The Championship is back this weekend and two mid table sides, both playing well, go head to head in what looks set to be one of the tightest games of the round, with Stoke hosting Blackburn. Both are appealing in this one, and both are where they were expected, so it's not easy to predict, but I've given a small edge to one of the teams.
Stoke City Form Guide21 points on the board has taken Stoke to 14th position in the standings, so mid table, and they will feel like they can improve on that, and move further up the table soon. After a slow period, where they struggled, Stoke come here on the back of five games unbeaten, three wins at the start, and more recently, two draws.
Before the international break, Stoke drew 0-0 away at Coventry, getting a point and they also took a point in the game before that, again 0-0 but this time at home to Cardiff. They are keeping the ball out of the net, and have kept a clean sheet in their last four games now.
Blackburn Form GuideBlackburn pushed for the playoffs last season, I didn't expect as much from them this time around, and that's what we have seen so far. 12th in the league, that put them exactly half way, though things have been pretty positive in recent games, and they come here with three wins from their last five.
Their final game before the international break was a defeat though, losing 2-1 at home to Preston in the big local derby against their rivals. But wins over Norwich, Millwall and Cardiff in recent weeks have given them hope they can push for the top half, something in their sights as they return to action.
Match PredictionA tight game, two teams playing fairly well and in the middle of the table, all of which should mean this game is a good one to watch, and there won't be much to separate the two sides. I'll go with Stoke, I think they're playing a little better, are the team I think will finish higher out of these two, and with home advantage, I will take them to win the three points here.