The hosts are on an excellent 4-match unbeaten run, with their last match defeating higher-ranked Sheffield 1-3. In this meeting, without major weaknesses (only Clarke and Fisher off), they will face QPR, which is in crisis. The visitors recently lost with Sunderland 0-3 and are during disastrous series of defeats and draws. In this match, they can’t count on: Blogun, Dykes, Richards, Willock.
Middlesbrough – QPR
Bristol Rovers – Ipswich
Ipswich played a good game achieving draw with Sheffield 2-2. They were already losing 2-0 to finish a draw at the last whistle . In this match without any weaknesses, they will face Bristol, which is in crisis. The hosts lost the last match 1:0 after a bad match and a red card. In this they can not count on several important players: Belshaw, Finley, Hoole, Cobum, Connoly, Coutts, Gibson.
Middlesbrough – Blackpool
Middlesbrough in excellent form and without weakness will face poor Blackpool. The hosts will be looking to close the gap of 13 points to second-placed Sheffield. Guests in terrible form and many sidelined players. The last match lost to Watford 2-0, which today’s hosts beat with the same score 2-0. The coach will have a bigger headache, he can’t count on: Ekpiteta, Dougall, Madine, Thompson, Carey, Thorniely.
Stockport County – Charlton
Stockport takes the FA Cup more seriously by dedicating the first team to the fight today. Charlton on the other side are fighting in the first division, and that’s their priorities. Today are setting 2nd players. We will see only 4 players from the starting lineup: Morgan, Kirk, Payn, Clare. The previous match between these teams ended in a draw, but in this meeting a completely different line-up of guests.
Port Vale – Barnsley
Port Valve will face Barnsley in the League Trophy. The hosts basically dedicated the first team and only 3 changes visible: Conlon, Jones, Massey will not play. The guests are testing new players in this match, therefore 4 debutants will see Tonight. From the main lineup, only 4 players will see today: Kitching, Benson, Aitchison, Cundy.
Leicester – Manchester City
Despite some signs of improvement in Leicester’s play against the underdogs Wolves and Leeds, today’s rival is beyond their skills. The hosts are definitely not coping with TOP5. On their side will not play: Bertrand, Pereira, the availability of Evans and Ndidi is a question mark. After the draw in Dortmund, the guests are returning to the league competition without major weaknesses. The fact that Halland suffered in the last match and may not play, however, certainly the striking power of the Citizens is incomparable.
Leeds – Arsenal
The hosts are in a terrible series of matches without a win, and this game will be extremely difficult for them to break through. Today’s top-notch rival. In addition, Leeds will be without a few important players today: Dallas, Forshaw, Fuhr Hjelde. Arsenal are in very good shape at the top of the table without any weaknesses .
Aston Villa – Chelsea
Aston Villa struggled in the last game against last-placed Nottingham. Their current form is poor, which is accompanied by numerous absences: Augustinsson L, Diego Carlo, Digne, Kamara. Chelsea caught the wind in their sails and in the league and cups they are in an excellent predisposition.
Chelsea – Wolves
Chelsea under the new coach Graham Potter looks good from 2 games. They are highflying with no staff problems in this match. The visitors, on the other hand, are going in the opposite direction. The loss with West Ham and Manchester City shows their current form. In addition, they have a lot of absentees today: Chiquinho, Collins, Jimenez, Kalajdzic, Neto, Neves.
Luton – Huddersfield
Luton in excellent shape, last 2 games won 2-0 against Hull and Blackburn. Today they will face in crisis Huddersfield in full force. Visitors, in the last lost with Reading 3: 1 , they lost several important players by injuries. Therefore, Turton, Rudoni, Nakayama, Anjorin, Ruffels, Russel, Kessler, Hogg will not play today.