The Championship Betting: Bad week to end on a high note for Palace

Championship / Andrew French / 28 January 2010 / Leave a Comment

Neil Warnock has had little to smile about this week but that can change when Crystal Palace host Peterborough on Saturday

"In such backs-to-the-wall situations you need someone at the helm who isn’t likely to roll over easily, and Palace boss Neil Warnock is just such a character. He’ll make sure his side come out fighting, especially in front of their own fans."

Administration, a 10-point deduction, and the imminent loss of their prize asset means it's been a bad week for Crystal Palace, but on the field they should still be able to see off struggling Peterborough this weekend says Andrew French.

It's not often that a team who was in ninth place a couple of days ago starts to worry about the drop, but after being hit with a 10-point deduction, that is doubtless what Crystal Palace and their fans are doing. However I can see a chink of light on offer as the Eagles should be able to see off basement boys Peterborough this weekend.

In such backs-to-the-wall situations you need someone at the helm who isn't likely to roll over easily, and Palace boss Neil Warnock is just such a character. He'll make sure his side come out fighting, especially in front of their own fans. By all accounts, even without star man Victor Moses, they made life hard for Newcastle in midweek - and that was their first defeat in six games, including a fine FA Cup draw at Wolves. Peterborough have won just one of their last 13 league games, and they have suffered three consecutive away defeats. Therefore, back Palace at [1.82].

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At the other end of the table, Nottingham Forest are on the crest of a wave that has been going on for months. You have to go all the way back to mid-September for their last league defeat, a run of some 19 matches. They have not lost all season away from home, but nine of their 13 trips have ended in draws. And in a fiercely-contested derby such as this weekend's (at Derby,funnily enough) that sort of propensity to share the spoils could open the door for the home side.

The Rams are painfully inconsistent, but teams find an extra percentage when it's their neighbours visiting. Eight of the last 15 derbies between these two have ended in a draw - I'm tempted to back that outcome but I prefer to cover the home win as well and lay Forest at [2.06].

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The midweek 4-1 romp at Doncaster showed that Middlesbrough have got the ability to be a force in this division - sadly for Gordon Strachan, they haven't shown it enough since he took over. The Scotsman has overseen only three wins in14 games, and with only four victories at the Riverside all season, their home form must be a priority. Therefore, Boro really need to pounce on a Bristol City side that could well be a shade shell-shocked this weekend. The Robins were stuffed 6-0 at home by Cardiff in mid-week, meaning they have now won just once in six games. Gary Johnson's side have lost their last three away games, so I suggest siding with Boro at [1.92].

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It's been more than a month since Watford played a game at Vicarage Road - and manager Malky Mackay must be extra keen to enjoy some home comforts. The Hornets are without a win in six games and have lost back-to-back matches. However, their strength has been in their ability to score goals at home - 21 in 12 gives them the best strike rate in the lower half of the table. With Mackay also being able to sign a couple of new players despite the club's poor financial position, that boost and the return to Hertfordshire could just give them the edge over Swansea.

The Welsh side may be in the promotion hunt but they are struggling to win games at the moment, with four of their last five ending in draws. Provided Watford can find their scoring touch again at home, then backing them at [2.96] could be very rewarding.

*Andrew is showing a profit of approximately £166 (£10 level stake/liability) on all his selections so far this season