By Leon Imber
War in West London
The West London Derby between Brentford and Queens Park Rangers kicks off this Friday evening.
Embed from Getty ImagesBrentford have ran out victorious in their last three meetings with QPR, scoring nine goals and conceding just two in those matches.
Both sides boast impressive runs of form going into this fixture, with the R’s having picked up 10 points from their last possible 15 and the Bees with nine points from the same number of games.
It has the potential to be a thriller, will we see Brentford continue their impressive run against their West London rivals?
13-Point Derby
Oxford United and Swindon Town face off in yet another derby this weekend.
It is safe to say that Oxford are suffering from a play-off hangover. The disappointment of losing to Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley just four months ago is not just going to be shaken off, and it has shown in their performances this season. They currently sit in a disappointing 18th place with 13 points.
Swindon are getting to grips with life under the management of John Sheridan after losing previous boss Richie Wellens to Salford City. The Robins sit in 19th place with, yes you guessed it, 13 points.
I have to say, I do worry for Swindon a little this season. They have not seemed to hit any kind of form thus far and with the loss of Wellens, the season ahead does look a little bleak at the County Ground.
Embed from Getty ImagesHello Halilović
On Monday, November 23, 2020, Birmingham City announced the signing of Alen Halilović. What an exciting transfer this is (especially for those who play Football Manager).
Halilović has spent time at both Barcelona and AC Milan, having been released by the latter earlier this year.
He was once considered one of the best young talents in Europe, but a lack of game time prevented him fulfilling such expectations.
The 24-year-old was not registered in time to feature against Luton Town on Tuesday night, but is now available to play against Milwall this weekend. Keep an eye out.
Top Six Drama
Ipswich Town and Charlton Athletic go head-to-head this weekend in a very important match within the top six of the League One table.
Ipswich currently sit fifth, with Charlton occupying the spot below them in sixth with two points separating them.
But the two sides enter the fixture in questionable form. The Addicks lost 4-2 to the division’s bottom side Burton Albion last weekend and have hit a bump in the road since their six match winning streak.
Paul Lambert’s Ipswich have lost four of their last five matches in all competitions which also disrupted their strong early season form.
Embed from Getty ImagesIt will very much be a case of who recovers best from their recent blips, it is certainly a difficult match to predict.
League One’s Worst
The two bottom sides in League One last season face off this weekend, in League Two.
Bolton Wanderers and Southend United both had horrific campaigns in the league above last season, and the latter are still struggling in the league below.
Bolton had a tough start to the season, but with four wins from their last four matches in all competitions, it is clear to see that new boss Ian Evatt is turning the tide in Greater Manchester.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe same cannot be said for Southend though, who did win two weeks ago against Walsall, but amongst that have lost nine matches from their last 10 in all competitions.
The Shrimpers need to start picking up more results as relegation to the National League is starting to look more and more likely. Can you see any way through for Southend this weekend?
