Welcome to our tipping round-up. Most of you know the drill by now, but for those who don't, every week I will post my betting suggestions for the weekend (which you may well wish to steer well clear of), as well as our predictions contest. The blog can also act as a talkboard for any Football League-related discussions over the weekend.
Bristol City to beat Middlesbrough at 9-5
Having taken four points from the Championship's top two in their last league outings, City ought not fear the visit of a Boro team just on the right side of the relegation line. Tony Mowbray's team are ranked 23rd on the road this season, pocketing eight points out of 39 and scoring just nine goals in 13 trips (the worst in the division). The on-loan Tottenham defender Steven Caulker is likely to be passed fit for City after an injury in the FA Cup defeat to Sheffield Wednesday last week, which seems the principal reason his team-mates are nearly 2-1 for this game. But remember that Boro themselves were dumped out in arguably more ignominious fashion by League Two Burton, and with a record of just three defeats in 14, City remain the value call.
Chesterfield to beat Stevenage at 21-20
Another team whose price looks solely based on their FA Cup exploits appear to be the conquerors of Newcastle, as they travel to the clear leaders. And boring as it may be to back the Spireites in successive weeks (they came in impressively for us at Southend last time out), a price of longer than even-money for Chesterfield is a bargain. Three defeats in 22. Twenty-eight points out of 36 at home. Forty-eight goals in 22 games, 34 of them in those 12 outings on their own turf. Stevenage remain obstinate opposition on the road, with the best away defence and just seven goals conceded in 10 (still only scoring 10 themselves, mind), but we successfully backed against them away at Gillingham and Chesterfield are another level up again.
NB: prices with Betfair and correct at the time of publication
Tipping contest
As you'll note from the scoring, late starters have been awarded one point for every week they have missed. markier remains a clear leader, but there were a host of 5/6 correct predictions last week to close the gap a little.
The top of the table so far (The full table will be posted in the comments section below) ...
markier 55
PiggyPingoPiglet 50
Bobby142 43
josedinho 42
captainmorganrum 42
Thewalthamstowone 41
TheRealRingo 37
urblun 36
richardw 36
horne94 35
As for this week: make your result (not scoreline) prediction for each of the following games below, with one point per correct result. The deadline is 3pm GMT on Saturday.
Bristol City v Middlesbrough
Burnley v QPR
Brighton v Peterborough
Sheffield Wednesday v Charlton
Chesterfield v Stevenage
Hereford v Stockport
I'm tipping Bristol City, draw, Brighton, Sheffield Wednesday, Chesterfield, Hereford. You can also follow me on Twitter if you want more money-losing tips/predictions through the week.
