Midweek Preview 18th/19th October 2016

The only game featuring the usual formula of top six/bottom six/any combination thereof is the latest episode of the Rotherham ‘Farewell To The Championship’ tour (the Millers visit Birmingham) so today’s post is just a quick catch up.

Norwich took over at the top after beating Rotherham; Huddersfield fell out of the top two after losing at home to Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday. Wednesday are now only outside the top six due to an inferior goal average but were arguably the weekend’s big gainers as many of the clubs around them failed to win. More about Wednesday later.

At the bottom, Cardiff and Derby both won their first games under new management but Aston Villa blew another lead at home (the fourth time in five games) on Saturday evening and are still in 20th place.

There could be some changes in the top ten this evening: potentially the most interesting game is Villa’s trip to Reading. The Royals haven’t won any of their last three games, but a victory could see the Berkshire club return to the top six, especially if Cardiff can maintain their form against Sheffield Wednesday. Blackburn (at home to Nottingham Forest) and Wigan (who travel to Leeds) could escape the bottom three if they win, but considering Blackburn have only won twice at Ewood Park since April that’s unlikely. On the other hand, Wigan have won two of their previous three trips to Elland Road in league games.

I’ll be back on Friday to take a look at the weekend action but before I go, there won’t be a weekend post for the weekend of the 28th/29th October as I am visiting some of my wife’s relations in Yorkshire during half term.

Author: Mike Roberts

A football fan since the 1970s, I take my inspiration from the standard of writing that made Shoot! magazine streets ahead of anything else back in the day. I'm also a complete and utter stathead, which I blame on being exposed to American sports at the end of my teens.

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