Championship / Andrew French / 14 September 2009 / Leave a comment

It was four successful selections from five in the Championship for Andrew French on Saturday, and he's hoping his hot form continues in midweek when Ipswich look for their first win of the campaign and Newcastle travel to Blackpool.

"You can’t deny Newcastle have made a start to the season that puts their off-field problems firmly in the background. However, if there is one manager who really won’t pay any attention to star names and reputations it’s Blackpool boss Ian Holloway."

Manager Roy Keane calls his Ipswich side's start to the season a "challenge" but admits their fans may see it as a crisis. It's probably a bit early for it to be the latter, but they do badly need to get their first win of the season in the bag - and I believe it will come when Nottingham Forest visit Portman Road on Tuesday night.

There couldn't be too many complaints about Town's defeat at Middlesbrough on Saturday as better sides in better form will still be beaten at the Riverside. It's the three home games so far without a win that will be troubling both Keane and the Ipswich faithful, but if they are going to turn their season around, then home games such as this must be won. Forest took a point at Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend, and had enough chances to have won the game. They have drawn all three of their away games so far, and have only won once - I think Keane will finally galvanise Ipswich into winning form. Therefore, back Ipswich at [2.28].

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Top of the league, five wins out of six and only one goal conceded. You can't deny Newcastle have made a start to the season that puts their off-field problems firmly in the background. However, if there is one manager who really won't pay any attention to star names and reputations it's Blackpool boss Ian Holloway, especially as his side have made a very solid start of their own.

The Tangerines have only lost once and that was on Saturday at Leicester, who are very good at home. It will be a long time (if ever) since some of the Newcastle players have had to endure anything like a midweek trip to Bloomfield Road, and therefore I am prepared to take them on and lay Newcastle at [2.24].

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He may not have readily chosen to field so many young, home-grown players in his starting line-up, but Watford manager Malky Mackay has put his faith in his youngsters since transfer window sales shorn him of a number of experienced regulars. The kids certainly came up with the goods on Saturday as they beat Barnsley 1-0, and I think the Hornets can be rewarded at the end of a long midweek journey to Plymouth.

The home side are without a league win and have already conceded seven times in games at Home Park. Pilgrims manager Paul Sturrock feels his side just need a break to get going - but I think he'll have to settle for a point in this one, so I'm backing the draw at [3.35].

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There looks to be a nice treble on offer in the Championship as well.

I saw Barnsley lose at Watford on Saturday and new manager Mark Robins has his hands full turning them around, so I can't see beyond a home win for Derby [1.84].

Leicester have now gone a calendar year without losing at the Walkers Stadium and they have slipped seamlessly back into the Championship after promotion, which cannot be said of Tuesday's visitors, winless Peterborough. Therefore, Leicester at [1.84] look a good bet.

West Brom have hit the ground running after relegation and 10 goals in their last four league games show they possess a constant threat at this level. Therefore, back the Baggies at [1.49] with Derby and Leicester in a treble that pays around [4.3].

*(Andrew is showing a profit of £152.41 (£10 level stake/liability) on all his selections so far this season)

Tags: Barnsley, Blackpool, Bloomfield Road, Championship Betting, Ipswich, Mark Robins, Newcastle United, Paul Sturrock, Roy Keane, The Championship, Watford