Tonight`s Championship Games [Friday 30th December 2022]

r00fie1

r00fie1

Well-known member
Fixtures:
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Amongst the favourites to be at the top of the table and head straight back up - Watford have only won 2 of their last 6 [10th in the form table]. Their opponents tonight, Swansea City are having a nightmare: 16th in the table and 20th on form with 3 points from the last 15, means they could be in the bottom half scrap if that form continues. Norwich`s dirty washing has been hung out in public all season: winning 2 and losing 3 out the last 6 is what got Dean Smith the sack. With players on big wages and the Canaries dropping like a stone, they need to pull up before moving forward. Opponents Reading have won 3 and lost 3 in their last 6 with inconsistent performances. Likely to beat big sides, they are equally likely to fall lose against lesser teams. Form [9th] and league place [12th] suggest a draw might be a possibility tonight against the Canaries. 9 points out of 18 sees Stoke City in 17th place, but a recent win shows a slight upturn in their form. It may seem clear-cut tonight. Perhaps the only "certainty" is Burnley - who have scored 6 goals in their last 2 games.

Championship Top Scorers
Burnley - 49
Sheffield United - 43
Boro - 38

Championship Top Form Teams*
Burnley,
West Brom,
Middlesbrough,
Sheffield United

*All teams have 15 points.

Championship Table:

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Championship Form Table:
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Review to follow>>>>
 
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Birmingham City couldn’t recover from conceding the fastest Championship goal of the season in a 3-0 defeat at Burnley on Tuesday, their heaviest defeat of the campaign. While the top-six race remains tightly packed, the play-off chasing Blues must quickly regroup after a run of one win in five games (D2, L2), and the anticipated return of top-scorer Scott Hogan could prove timely as they seek a return to winning ways against Hull City.

Despite conceding three against Burnley, Birmingham still have one of the meanest Championship defences this campaign, but conceding twice in each of their last three home games raises doubts over their prospects of holding firm here. John Eustace’s side now have the incentive to not only rise a considerable number of places in the table with victory, but also complete a first league double over Hull since the 1968/69 campaign following a 2-0 win in the reverse fixture.

Hull needed a first Óscar Estupiñán goal in nine league appearances to draw 1-1 against ten-man Blackpool on Boxing Day, extending their indifferent eight-game form (W1, D4, L3) and doing little to address their relegation concerns. With the Tigers shackled with one of the worst defensive records in the league (41 conceded), scoring goals could be crucial for the upturn of their fortunes as coach Liam Rosenior urged his side “to be more clinical and ruthless in the final third” after the Blackpool draw.

The Tigers’ away form does provide room for cautious optimism though, with Hull unbeaten across five trips (W3, D2) after losing their four prior games on the road. Adding a win to extend that sequence would boost their survival chances in addition to landing a first away H2H victory since November 2012 (D3, L2 hence).

* Hull have conceded the highest number of goals in the Championship [41] *

All reviews: https://www.soccer24.com/england/championship/#/dIPplF6J/table/overall

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Steve Weaver and Allan Russell will take charge of Norwich for the first time after being installed as caretaker managers following the sacking of Dean Smith. The former Aston Villa boss was given the boot on Tuesday, just 24 hours after his side suffered a 2-1 defeat to Luton, their third loss in four games (W1).

That run of form means the Canaries are now close to slipping out of the playoff places, and are already 15 points off top spot. They can therefore ill-afford to lose further ground in the race for promotion, and a return to Carrow Road for the first of back-to-back home games might not inspire much confidence, given they have only won one of their last seven outings in East Anglia (D2, L4).

What will give home supporters some hope is the visit of Reading, whom they have beaten in six of their last eight H2H meetings (D2), including a 7-1 thrashing in 2017, one of only three occasions in which Norwich have scored seven times in the Championship. That does not bode well for the Royals then, whose eight away league defeats this season is also the joint-most in the division.

Even so, Paul Ince’s side are still challenging at the right end of the table and sit just outside the play-offs after picking up their third win in four games (L1) by beating Swansea 2-1 on Boxing Day. The manager admits he’s concerned about his side’s game management though, conceding “we need to be a bit braver and move higher ” after they made life hard for themselves by conceding a 71st minute goal in that Boxing Day clash while leading by two.

Players to watch: Norwich’s second-top scorer Teemu Pukki is unbeaten in five clashes with Reading (W3, D2), netting three goals in the process. In the opposition attack will be Reading’s Junior Hoilett, back from playing for Canada in the World Cup. He has netted his joint-most career goals against the Canaries, four in ten H2H meetings (W4, D3, L3).

Hot streak: Barring a goalless draw, the team who scored first has gone on to lose five of Reading’s last seven Championship away games.

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At the rear of a clutch of sides chasing a play-off berth, Stoke were left rueing missed opportunities on Boxing Day, twice having to battle from behind to claim a 2-2 draw against Rotherham. That result might have extended their unbeaten run to three matches (W1, D2), but boss Alex Neil has insisted his side now have “no excuses” as he challenged them to step up in the race for a top-six spot.

Neil perhaps couldn’t have handpicked a tougher assignment here though, with rampant league-leaders Burnley next up for Stoke, a side they haven’t beaten in four league attempts (D2, L2). The Potters have recently proved they can compete against their opponents though, after claiming a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture, making them the only side to leave Turf Moor without tasting defeat dating back to the end of August.

The Clarets are a different beast these days when compared with that fateful October night, and having opened up an 11-point gap to third place Blackburn ahead of the round, automatic promotion is becoming a more distinct possibility. A 3-0 win over Birmingham on Tuesday was the latest in a run of comfortable Burnley wins, as Vincent Kompany’s men now go in search of five successive league victories for the first time this season.

Just three wins in Burnley's last eight Championship away games (D4, L1) tells us that there may be room for improvement on their travels, yet having won 3-0 at QPR on their last away league outing, they could now secure their first pair of back-to-back road wins this season. You’d perhaps be brave to bet against Burnley doing so, especially with their free-scoring form at the moment, having netted exactly three goals in five of their last six league games (W5, L1).

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Although a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Reading last time out left Swansea in 16th place, they could end 2022 around the playoff places with just three points separating 11 sides, such is the competitiveness of this Championship campaign. Swans boss Russell Martin bemoaned his side’s “mentality in both boxes” after the Reading game and with Martin reportedly amongst the frontrunners for the vacant Norwich job, Swansea find themselves in a tough spot.

A return to the Liberty Stadium will be welcome news as Swansea remain unbeaten in five of their last six games here (W4, D1). The sole defeat came in their most recent home game against Norwich though (0-1), whilst their tepid record as pre-match favourites at home raises further concern (W5, D2, L3).

Right in the thick of the playoff picture but just five points above Swansea in the standings are Watford, a side contending with their own issues after losing their top league scorer João Pedro to injury in a 2-0 defeat to Millwall last time out. Pedro is the Hornets’ only scorer across the last six rounds (G4), so manager Slaven Bilić’s comment that “it doesn’t look good” is a worry for the team.

Despite that negative, Watford have been flying away from home and have won as many games across their last four league trips (W3, D1) as they managed in the 22 prior. It maybe wouldn’t be a massive shock if Watford overcome their underdog status here then, despite winning just one away league game this term when priced up as the outsider (W1, D1, L2).

Players to watch: Liam Cullen is surely pushing for a spot in the starting XI after scoring in back-to-back games

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Top Scorers

Birmingham City.
Scott Hogan - 9
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Hull City.
Óscar Estupiñán - 9
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Norwich City.
Joshua Sargent - 9
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Reading.
Tom Ince - 6
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Stoke City.
Lewis Baker - 5
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Burnley.
Jay Rodrigues - 9
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Swansea City.
Joel Piroe - 6
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Watford.
Joao Pedro - 8
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Lets hope that Norwich`s slide down the table continues and Hull hold Brum to a draw.
It seems inevitable that Burnley will beat Stoke.
With games tommorrow as well - its like playing leap-frog at the moment.
If our form continues we will cement our place in the top 6. The next big step will be to beat Birmingham, Millwall [H] and the Deck-chairs [A].
Its not beyond the realm of possibility we could get 7 out the next 9. Doing the double over the Mackems would be "sweet".
Long way to go yet (y)
 
r00fie1 said:
Lets hope that Norwich`s slide down the table continues and Hull hold Brum to a draw.
It seems inevitable that Burnley will beat Stoke.
With games tommorrow as well - its like playing leap-frog at the moment.
If our form continues we will cement our place in the top 6. The next big step will be to beat Birmingham, Millwall [H] and the Deck-chairs [A].
Its not beyond the realm of possibility we could get 7 out the next 9. Doing the double over the Mackems would be "sweet".
Long way to go yet (y)
Click to expand...
I don't think there are any games tomorrow are there? Next games are over Sun / Mon
 
Watford losing to Swansea.

Moves us 3 points closer to the team in 5th, but also means Swansea keep pace with us.

Would be very happy if the scores stayed like this tonight.
 
So essentially we'll finish tonight in 6th or 7th.
6th if Norwich and Reading draw, 7th for any other result.
All the other results won't affect our position immediately I think?
 
r00fie1 said:
Fixtures:
View attachment 50165
Amongst the favourites to be at the top of the table and head straight back up - Watford have only won 2 of their last 6 [10th in the form table]. Their opponents tonight, Swansea City are having a nightmare: 16th in the table and 20th on form with 3 points from the last 15, means they could be in the bottom half scrap if that form continues. Norwich`s dirty washing has been hung out in public all season: winning 2 and losing 3 out the last 6 is what got Dean Smith the sack. With players on big wages and the Canaries dropping like a stone, they need to pull up before moving forward. Opponents Reading have won 3 and lost 3 in their last 6 with inconsistent performances. Likely to beat big sides, they are equally likely to fall lose against lesser teams. Form [9th] and league place [12th] suggest a draw might be a possibility tonight against the Canaries. 9 points out of 18 sees Stoke City in 17th place, but a recent win shows a slight upturn in their form. It may seem clear-cut tonight. Perhaps the only "certainty" is Burnley - who have scored 6 goals in their last 2 games.

Championship Top Scorers
Burnley - 49
Sheffield United - 43
Boro - 38

Championship Top Form Teams*
Burnley,
West Brom,
Middlesbrough,
Sheffield United

*All teams have 15 points.

Championship Table:

View attachment 50166


Championship Form Table:
View attachment 50188


Review to follow>>>>
Click to expand...
Just to let you know, I’m simply amazed at all the effort you put it into this stuff Roofie!
And here’s me, unable to find the time to read it all or even thank you for it.
As always, much appreciated and Happy New Year👍
 
Ravs said:
Just to let you know, I’m simply amazed at all the effort you put it into this stuff Roofie!
And here’s me, unable to find the time to read it all or even thank you for it.
As always, much appreciated and Happy New Year👍
Click to expand...
You too (y)
 
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