they bounced back last week with a good point at WBA. Saints boss George Burley will be looking to get back to winning ways and might well feel the visit of Barnsley is the perfect opportunity to do so.

Vital Prediction It could well be a long journey home for the Barnsley faithfull after Southampton have taken the points 3-1.

Luton 21st

Mike Newells men are struggling lately and have to go back to December 23rd for their last win in the Championship, a 3-1 home win over Coventry. Since then they have taken just three points from their last seven games including last Saturdays 1-1 draw at Leicester. Having lost Rowan Vine and Carlos Edwards in the January transfer window the Hatters fans have been questioning the clubs ambitions and manager Newell is under pressure to start winning some games. They face a trip to a Stoke side today who have slipped from the play off picture lately with just three wins from their last nine league matches including last weeks 1-0 defeat away at Birmingham.

Vital Prediction Luton could be our only rival who takes any points this weekend as a 1-1 draw is the predicted scoreline.

QPR 19th

No game today for the London club as their original opponents Derby County are involved in the FA Cup.

Predicted Scores

Cardiff 2-0 Leeds

Sunderland 2-0 Southend

Southampton 3-1 Barnsley

Stoke 1-1 Luton

Predicted League Table

19th Luton 33pts 32 games

20th QPR 33pts 33 games

21st Hull City 32pts 32 games

22nd Barnsley 32pts 33 games

23rd Southend 31pts 33 games

24th Leeds 30pts 32 games