The run in.

[windermereROYAL]

Ok, so now we approach the sharp end of the season I think nobody would disagree we have the toughest run in, that said we shouldn`t give up on trying to finish in the top 6, it`s obviously out of our hands now but one thing is for certain, Derby , Luton and Huddersfield (if we are still in the mix) are must win games. Cardiff and Swansea are games we could get something out of because nothing they have done lately fills me with dread.
Nobody would expect us to get anything at Watford or Norwich but we are capable. I`ll go for.

Derby (h) W
Watford (a) L
Cardiff (h) D
Luton (a) W
Swansea (h) W
Norwich (a) L
Huddersfield (h) W

Points total 76.

[Crowbar6753]

Derby (h) - They are still not safe and will battle to the end - Win (Just)
Watford (a) - Toughest game remaining, cannot see us getting anything out of this one - Lose
Cardiff (h) - Could be their last chance to catch us and will be a hard match - Lose
Luton (a) - Safely middle table with little to play for. Not had much luck against them recently in the cups though - Draw
Swansea (h) - They should be safely in the play- offs by then and not over inmpressed by their recent form - Win
Norwich (a) - Promoted by then so hopefully on the beach, i think we could suprise them and win - Win
Huddersfield (h) - This all depends on where we are and where they are i guess. This could be a massive game for both teams, however i do think they might just be safe by then giving us the advantage - Win

76 Points and in the play -offs by the skin of our teeth. We have a habit of winning games in blocks of three's and four's and i think we will win the finally three to scrape though.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

Very similar, but can't see us getting a result v Cardiff

Derby (h) W Rooney tends to rotate with 2 games in quick succession and they are looking safer. Straightforward win
Watford (a) L Can't see anything here
Cardiff (h) L We've struggled since Christmas against long ball sides, and they are a mark up on it than most
Luton (a) W Narrow win here, but could be a draw
Swansea (h) W Think they will be out of auto contention by then so may start resting the likes of Ayew
Norwich (a) L Last home game for the champions, can't see anything here
Huddersfield (h) W Probably couldn't hand pick a better last game, they will be safe by then

So 75 points - may or may not be enough, can see Bournemouth getting that but maybe not Barnsley.

[Snowflake Royal]

I fancy us to not lose many, but get a fair few draws.

Derby (H) - W
Watford (A) - D
Cardiff (H) - D
Luton (A) - W
Swansea (H) - D
Norwich (A) - L
Huddersfield (H) - D

73 points, miss out on the final day needing a win.

[Westwood52]

Seems no McIntyre for rest of the season,and probably Morrison s season over.Gibson at CB might be required at some point.

[Zip]

Derby win
Watford lose
Cardiff draw
Luton win
Swansea draw
Norwich lose
Huddersfield win

74 points and we miss out finishing 7th

[Mid Sussex Royal]

Our last 7 games have produced 12 points, albeit the wins were at the start and the games easier on paper than our last 7, if we repeated that over the remaining games it would mean 75 points.

That may or may not be enough.... looking back most seasons it would be, but anything goes from now on in, Friday's/Saturday's games showed that.

If Bournemouth win their game in hand they go 5th and I think we will be fighting out the last position with Barnsley and maybe Cardiff. I'm not convinced re Barnsley staying the distance, games against the likes of Coventry and Rotherham are no way straightforward this time of season, and they've dropped points at home to Derby and Sheffield recently.

[tidus_mi2]

Our last 7 games have produced 12 points, albeit the wins were at the start and the games easier on paper than our last 7, if we repeated that over the remaining games it would mean 75 points.

That may or may not be enough.... looking back most seasons it would be, but anything goes from now on in, Friday's/Saturday's games showed that.

If Bournemouth win their game in hand they go 5th and I think we will be fighting out the last position with Barnsley and maybe Cardiff. I'm not convinced re Barnsley staying the distance, games against the likes of Coventry and Rotherham are no way straightforward this time of season, and they've dropped points at home to Derby and Sheffield recently.

Well that's the thing, games against the so called lesser teams may be tougher due to them fighting for their very survival whereas our game against Norwich may have little meaning for them by then, especially the way they are going.

[Snowball]

Just spent an hour or so doing every game involving the top 8
predicting the score. Surprised to see Watford winning the
top spot on the last weekend (on GD)

Even more surprised (despite us losing at Norwich 1-0 and Watford 2-0
that we ended fourth by winning the last game just above Barnsley on GD
with a miserable Swansea in 6th, Bournemouth missing out.

46-93 62-26 Watford (GD 36)
46-93 64-32 Norwich (GD 32)

46-82 77-45 Brentford (GD 32)
46-78 64-48 Reading (GD 16)
46-78 54-44 Barnsley (GD 10)
46-77 50-37 Swansea (GD 13)
—————————————————-
46-75 69-43 Bournemouth (GD 26)
46-69 56-46 Middlesbrough (GD 10)
46-67 64-44 Cardiff (GD 20)


I have a shock defeat for Norwich at QPR, and Reading
beating Cardiff 2-1, Swansea 3-1

I actually think if Swansea lose their next or get DLD they could crash out of the top six by season's end probably because they fail to beat Wycombe in Swansea (but my head forced me to put them as winning games like that)


==============================================================================

Gonna post all my predicted scores and expect to get at least 5% results right (cough), and will have "fun" updating the tables as facts (reality) replace wishful-thinking.

"Shocks" bold

Bank Holiday Monday, 5th

1-1 Middlesbrough v Watford
3-1 Reading v Derby

2 x Correct Score!!

2 x Correct Result

1-0 Wednesday v Cardiff Plus one correct (shock) result.
3-0 Norwich v Huddersfield So far, (6-0 on 72, I think Norwich will win...)


1-1 Blackburn v Bournemouth NOPE (0-2)
1-1 LUTON v Barnsley NOPE (1-2)
1-1 Swansea v Preston NOPE (0-1)

3-1 Brentford v Birmingham NOPE 0-0



39-84 57-28 Norwich
40-79 57-27 Watford
39-69 66-40 Brentford
39-69 45-31 Swansea
40-68 52-44 Barnsley
40-66 56-43 Reading
——————————————-
39-65 60-38 Bournemouth

VV FRANKLY THESE TWO CLUBS ARE NOW "GONE" VV
40-58 55-43 Cardiff
40-57 48-43 Middlesbrough

Swansea are now in the mix for missing out

============================
TUESDAY 6th

3-1 Brentford v Birmingham WRONG!! 0-0 Brentford fail again!
3-0 Norwich v Huddersfield (6-0 on 72, I think Norwich will win



ACTUAL

40-87 64-28 Norwich
40-79 57-27 Watford
40-70 66-40 Brentford
39-69 45-31 Swansea
40-68 52-44 Barnsley
40-66 56-43 Reading
——————————————-
39-65 60-38 Bournemouth




================================

FRIDAY 9th
2-0 Watford v Reading CORRECT SCORE (Sadly)

40-87 60-28 Norwich
41-79 56-26 Watford
40-72 69-41 Brentford
39-70 46-31 Swansea
41-66 56-45 Reading (GD 11)
40-66 51-44 Barnsley (GD 07)
——————————————-
39-63 59-39 Bournemouth
40-58 55-39 Cardiff
40-57 48-43 Middlesbrough
================================

SATURDAY 10th
1-1 Barnsley v Middlesbrough
1-0 Millwall v Swansea
3-0 Bournemouth v Coventry
1-1 Cardiff v Blackburn
0-2 Preston v Brentford
0-2 Derby v Norwich

41-87 62-28 Norwich <<<<<<<<<<<
41-79 56-26 Watford
41-72 69-41 Brentford
41-70 46-33 Swansea
41-67 51-44 Barnsley (GD 07)
40-66 62-39 Bournemouth (GD 23)
——————————————————-
41-66 56-45 Reading (GD 11)
41-59 56-40 Cardiff
41-58 49-44 Middlesbrough
=================================

Tuesday 13th, Game-in-Hand Day

1-2 Huddersfield v Bournemouth
1-0 Wednesday v Swansea

41-87 60-28 Norwich
41-79 56-26 Watford
41-72 69-41 Brentford
41-70 46-33 Swansea
41-69 64-40 Bournemouth (GD 24)
41-67 51-44 Barnsley (GD 07)
——————————————————-
41-66 56-45 Reading (GD 11)
41-59 56-40 Cardiff
41-58 49-44 Middlesbrough


=================================
Friday 16th

2-1 READING v Cardiff

41-87 60-28 Norwich
41-79 56-26 Watford
41-72 69-41 Brentford
41-70 46-33 Swansea
41-69 64-40 Bournemouth (GD 24)
42-69 58-46 Reading (GD 12)
—————————————————-
41-67 51-44 Barnsley (GD 07)
42-59 57-42 Cardiff
41-58 49-44 Middlesbrough


Saturday 17th

1-1 Brentford v Millwall
1-1 Middlesbrough v QPR
1-0 Swansea (p) v Wycombe - - - - - - (Big Banana Skin)
2-1 Norwich v Bournemouth.... maybe a draw?
0-1 Luton v Watford

42-90 62-29 Norwich
42-82 57-26 Watford
42-73 47-33 Swansea
42-72 70-42 Brentford
42-69 65-42 Bournemouth (GD 23)
42-69 58-46 Reading (GD 11)
—————————————————-
41-67 51-44 Barnsley (GD 07)
42-59 57-42 Cardiff
42-59 50-45 Middlesbrough


Sunday 18th

0-2 Coventry v Barnsley

42-90 62-29 Norwich
42-82 57-26 Watford
42-73 47-33 Swansea
42-72 70-42 Brentford
42-70 53-44 Barnsley (GD 09)
42-69 65-42 Bournemouth (GD 23)
—————————————————-
42-69 58-46 Reading (GD 11)
42-59 57-42 Cardiff
42-59 50-45 Middlesbrough


===================================

Tuesday 20th
1-1 Brentford v Cardiff Is a draw a shock ?
0-1 NORWICH v Watford - - - - Not a shock but big turning point
1-1 Swansea v QPR

43-90 62-30 Norwich (GD 32)
43-85 58-26 Watford (GD 32)
43-74 48-34 Swansea (GD 14)
43-73 71-43 Brentford (GD 28)
42-70 53-44 Barnsley (GD 09)
42-69 65-42 Bournemouth (GD 23)
—————————————————-
42-69 58-46 Reading (GD 11)
43-60 58-43 Cardiff (GD 15)
42-59 50-45 Middlesbrough

Wednesday 21st

1-1 Rotherham v Middlesbrough
1-0 Millwall v Bournemouth
0-0 Huddersfield v Barnsley
0-1 LUTON v Reading ------------------------- actually very worried about this game

43-90 62-30 Norwich (GD 32)
43-85 58-26 Watford (GD 32)
43-74 48-34 Swansea (GD 14)
43-73 71-43 Brentford (GD 28)
43-72 59-46 Reading (GD 12)
43-71 53-44 Barnsley (GD 09)
—————————————————-
43-69 65-42 Bournemouth (GD 23)
43-60 58-43 Cardiff (GD 15)
43-60 51-46 Middlesbrough (GD 05)


Saturday 24th April

1-2 Bournemouth v Brentford ---------------------------------------- BMTH wobble!
1-0 Barnsley v Rotherham (but a Derby maybe 1-1?)
3-0 Cardiff v Wycombe
1-0 Middlesbrough v Wednesday
1-0 QPR v Norwich
1-0 Watford v Millwall

44-90 62-31 Norwich (GD 31)
44-88 59-26 Watford (GD 33)
43-76 73-44 Brentford (GD 29)
43-74 48-34 Swansea (GD 14)
44-74 54-44 Barnsley (GD 10)
43-72 59-46 Reading (GD 12)
—————————————————-
44-69 65-42 Bournemouth (GD 23)
44-63 61-43 Cardiff (GD 18)
44-63 52-46 Middlesbrough (GD 06)

Sunday 25th

3-1 Reading v Swansea - - - - - - - shock in terms of history, but if we are still going well, REVENGE

44-90 62-31 Norwich (GD 31)
44-88 59-26 Watford (GD 33)
43-76 73-44 Brentford (GD 29)
44-75 62-47 Reading (GD 15)
44-74 49-37 Swansea (GD 12)
44-74 54-44 Barnsley (GD 10)
—————————————————-
44-69 65-42 Bournemouth (GD 23)
44-63 61-43 Cardiff (GD 18)
44-63 52-46 Middlesbrough (GD 06)
======================================

Tuesday 27th
3-0 Brentford v Rotherham

44-90 62-31 Norwich (GD 31)
44-88 59-26 Watford (GD 33)
44-79 76-44 Brentford (GD 32)
44-75 62-47 Reading (GD 15)
44-74 49-37 Swansea (GD 12)
44-74 54-44 Barnsley (GD 10)
—————————————————-
44-69 65-42 Bournemouth (GD 23)
44-63 61-43 Cardiff (GD 18)
44-63 52-46 Middlesbrough (GD 06)
=========================================

Saturday, May 1st

1-1 Birmingham v Cardiff
0-1 Brentford v Watford
0-1 Luton v Middlesbrough
1-0 Norwich v Reading - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Really can't "feel" this one but unlucky defeat seems apt
0-1 Preston v Barnsley
1-0 Swansea v Derby --------------------- one of the banana-sj=kins that I think might doom Swansea
0-2 Wycombe v Bournemouth

45-93 63-31 Norwich (GD 32)
45-91 60-26 Watford (GD 34)
45-79 76-45 Brentford (GD 30)
45-77 50-37 Swansea (GD 13)
45-77 54-44 Barnsley (GD 10)
45-75 62-48 Reading (GD 14)
—————————————————-
45-72 67-42 Bournemouth (GD 25)
45-66 54-46 Middlesbrough (GD 08)
45-64 62-44 Cardiff (GD 18)


========================================
May 8th

1-1 Barnsley v Norwich ------------------------------------Norwich blow the title ?
2-1 Bournemouth v Stoke
0-3 Bristol City v Brentford
2-0 Cardiff v Rotherham ----- could easily go Rotherham's way with Cardiff on beach
2-0 Middlesbrough v Wycombe ------- maybe a final victory for W?
2-0 Reading v Huddersfield
2-0 Watford v Swansea ----------- Swans might need a point to guarantee top-six, but tough

46-93 62-26 Watford (GD 36)
46-93 64-32 Norwich (GD 32)
46-82 77-45 Brentford (GD 32)
46-78 64-48 Reading (GD 16)
46-78 54-44 Barnsley (GD 10)
46-77 50-37 Swansea (GD 13)
—————————————————-
46-75 69-43 Bournemouth (GD 26)
46-69 56-46 Middlesbrough (GD 10)
46-67 64-44 Cardiff (GD 20)


Reading scrape by Barnsley in semi's, but the final is a step too far

OR

Reading beat a poor Barnsley in semi's. A rejuvenated Lucas Joao scores two to take Brentford to extra time 2-2


and then...

[tidus_mi2]

Haha a play-off final between 2 sides that have 2 of the worst records in the history of the play-offs.

We'll draw and engage in a never ending penalty shoot-out.

[The Royal Forester]

Haha a play-off final between 2 sides that have 2 of the worst records in the history of the play-offs.

We'll draw and engage in a never ending penalty shoot-out.

It won't be never ending though as at Midnight, the EFL will organize a best of three coin toss up. We lose, of course.

[Lower West]

No momentum and a depleted squad going into the run in. See us finishing 8th or 9th.

[royalp-we]

No momentum and a depleted squad going into the run in. See us finishing 8th or 9th.

I can see us just scraping it. We have enough in the team and it’s hardly depleted - all teams will be carrying a couple of injuries.

Swift returning for example is excellent news as we’ve lacked ideas going forward imo.

[Snowball]

No momentum and a depleted squad going into the run in. See us finishing 8th or 9th.

Want money on that?

[Stranded]

No momentum and a depleted squad going into the run in. See us finishing 8th or 9th.

Depends on how you want to view it really. 1 defeat in 7 sounds like momentum.

[Stranded]

So looking at current form, our run is against the following sides in the form table - assuming Cardiff don't hit 4 in the second half:

Watford 1st
Cardiff 19th
Luton 17th
Swansea 23rd
Norwich 2nd
Huddersfield 14th

We're 9th.

That doesn't look too bad. Definitely xan target 4 wins and see what we can get from the Watford/Norwich games.

Norwich's magic number is 10, could be as low as 4 tomorrow, so will be home and hosed well before we head there. Just depends if the title is still on the line.

[Sutekh]

So looking at current form, our run is against the following sides in the form table - assuming Cardiff don't hit 4 in the second half:

Watford 1st
Cardiff 19th
Luton 17th
Swansea 23rd
Norwich 2nd
Huddersfield 14th

We're 9th.

That doesn't look too bad. Definitely xan target 4 wins and see what we can get from the Watford/Norwich games.

Norwich's magic number is 10, could be as low as 4 tomorrow, so will be home and hosed well before we head there. Just depends if the title is still on the line.

Norwich v Watford is played in a couple of weeks I think so hopefully the title will have been sorted by the time Reading go there.

[Stranded]

So looking at current form, our run is against the following sides in the form table - assuming Cardiff don't hit 4 in the second half:

Watford 1st
Cardiff 19th
Luton 17th
Swansea 23rd
Norwich 2nd
Huddersfield 14th

We're 9th.

That doesn't look too bad. Definitely xan target 4 wins and see what we can get from the Watford/Norwich games.

Norwich's magic number is 10, could be as low as 4 tomorrow, so will be home and hosed well before we head there. Just depends if the title is still on the line.

Norwich v Watford is played in a couple of weeks I think so hopefully the title will have been sorted by the time Reading go there.

Ah hadn't spotted that, could be good for us esp. If we grab a result on Friday.

Also noted that from the 17th Bournemouth play:

Norwich (a)
Millwall (a)
Brentford (H)

That will be a big week all round. Lots could change.

[Royal_jimmy]

Watford (A) - L
Cardiff (H) - W
Luton (A) - W
Swansea (H) - L
Norwich (A) - D
Huddersfield (H) - W

76 points

[Snowball]

Also noted that from the 17th Bournemouth play:

Norwich (a)
Millwall (a)
Brentford (H)

That will be a big week all round. Lots could change.

Not saying it will happen, but it is not beyond the realm
of possibility that they could lose all three of those