We already have three previews for this afternoon, which were written on Thursday and they are all reproduced below, just the one additional selection at the moment.
I will send a J-League half time stats update (like in midweek) for the 11.00 (UK) kick offs at about 11.50, very basic, but I use it myself anyway, so you might as well have it.
There will be a follow up email @ 13.00 with the focus on the overnight MLS football and maybe one other event.
This afternoon, I am 95% certain that I am going to the Reading-Ipswich match (see below) and have contacts at Port Vale-Brentford, QPR-Sheffield Wednesday and maybe Millwall-Yeovil Town, so will try and send a line or two about a couple of these at half time (15.50), for anyone who is interested .
Championship: Reading-Ipswich Town
I think the Royals are very short odds today, they are perennial slow starters, even in their Championship winning season of 2011-12 they were second from bottom after losing four of their first six matches, did not win until November 17th last season and they have not won on opening day for seven years.
Boss Nigel Adkins is a bit of a fitness freak and works his players incredibly hard in pre season, this sometimes takes it's toll early season, teams can be over trained and are then lethargic through the start of the campaign , before getting the benefit later in the season, this is something we have discussed previously, in particular with Guingamp in France. Whilst at Southampton, his team were 1-1-8 through their first ten Premier League matches, with the new signings perhaps struggling to adapt to this.
Some of the Reading new additions have failed to impress in pre season, where the Royals have underperformed in losing to both Bristol clubs and were thumped by Swansea City here at the Madejski recently and if we have hit upon the likely reason, then the early start to the campaign, two weeks ahead of last season's schedule, is further against them.
Anyway, Town have largely breezed through an unbeaten pre season, with a series of impressive performances, admittedly against lower league opposition. However, they have got the winning habit under Mick McCarthy who has turned the club around in double quick time, when he took charge last November, Town were bottom of the Championship with a 1-4-8 record, they won 15 times after that and secured mid table safety. MM is not a Premier League manager, but he knows how to get out of this division and has taken both Sunderland and Wolverhampton Wanderers up to the top flight. His Town team look a little stronger this time round and might be able to push for a playoff spot, they will definitely be tough to beat, new signings include midfielder Jay Tabb from Reading, Scottish International centre back Christophe Berra and defensive midfielder Cole Skuse ,who are exactly McCarthy's type of player. Upfront, David McGoldrick who scored 20 goals in 35 L1 and Championship appearances last season, has made a permanent move, along with Paul Anderson of Bristol City who at just 24 is looking to re-kick start his career after being really well thought of at Liverpool as a teenager, he showed glimpses of that in a very poor City team last season and could be a good addition.Ryan Tunnicliffe and Frédéric Veseli have both joined from Manchester United where MM enjoys good relations, or did with the previous management.
Of the three summer signings for Adkins, defensive midfielder Daniel Williams is injured, Wayne Bridge is not getting any better at 32 yo, but to be fair did play virtually a full season for Brighton, the first time he has played more than 23 league games in one season since 2003-04 (!) and Royston Drenthe is reportedly overweight and doesn't enjoy training much !
Hosts have not scored a home goal in five matches and whilst they could have a good campaign, they were way off top flight quality last season and may take a little time to adjust back to Championship football and refind some confidence. 1.25 units Ipswich Town +0.5 ball 2.12 asian line/Ibramarket.
Good Luck.
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