31/03/05
Weekend Preview -
Categories: Soccerword's feature matches
Premier League: Fulham v. Portsmouth
Both of these teams are struggling to stay out of the relegation zone (bottom three). Here are the bottom six clubs in the EPL:
15. Portsmouth (31 points)
16. Fulham (30)
17. Southampton (27)
18. Crystal Palace (26)
19. West Brom (24)
20. Norwich (20)
A loss would put either Portsmouth or Fulham well within the sights of Southampton or Crystal Palace. What looked like a four team fight for relegation all season could now involve two more clubs. And it is a bitter irony to Pompey fans that their former boss Harry Redknapp could lead their hated rivals, Southampton, past them in the table, perhaps even sending Portsmouth down to the Championship. I expect the race to get even closer this weekend when Fulham win a close one at home.
Prediction: Fulham 2-1
Championship: Ipswich v. Derby County
A classic battle of two teams seeking promotion. Ipswich are still hopeful of automatic qualification, currently third in the standings. Derby County, in fifth place with 61 points, would be happy with a spot in the playoffs, as there are six teams within five points of them in the table. Derby have drawn four of their last five matches, and I don't see them winning at Ipswich who boast England under-21 star Darren Bent and Finnish striker Shefki Kuqi.
Prediction: Ipswich 2-0
League One: Sheffield Wednesday v. Tranmere
The third and fourth place teams collide in a battle of league one promotion candidates. The Owls are looking to return to the Championship league on the first try, while Tranmere seek a second successive promotion. Wednesday are winless in their last three matches, but Tranmere enter the match on the heels of a 2-4 loss to Doncaster. Look for Iain Hume (Tranmere) and Lee Peacock (Wednesday) to provide the goals.
Prediction: Draw 2-2
League Two: Scunthorpe v. Macclesfield
It's a tight battle for first place in League Two:
1. Yeovil (72 points)
2. Southend (71)
3. Scunthorpe (68)
4. Swansea (68)
5. Macclesfield (67)
6. Lincoln City (65)
Any of these clubs could still earn promotion to League One. Scunthorpe are winless in three, scoring only one goal in the process. Macclesfield, though a point behind, have a game in hand over the rest of the leading clubs. John Parkin has been one of the best goal scorers in the lower divisions, and I expect him to lead The Silkmen to victory over The Iron.
Prediction: Macclesfield 2-1
