Cardiff’s lead has been cut to five points after losing at Middlesbrough on Saturday – that’s now two defeats in the last three games for the leaders. Surely we can’t be on the verge of another meltdown? Fans in South East Wales don’t need reminding of the some of the epic collapses over the past season and although it’s probably too early to be talking in terms of run ins at this point, half of Cardiff’s remaining games are against either promotion rivals or strugglers.
With a four point gap between Crystal Palace and Leicester, there’s a chance that the playoff group might split into two separate sections but it’s too early to make any definitive claims about that. However, Nottingham Forest’s chances of sneaking into the top six seem to depend on their games against Hull and Brighton at the end of the month.
The bottom is still too close to call. Bristol City dropped to the foot of the table despite earning a point at Blackpool (the Robins’ first goalless draw since last March), but the big gainers at the wrong end of the table were Peterborough who won 3-2 at Blackburn thanks to a Dwight Gayle hat trick. Barnsley managed to come back from two goals down at home to Bolton, but still lost with a goal on the hour from Craig Dawson.
All the above sets us up nicely for another Tuesday nighter – the pick of tonight’s games is Crystal Palace v Hull, although if you’re expecting a decisive result prepare to be disappointed. All four of the last games between these two at Selhurst Park have been draws and Hull haven’t won there since October 1985. The Tigers have struggled in away games against the current top six this season: they’ve already lost at Cardiff, Leicester and Brighton while Palace have won their home games against Cardiff and Brighton.
Other games worth keeping up to date with are at Ashton Gate and Vicarage Road, both of which are Top Six v Bottom Six clashes – although the current form tables put all four sides in the top ten!
Bristol City haven’t suffered a home defeat since Derek McInnes’ last game in charge (0-4 against Leicester) and ended a five game away losing streak on Saturday. Brighton are currently on a five game unbeaten streak – their best run of form since November – and they have an impressive record at Ashton Gate in recent seasons. The Seagulls have beaten the Robins in three of their last five league meetings in the South West, but Gus Poyet’s side hasn’t won consecutive away games since September.
Sheffield Wednesday arrive in Hertfordshire on the back of a six game unbeaten away streak but they’ve not won at Watford since November 2000. The Hornets have won five of the last six league meetings when they’ve had home advantage: if Wednesday lose and Barnsley win at Burnley, then the Owls could be back in the bottom three at the end of this evening. Although Wednesday’s recent successes away from home have a defensive foundation (four clean sheets in the last six), they’re going up against the Championship’s top scorers this evening and could have trouble containing Watford.
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