Watford are hoping to build on a breathless midweek comeback win over West Brom. They now find themselves preparing to host that same team when they play their next match against each other. New-old manager Javi Gracia will want to improve on that as Championship life really starts to kick up a gear. On the other hand, Coventry have been piling on the pressure in league play, upholding their status as the top team in the Championship this season. It’s promising to be an interesting weekend of match ups, with Ipswich up against West Brom and Portsmouth taking on Stoke.
That comeback victory over West Brom, Watford’s most recent success, was a perfect example of that steeliness. The team was able to find their way back from a tough spot and even showed flashes of their potential under Gracia’s stewardship. This win comes as a healthy shot in the arm for Watford, who now hope to further improve their league position since returning to the top-flight.
Teams in the Playoff Race
With the Championship now in full swing, Fleetwood are only three points away from the playoff spots. Their ambition to crash the Champions League’s top tier grows stronger with each matchday. Bolton is currently only four points out of a playoff spot. They’re preparing to welcome League One leaders Cardiff City in a crucial fixture that may alter the course of their season.
Accrington by contrast are three points clear of the drop as things stand. They’re gonna have to find points, or else they’ll be out of contention before the summer turns to fall and winter. Mansfield and Wigan are similarly hungry for top six place, looking to eat into the deficit as they chase a playoff for promotion.
Spotlight on Ipswich and West Brom
Ipswich has been a disappointment all year, considering the loaded roster stocked for an impressive run this season. Predict analysts say it’s a team still trying to establish an identity, and that was especially the case earlier in the year, as detailed by David Prutton.
“Ipswich are not quite hitting their stride. We thought after that win against Norwich before the break they’d really find some rhythm, but it hasn’t happened yet.” – David Prutton
With West Brom as the next opponents, Ipswich need to get back on track. Prutton further emphasized their potential, stating that they have shown the capability to dominate teams but need to regain consistency.
“Defensively, they haven’t quite got the balance right. There’s still a lot more to come from Ipswich. They’re capable of blowing teams away, as they showed against Sheffield United, but they need to rediscover that level.” – David Prutton
Outlook on Coventry and Stoke
Coventry have been one of the most consistently dangerous teams throughout the Championship this season, and will certainly be a tough test. Behind the scenes they’re preparing to whup Watford. Expectations skyrocket as they look to remain in their expected perennial first place atop the league’s standings.
Stoke were one of the big winners of last weekend, starting the weekend nestled within the playoff places and looking to solidify their position against Portsmouth. And Frank Lampard’s team has put together one of the league’s hottest streaks, winning five in a row and forcing their competition to play under pressure.
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