Championship / Andrew French / 18 December 2008 /

Andrew French talks us through this weekend's Championship fixtures including Neil Warnock's rendez-vous with former paymasters Sheffield United and a home tie that Paulo Sousa's QPR need to, and should really, win.

It's not often that a fixture could be seen as a Neil Warnock love-in, given that the experienced manager is hardly a favourite with fans of other clubs, but Sheffield United v Crystal Palace is a game where he ought to be pretty popular right around the stadium.

After all, Warnock took Sheffield United to the Premiership and might have kept them there but for all the Carlos Tevez furore. Then he arrived at Selhurst Park with Palace in a relegation battle, and promptly took them into the Play-Offs.

So, for once, Warnock ought to be safe from abusive songs from a section of the crowd when he takes Palace at Bramall Lane. I think, though, that he might upset the home fans as I can see the Eagles heading south with all three points.

United are not firing on all cylinders: just one win in five games, and three successive home defeats. Palace, in contrast, are flying, with five wins and a draw from six games. Okay, so they needed a last-minute goal to see off 10-man Doncaster last weekend, but that shows the typical never-say-die attitude of a Warnock team.

Therefore, I'm suggesting Palace at a tasty looking [3.65], and I'd also add Draw/Palace in the Half-Time/Full-Time market at a price around [9.8].

United have shipped eight goals in their last three home games, and Palace have netted twice in four of their last five away games. So, I'm backing Over 2.5 goals at [2.06].

I watched one of my former employers, Charlton, concede a gut-wrenching equaliser four minutes into stoppage time against Derby on Monday night, denying them their first win 13 attempts.

It was a hugely-improved performance from the Addicks, who responded to caretaker manager Phil Parkinson making six changes to the team. If they continue that form they will not be winless for much longer, although they must overcome their habit of switching off at the back.

I think they could well take three points at Norwich this weekend, as the Canaries are struggling themselves. Glenn Roeder's side made sure of local bragging rights by beating Ipswich in the East Anglian derby, but that was their only win in five attempts.

At a price around [3.85], I think it's worth taking a chance on Charlton to build on the many positives from their performance - if not the result - against Derby.

It's not exactly a rapid improvement from their early season woes, but Nottingham Forest are starting to move in the right direction. They are certainly making themselves much harder to beat, and have lost only two of their last 10 games.

They have won just once on the road, but they'll not get a better chance to improve upon that than with a trip to Southampton. Incredibly the Saints have won only one of their 11 home league games, and that was in late September.

I'm torn between backing the draw in this one at [3.35], or laying Southampton at [2.36]. You can make your own decision!

New manager, rich owners and high expectations - yet QPR are still some way off justifying their position as one of the pre-season favourites for promotion. They are still outside the play-off places, and their away form has to be improved greatly if they are to figure at the sharp end of the table in May.

However, their woeful results on the road puts increased emphasis on their home games, and so I fancy them to see off Preston at Loftus Road. Alan Irvine's side are in the promotion mix but, like Rangers, it is built on their home form. Away from, Deepdale, they have won just twice.

Therefore, I suggest backing QPR at [2.14].

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>

:

:

:

?

: