Championship Preview - Week 8

Southampton V Aston Villa

The Saints will be keen to produce a similar display which saw them push in-form Watford all the way last weekend, while Aston Villa will hope they can repeat their incisiveness which saw them keep promotion chasing West Brom interested throughout their midland Derby.

Southampton have no injury worries, and are expected to field an unchanged team. That means there is no place in the team once more for ex spurs defender Anthony Gardner, who has failed to impress so far since joining at the start of the season. New manager Jack Durbin will hope his players respond to his arrival in a positive manner and keep all three points at St Marys.

Managerless Villa seem likely to recall club captain Olaf Mellberg into the starting line up, possibly for Aaron Hughes, who looked uncomfortable against a blistering West Brom striker force last time out.

Key Man Watch;

Southampton = Danny Guthrie; The midfielder has provided a creative spark so far this season and with five goals in eight games boasts an impressive return for a midfielder. Southampton will need him firing to humble a decent Villa line-up.

Aston Villa = Stillian Petrov; The Bulgarian international has improved of late, and got the Villans playing through midfield. His battle for superiority with Guthrie looks likely to be the deciding factor in this tight affair.

Verdict; 1-2, Villa have failed to produce consistently so far this season, but ran West Brom close, at least on the score board. I am backing them to take the points.

West Brom V Norwich City

The Baggies bid farewell to talismanic striker Luca Toni after the 3-2 win at Villa Park last weekend and the powerful striker could signal a big loss to their automatic promotion hopes. However, they are up against a Norwich side bereft on confidence and struggling at the foot of the Championship table.

West Brom are likely to welcome Thiago Motta back into the starting line-up, as the Baggies revert to 4-4-2 in the absence of Toni. Leroy Lita has big boots to fill now the Baggies top scorer has departed and will partner young Arturo Lupoli in an exciting strikeforce.

The Canaries look set to resist recalling Kevin Nicholls into midfield, and are set to go unchanged for the Hawthorns clash. Matty Fryatt, still searching for his first goal for Norwich, keeps his place upfront beside David Healy, in a strike force which looks like the Canaries best chance of springing an upset against fancied West Brom.

Key Man Watch;

West Brom = Leroy Lita; The young striker must step up after Tonis departure, and failure to do so could undermine West Broms promotion charge.

Norwich City = David Healy; Most of Norwich citys better moments this year have come from the Northern Irishman, and he will need to be at his best to get something for his team from this one.

Verdict; 3-1, West Brom looks to good for Norwich in every department. Baggies to win comfortably!

Watford V Coventry City

In what many people would have imagined being a relegation encounter earlier this season, Watford entertain Coventry in what looks set to be a mouth-watering exchange at Vicaridge Road. Both teams have taken The Championship by storm this year, and coped well with the jump in quality from League One.

Watford, perhaps more fancied this season, have a plethora of options in their squad to keep Coventry guessing on team selection. However, it looks certain that Barry and Chevanton will return to the starting line-up for the Hornets, while Daniel Montenegro may get a debut in central midfield following his move from South America. That would mean Watford probably adopting a 3-5-2 formation, in an attempt to control the midfield area.

Coventrys selection issues seem less complex. The only doubt consists over whether Rollings will continue with Darren Ambrose on the right, or hand a debut to speedster Adewade Wahab, Roma Loanee. The other option would be to sacrifice a defender and bring in Gimnastic loanee Ruben Castro alongside Dave Kitson and Diego Forlan up-front.

Key Man Watch;

Watford = Ernesto Chevanton; The Striker provides the key link between midfield and strikers and as always will provide a crucial goal threat for Walkers Watford.

Coventry City = Joey Barton; The controversial midfielder has produced some awesome displays recently which have confounded his critics. He will have to play well for Coventry to get something from this one.

Verdict; 2-2, If Watford turn it on, Coventry may struggle to stay with them, but on good form the Sky Blues can grab a point.

Reading V Cardiff City

In what is already being billed as a relegation 6-pointer, Reading entertain an under-pressure Cardiff City side desperate to earn their first victory this season at The Madjeski.

Reading earnt a crucial win against Norwich last week and will hope that stands them in good stead for what promises to be another gruelling encounter. The Royals will continue with the 4-3-3 system as last outing, which sees Heskey, Mista and Corominas make up a powerful front line.

The Bluebirds look certain to revert to a more established 4-4-2 system after failing to inspire with five in midfield last week. That would signal a recall for Liam Ridgewell in defence to partner consistent performer Roger Johnson in the back four.

Key Man Watch;

Reading = Emile Heskey; The Royals have looked better since bringing Heskey into attack, and he is a useful outlet for them.

Cardiff City = Rafaelle Palladino; The striker is yet to live up to last seasons form, but still represents a major threat to any defence. If he can produce Cardiff can get their first win of the season.

Verdict; 1-1, Cardiff will be once again frustrated by a Reading side battle hardened from last week.

Middlesbrough V Blackburn Rovers

Two former Premiership teams clash at The Riverside in what looks set to be a fantastic game. Blackburn will look forward to get back to winning ways following last weeks draw against an improving Bolton, while Middlesbrough will hold similar optimism for a positive result.

Boro were unlucky in defeat against Coventry last week, and would do worse than keeping faith with the same side that lost that one.Cheyrou may com einto midfield for either Rochemback or Dyer, as Keith Morris looks to sure up a leaky Boro. Up front, expect Yakubu and Zalayeta to continue, leaving new boy Romulo waiting for his debut.

Blackburn arent expected to change that much, unless manager Vasquez sees fit to hand a recall to striker Shabani Nonda in place of James Vaughan. Otherwise Blackburn will be confident they can get back to winning ways with Gamst-Pedersen in superb form.

Key Man Watch;

Middlesbrough = Yakubu; The powerful Nigerian looked good against Coventry, and is too good for this level. Will pose a sever threat to Blackburns back four.

Blackburn = Gamst-Pedersen; The Norwegian is showing his class in this league and always guarantees quality balls from set piece. Can prove the difference here.

Verdict; 2-1, Unlucky in defeat last week at Coventry, Boro will be looking to bounce back and may just spring a surprise at home.

Charlton Athletic V Bolton Wanderers

Charlton will look to move away from the Championship drop zone but Bolton promise to be tough opposition when the two sides clash at The Valley this weekend.

Charltons ageing squad battled to a good point away at Cardiff City last week, piling yet more pressure on manager JD Jaques. Brian McGuigan will hope his side can build on that result and take something from another tough match. The Addicks opted for three up front last week and look set to continue with their new powerful front line.

Bolton however will feel confident that they can take all three points away from London, after holding league leaders Blackburn last week. Niko Kranjcar has shaken off a minor knock to make new manager, Stephan Williams squad, and looks set to partner Samaras in attack.

Key Man Watch;

Charlton Athletic = Florent Sinama-Pongolle; The young French striker has been the shining light of the Addicks season so far and is integral to McGuigans chances of guiding Charlton towards another season of Championship football.

Bolton Wanderers = Niko Kranjcar; the prolific striker has spearheaded Boltons season so far and remains a consistent performer. His goals can fire Bolton to a good away win.

Verdict; 1-2, Charlton will struggle to cope with Bolton, and especially now Kranjcar has help from Samaras upfront. Bolton to win.