Saturday 22 October 2016 14:49, UK
Aston Villa to register back-to-back victories? Ian Holloway returns with another round of Sky Bet EFL predictions.
I just can't work out Nottingham Forest - they are like Fulham last season and are hugely inconsistent but score plenty of goals. They hammered Bristol City then lost to Blackburn - it's a real head-scratcher.
The home fans will be keen to get one over on former Notts County man Neil Warnock, so they'll be up for this. But that should only motivate Warnock more, who has taken four points from two games as Cardiff manager.
Forest's 13 league games this season have produced 48 goals, which suggests plenty of chances will be forthcoming. Score draw.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-2 (Sky Bet odds 22/1)
All hail king Steve!
Bruce guided Aston Villa to their first away win since August 2015 on Tuesday at Reading and I think the positive vibes from that game should help the atmosphere at Villa Park.
Those Villa players need their fans at the moment as they are struggling with their confidence. I remember at Blackpool, the crowd stuck with us whatever the score and it played a huge part in our success. Fulham will be a tough nut to crack, but if Villa get the first goal, I think they'll make it back-to-back wins.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 10/1)
Alex Neil's side are in ominous form, especially at home. They have a knack at Carrow Road of beating the teams in the bottom half of the division. However, although Preston are technically in the bottom 10 they are on the up having beaten Aston Villa and Huddersfield in recent weeks.
I wouldn't be surprised to see this match end 0-0 as Preston are defensively sound, but Wes Hoolahan is a player made for tight matches like this. He can weave his magic and get the winner.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-0 (Sky Bet odds 15/2)
Mick McCarthy will be relishing this challenge of trying to stop the in-form team in the division. If anyone can derail Newcastle's winning run it's Mick. They have the joint-best defence in the Championship with Brighton, conceding just nine goals, but you just can't bet against Dwight Gayle at the moment. He's already scored 11 league goals and I'll be stunned if he doesn't add to that this weekend.
He was the most expensive player I ever purchased as a manager when I took him to Crystal Palace and I'm not surprised to see him banging them in. He's pure quality.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 11/2)
I deserve to be hung up by my underpants for my pre-season Huddersfield relegation prediction. I couldn't have got it more wrong. The problem David Wagner will have is when his players suffer a blip in form, get injured or suspended.
Judging by their last two results, that may be happening already. However, their high-tempo game - if at its best - will trouble Derby. Before Huddersfield lost to Sheffield Wednesday, they had won their previous five at home. I think they'll bounce back.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-0 (Sky Bet odds 6/1)
This has got draw written all over it. Wednesday are a dangerous side at home, but QPR are one of the best teams in the division on the road.
Despite conceding a hatful against Newcastle, I still think QPR have a solid defensive unit that will keep plenty of clean sheets. The win over Bristol City will do wonders for their confidence.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 6/1)
Good luck to my old mate Kenny Jackett if he gets the Rotherham job. He'll get them very organised and tighten up their defence. He was an international standard full-back in his playing days. What he doesn't know about defending isn't worth knowing. If he's in the dugout, I fancy him to work his magic straight away and keep a clean sheet.
Will they have enough quality to break through Reading? I'm not sure. I don't do it often but I'm going for a 0-0.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 0-0 (Sky Bet odds 15/2)
I wouldn't mind going to this game. Two in-form teams with eyes firmly on promotion.
Bradford lost their first game in 16 matches at Oxford while United are unbeaten in their last nine.
Stuart McCall and Chris Wilder are in their element in charge of these teams. They fit like a glove. I'm on the fence.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 15/2)
It's top against bottom in League Two and it's hard to see anything other than an away win for the Green Army. I fancy them to win the division and they're not letting me down at the minute, winning nine of their last 11 league matches.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 0-2 (Sky Bet odds 15/2)
