CC Championship: 22nd April

[Computer Guy]

Leeds WANT 4th place and they have to win against Crewe and hope PNE slip up at Hull as the last game they are away at PNE.

[keemanan]

Palace may play AJ according to teamtalk

Dowie opted to rest strikers Andrew Johnson and Dougie Freedman for the 0-0 draw at Burnley on Easter Monday.

But their replacements Clinton Morrison and Jon Macken failed to shine, and Johnson and Freedman could find themselves back in the starting line-up at Selhurst Park.

Winger Jobi McAnuff remains doubtful with an ankle injury, while forward Wayne Andrews is out after undergoing a hernia operation in Germany this week.

Leeds may rest some but have players returning

Manager Kevin Blackwell has hinted he could make changes with a view to fielding his strongest line-up in the play-offs.

Winger Eddie Lewis, rested for the 1-1 midweek draw at Sheffield United, is also expected to return to the squad, while Jermaine Beckford, Danny Pugh and Ian Moore are all chasing a first league start of the season.

Midfielder Steve Stone, yet to appear for Leeds after rupturing his Achilles tendon in his first pre-season training session, made his second appearance for the reserves this week and hopes to be available for the play-offs.

Preston have problems upfront and Omerod looks unlikely to start at Hull. These lot will surely not be risked?

Manager Billy Davies has frontmen Marcus Stewart, David Nugent and Adie Smith all currently sidelined with the play-offs on the horizon.

However, a club spokesman said: "Brett's got the all-clear. He was taken to hospital but they discharged him and he will be available for Hull on Saturday."

North End have already secured a play-off berth and will meet either Leeds, Watford or Crystal Palace in their semi-final.

Preston and Watford wont want to relinquish 3rd and 4th spot as this means home ties in the second leg , I'm going off the yankee now

[keemanan]

I'm not convinced about this jockying for position CG , is the advantage that great?
Last year the ties were won in the first leg and the second leg , if you know what I mean

[Computer Guy]

Cant speak for other clubs, but Leeds want the 2nd leg at home.

[Keith]

Luton v Sheff U.

I think Luton look a reasonable bet.

I have heard talk of wanting revenge for a 4-0 defeat earlier this season. Luton's injured defenders are expected to return. Three of them were missing for the 2-1 defeat at home to Coventry and Luton did pretty well without them last week at Plymouth when they won.

Sheff U are set to make wholesale changes due to injury and illness according to their website. A bit of a bug in the camp has hit several players.

Not one to go mad with though as the result is academic to both teams so stakes will be modest.

Luton 3pts @ 2.80

[Keith]

Originally Posted by Was

Luton v Sheff U.

I think Luton look a reasonable bet.

I have heard talk of wanting revenge for a 4-0 defeat earlier this season. Luton's injured defenders are expected to return. Three of them were missing for the 2-1 defeat at home to Coventry and Luton did pretty well without them last week at Plymouth when they won.

Sheff U are set to make wholesale changes due to injury and illness according to their website. A bit of a bug in the camp has hit several players.

Not one to go mad with though as the result is academic to both teams so stakes will be modest.

Luton 3pts @ 2.80

Well fcuk me. I've just now read the complete opposite about Lutons injury problems clearing up. Pretty sure that I didn't rely solely on the BBC when I did my first post because I don't. I thought the poitive news came from the Official website as well.

Now The Dunstable evening newspaper talks about the same players having broken bones.

http://www.dunstabletoday.co.uk/View...icleid=1457747

Don't know what to believe!!!


This is what the BBC said

[GETT1NLOTS]

A huge number of nothing games in this division as everything has been wrapped up promotion wise, play off wise and relegation wise. Nobody cares THAT much if they win or lose so it's difficult to keep the players honest in a league that ends like this. However there might be some value in the overs / unders market.

Leicester vs Plymouth
Plymouth have been involved in only four +2.5 away games all season. They have scored only one goal in their last seven away trips. Leicester have scored in most of their games since the new regime came in but even though I take them to bag a goal I can't see either side going bananas to level it up or score a second. The odds compilers make the under a strong favourite at 1.72 approx but I happen to agree with this. Smalls stakes though as Leicester do get involved in a few overs...

Selection - Leicester -2.5 goals @ 1.72 (Betfair) - 0.75 points

[rcgills]

Originally Posted by Was

Don't know what to believe!!!

Never trust the BBC, would be my advice to you. I'm sure they use (poorly) trained chimps to do their match previews.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by rcgills

Never trust the BBC, would be my advice to you. I'm sure they use (poorly) trained chimps to do their match previews.

I agree RCG . Been preaching the same for the past two years.

Trouble is that the same positive team news was on another site and I have just read that the players in question are likely to be playing in The Racing Post.

Luton (9) v Sheff Utd (2)

Luton hope to have Kevin Foley and Russell Perrett back after the defensive duo missed Easter Monday's win at Plymouth. Left-back Sol Davis hopes to recover from a thigh injury but Hatters boss Mike Newell is likely to be without defender Markus Heikkinen (ankle) and striker Calvin Andrew (knee). Midfielders Kevin Nicholls and Steve Robinson (both knee) are unlikely to be available and defender Chris Coyne (knee) and utility man Paul Underwood (broken arm) are out.

Striker Steve Kabba and defender Craig Short are both doubtful for Sheffield United. Midfielder Nick Montgomery will also miss out as he will require a further scan to a knock on the side of his knee once the bruising has subsided.

The Official website and The Dunstable paper tell us that none of these players will be back.

I have laid my bet off for a loss of £2. Isn't Betfair wonderful to help you remedy mistakes

[rcgills]

I was just about to give another example from League One (see the League one thread for the details), but then realised that it appears the BBC were actually right in that case too

[ONEDUNME]

I'm with Keema on the Southampton call but rather than backing them, I'm going to lay Palace.

Reasons have all been mentioned, Soton form, Palace already in play offs, more important to rest players than secure home advantage or jockey for position.

[kompressaur]

Cardiff (8) v Norwich (10)

Cardiff defender and skipper Darren Purse' calf strain could again rule him out while veteran Neil Cox will continue todeputise and midfielders Jeff Whitley (ankle) and Willie Boland (hamstring) are doubtful.

Norwich may be without up-and-coming defender Michael Spillane after the 17-year-old strained his groin against QPR. Should he miss out he will be joined in thestands by goalkeeper Robert Green (ankle) so Paul Gallacher will continue between the sticks. Striker Peter Thorne (hamstring) is another doubt to face his former club and Zesh Rehman is too sick to travel.

Crystal Palace (6) v Southampton (12)

Fitz Hall has a chance of returning to the Crystal Palace team after missing the Eagles' last two matches with a thigh injury. Andrew Johnson and Dougie Freedman could return after being rested for the match with Burnley. Winger Jobi McAnuff remains doubtful with an ankle injury, while forward Wayne Andrews is out after undergoing a hernia operation in Germany this week.

Southampton have problems in defence with Darren Kenton (hamstring) and Darren Powell (knee) both doubtful. Fellow defender Danny Higginbotham has already been ruled out with damaged knee ligaments so 16-year-old Gareth Bale looks set to keep his place following a successful debut against the Lions. David Prutton could return to the midfield following 10 weeks out with an ankleinjury as Richard Chaplow (knee) joins Matt Oakley (ankle) on the sidelines.

Hull (18) v Preston (4)

Hull will be without Stuart Elliott after the Northern Ireland international took a heavy blow to his knee in the home draw with Burnley last weekend and missed Monday's 1-1 draw at Derby. Nick Barmby (hamstring) remains sidelined but fringe players Russell Fry and Matt Duke could be involved against the Lilywhites with the Tigers having staved off the threat of relegation.

Preston striker Brett Ormerod will miss the trip after picking up a head knock while scoring the second goal in the 2-0 win over Wolves. Striker Marcus Stewart (hamstring) and midfielder Brian O'Neil (groin) are another couple of weeks away from a return.

Ipswich (16) v Derby (19)

Ipswich striker Alan Lee is out for the remainder of the season after picking up a hamstring injury and a broken nose in the 2-1 defeat to Watford. Ian Westlake is available after recovering from an ankle injury.

Derby will be without striker Paul Peschisolido after he succumbed to toe, groin and hamstring problems. Mounir El Hamdaoui and Kevin Lisbie will also be missing thanks to respective groin and hamstring troubles. Darren Moore is another certain absentee, with the centre-half completing a two-game suspension but Seth Johnson is available after being rested for the 1-1 draw with Hull.

Leeds (5) v Crewe (22)

Leeds striker Robbie Blake (virus) and defender Sean Gregan (rib) are hoping to return forthe visit of Crewe. Winger Eddie Lewis, rested for the 1-1 midweek draw at Sheffield United, is also expected to return, while Jermaine Beckford, Danny Pugh and Ian Moore are all chasing a first league start of the season.

Crewe midfielder Tony Grantwill miss the remaining two games of the season with a groin injury he picked up in the draw with Cardiff. With doubts surrounding the future of on-loan Madjid Bougherra and relegation confirmed, manager Dario Gradi may bring Richard Walker or Chris McCready into the centre of defence. Striker Michael Higdon (ankle) remains a major doubt.

Leicester (17) v Plymouth (15)

Centre-half Patrick Kisnorbo will be missing from the Leicester line-up for the final two games of the season and next year's opener after receiving a straight red card against Coventry. But fellow stopper Paddy McCarthy is available after completing a two-game suspension. Stephen Hughes will continue to play despite an ankle problem and goalkeeper Rab Douglas has also declared himself available despite a shoulder injury while winger Lee Morris has an outside chance of being involved after knee trouble.

Plymouth manager Tony Pulis must choose between Romain Larrieu was an ever-present in the Argyle goal in the league this season until he was replaced by Luke McCormick for Easter Monday's 2-1 home defeat by Luton Town. Pulis has a fully fit squad and is again likely to include a couple of the club's youngsters on the substitutes' bench.

Luton (9) v Sheff Utd (2)

Luton hope to have Kevin Foley and Russell Perrett back after the defensive duo missed Easter Monday's win at Plymouth. Left-back Sol Davis hopes to recover from a thigh injury but Hatters boss Mike Newell is likely to be without defender Markus Heikkinen (ankle) and striker Calvin Andrew (knee). Midfielders Kevin Nicholls and Steve Robinson (both knee) are unlikely to be available and defender Chris Coyne (knee) and utility man Paul Underwood (broken arm) are out.

Striker Steve Kabba and defender Craig Short are both doubtful for Sheffield United. Midfielder Nick Montgomery will also miss out as he will require a further scan to a knock on the side of his knee once the bruising has subsided.

Millwall (24) v Burnley (14)

Managerless Millwall are without midfielder Alan Dunne for the rest of the season after he sustained a fractured cheekbone in the Easter Monday defeat at Southampton. Midfielder Jody Morris, winger Josh Simpson and striker Barry Hayles are unlikely to play again this term due to knee injuries.

Burnley boss Steve Cotterill has doubts over Chris McCann (hamstring) and Michael Ricketts (ankle). On-loan Manchester United defender Phil Bardsley is likely to be ruled out with an ankle injury sustained in the goalless draw at Hull. Goalkeeper Danny Coyne (knee) and defender Wayne Thomas (foot) are both out for the season.

QPR (20) v Watford (3)

QPR duo Kevin Gallen and Richard Langley face a struggle to be fit. Forward Gallen suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury earlier this month, while midfielder Langley picked up a knock in the 1-1 draw with Derby last Saturday, and missed the 3-2 defeat at Norwich.

Watford's top scorer Marlon King completes a two-match suspension, and fellow striker Hameur Bouazza (foot) is out while Hornets boss Adrian Boothroyd is likely to make changes as he prepares for the play-offs.

Sheff Wed (21) v Reading (1)

Sheffield Wednesday defenders Drissa Diallo (hamstring) and Mikkel Bischoff (knee), on loan from Manchester City, are expected to be available as is Yohann Folly, who missed last week's win at Brighton due to concussion. Glenn Whelan (groin), Frank Simek (knee), Richard Wood (groin) and Steve Adams (ankle) are all due to undergo minor surgery.

Reading are hopeful Kevin Doyle (knee) and Steve Sidwell (dead leg) will be passed fit to play. Glenn Little will definitely miss out with a groin problem but is hopeful of making the Royals' final game of the season.

Stoke (13) v Coventry (11)

Striker Mamady Sidibe could return for Stoke after hamstring trouble but City could be without six other players. Winger Luke Chadwick (hamstring), midfielder Josip Skoko (groin) and defender Lewis Buxton (thigh) are all doubts. Forward Sambegou Bangoura (knee), midfielder Peter Sweeney (calf) and defender Andy Wilkinson (ankle) are out.

Coventry manager Micky Adams has lost the services of two key defenders - central defender Robert Page, whose season is over after specialists advised surgery to repair a torn muscle in the hip, and Wales international team-mate and right-back Richard Duffy will be missing thanks to a neck injury. In addition, midfielders Claus Jorgensen and Isaac Osbourne remain ruled out by respective groin and knee injuries.

Wolves (7) v Brighton (23)

Wolves have Kenny Miller back from suspension and Jackie McNamara could make his first-team comeback from cruciate knee ligament injury. Paul Ince and Darren Anderton have been ruled out by hamstring problems. Jody Craddock and Mark Davies are back from illness but Mark Clyde has yet to recover from a partially dislocated jaw and Seyi-George Olofinjana continues to receive treatment for a back problem.

Brighton will be without Dean Hammond who is suspended for two games following his sending-off against Sheffield Wednesday on Monday. Veteran defender Guy Butters is a doubt after limping out of the same game, so Adam Hinshelwood is poisedto return at centre-half after shaking off a shoulder injury. Midfielder Charlie Oatway and striker Jake Robinson (both ankle) remain long-term casualties

http://www.racingpost.co.uk/

[kompressaur]

about every uk bookie has shortened Reading to about 8/11. Betfred have them initially as 11/10. Im gonna see if they have a better price on their shop bonus coupon