English Football League / Andrew French / 03 March 2008 /

Away from the glamour and bright lights of the Champions League, Andrew French talks us through The Championship's midweek matches where it's all very tight at the top

The hot potato that is top spot in the Championship changed hands again at the weekend - and I think we'll see another different leader at the end of a busy night of fixtures tomorrow.

There are 10 games in all on Tuesday with an 11th on Wednesday, and with five of the current top six in action, there is plenty at stake.

Stoke's defeat at QPR on Sunday meant Bristol City stayed at the head of affairs, but I feel they will come unstuck at fellow promotion chasers Charlton, leaving the door open for Watford to move back to the summit.

Looking at City's trip to The Valley first and we have a home side who will surely feel anything less than promotion is a disappointment, while for the visitors being involved in the fight to go up at this stage of the season is surely beyond most reasonable expectations.

Charlton's home form has not been great so far, but on their day they can beat anyone in this division. They will be acutely aware that they need to ensure it's 'their day' in all home games from now on if they are to go back up, and manager Alan Pardew rang the changes and got the response he wanted after a 5-3 beating at Blackpool when the Addicks won 2-0 at Sheffield United on Saturday.

Bristol City have won four of their last five, but they have the tendency to throw in a wobbler on the road: defeats at West Brom (4-1), Crystal Palace (2-0) and QPR (3-0) in the last couple of months show that.

Charlton won at City earlier in the season, and with striker Chris Iwelumo ending a 14-game goal drought at the weekend, I will be backing them at [2.16].

It looked for a long time as if Watford would run away the division, but a miserable run at the end of 2007 saw them caught and overtaken. However, manager Aidy Boothroyd bought wisely in January, bringing in the likes of John Eustace, Leigh Bromby and Matt Sadler: players who are proven and successful at this level.

The Hornets may also give a debut to loan signing Collins John when they host Norwich tomorrow. Like Charlton, you look at the Watford squad and find it hard to believe they won't have a significant say in who finishes in the top two.

Visitors Norwich had their bubble burst at the weekend, losing at home to Blackpool to end a run of 10 unbeaten at home. Glenn Roeder has transformed the Canaries though - they were bottom when he took over but now sit comfortably in mid-table.

Norwich were thumped 4-0 at Leicester on their last away trip, and I think Watford will extend their unbeaten eight-game run in the league. They need to win though, having drawn their last three, and I would back the Hornets at [1.8] - a result which would put them top of the table if Bristol City do slip up at Charlton.

Saturday's 3-0 win over Plymouth ended a run of three league games without success for West Brom, who for me are still, pound for pound, the best side in the Championship. However it's a division that is certainly no respecter of reputations, and that is why the Baggies currently find themselves six points off the top.

Although they thumped Coventry 5-0 in the FA Cup, their recent away form in the league (one win in five) is nothing special and they also have doubts over top scorer Kevin Phillips, who has been out with a knee injury.

They visit Sheffield Wednesday who really are in the mire at the foot of the table. However, they are unbeaten in three, during which time they have not conceded a goal. That will certainly be tested by free-scoring Albion, although if Phillips is absent then that potency is clearly reduced.

Wednesday have lost just one of their last six at Hillsborough, and I think they may well be able to scramble another point in their quest for safety - so it's the draw for me at [3.6].

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