Championship / Andrew French / 27 January 2011 /

Andrew French takes a look at the few Championship games that take place this weekend, whilst he can't help but predict goals in the FA Cup game that involves his beloved Watford.

Millwall v Barnsley (playing Friday)

Although away fans will generally agree that The Den is an intimidating place to go, results suggest that Millwall are a far more difficult proposition on their own patch when they are full of confidence. The Lions had not been beaten at home in months when Watford trounced them 6-1 in mid-September. That set the Londoners on a run of just two wins in 10 games - only for the fillip of an away win at Middlesbrough to catapult on to a sequence of just one defeat in nine. Admittedly that came at Leicester last week, but Kenny Jackett's side seem to have found their mojo again, especially at home: they have won their last four league games at The Den, scoring 10 and conceding only one.

Visitors Barnsley do not travel well, and their away goal difference (minus 12) is the third worst in the division. However, it's their record on the road against top-half sides which I must particularly alert you to: one draw and six defeats in seven games, scoring only three and shipping 17.

Back Millwall at [1.84] to beat Barnsley

Scunthorpe v Preston

Quite what transforms the Scunthorpe team when their coach pulls out of the club car park is a mystery. On the road, the Iron are a top-half side and possibly a play-off contender. Six away wins is as many as any team in the division. But at Glanford Park, with the coach in its garage, they are a shadow of that marauding away team. A miserable one home league win all season (and that was in late August) and a paltry nine goals for the fans to cheer in 12 games. However, I have said many times before, such runs seldom have much shelf-life in this division - and this weekend gives Scunny the ideal opportunity to finally remember what it's like to enjoy the full three points at home. Visitors Preston are even more in the mire than their hosts - bottom of the table and six points adrift of safety. New manager Phil Brown has taken two points from his first two league games, but North End are not good travellers (no wins in seven).

Back Scunthorpe at [2.5] to beat Preston

Crystal Palace v Norwich

If there's one thing that must have become readily apparent to new Crystal Palace manager Dougie Freedman after just four games in charge, it's that his side need to keep things tight at the back if they are going to win games - because they don't score many goals. Freedman has seen them net only twice since he has been at the helm, and they have found the net just four times in their last eight outings. Their last four league games at Selhurst Park have finished 0-0, 1-0, 0-0, and 1-0. Visitors Norwich have a very good record against bottom-half teams (six wins in eight) but they don't tend to thrash them: only one of those half-dozen successes was by more than a goal, and their victories at Scunthorpe and Preston were both 1-0.

Back Under 2.5 Goals at [1.9]

Watford v Brighton (FA Cup)

Us Watford fans can't complain about the season so far - in terms of results or entertainment. It's been a long while since the Hornets have passed the 50-goal mark so early in a season, while having two strikers into double figures is a very rare treat. That has meant the goals have flowed: 10 of Watford's last 21 games in all competitions would have paid out to backers of Over 4.5 goals, a quite amazing stat. Indeed their last eight games have produced 34 goals, including a 4-1 home win over Hartlepool in the last round of the FA Cup. That day manager Malky Mackay rested some senior players and brought in a clutch of youngsters. He may well do the same again, given skipper John Eustace is recovering from injury and a number of his other regulars have had knocks lately.

A much-changed side may have been good enough to beat Pools in the last round, but League One leaders Brighton will prove more formidable. They also know where the goal is: 15 goals in their last six games show they have the firepower. Much will depend on the team Watford field, but I'm quite happy to follow the stats and expect goals.

Back Over 2.5 Goals at [1.82]

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