Ollie's predictions: Derby to deliver at Leeds
Tuesday 29 December 2015 10:54, UK
Sky Sports' Ian Holloway predicts the outcomes of the big clashes in the Football League.
Leeds v Derby, Tuesday 7.45pm, Sky Sports 1 HD
Derby are showing signs of being champions and Leeds won't be looking forward to this fixture with Paul Clement's team in such fine form. It's now just one defeat in 18 games for the Rams and they've kept six clean sheets in their last seven games.
That's no surprise though with a player like Jason Shackell leading the back line. What a signing he's been and it shows the spending power Derby have even over a team like Burnley that were in the Premier League last season.
I fancy another win and clean sheet for Derby.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 0-2 (Sky Bet odds 7/1)
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Brighton v Ipswich, Tuesday 7.45pm
Brighton are the draw specialists having racked up 11 stalemates already this season and this looks a prime candidate for another as Ipswich are in fine form. Brighton are having their first blip of the season and it usually lasts four or five games. This will be a big test for them and a draw wouldn't be a bad result against an Ipswich side that are brilliantly organised.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 6/1)
Ollie's earlier predictions...
Bolton v Blackburn
Bolton got smashed to bits on Boxing Day. Losing 4-0 to Rotherham means something is seriously wrong there. They need a wake-up call - and fast. Neil Lennon has plenty of quality in that squad and they should be performing better than they are. I think it will be a miracle if they survive relegation now. There's doom and gloom all around the club.
Blackburn are a quality outfit on their day and they have a goalscorer in Jordan Rhodes who can turn draws into wins. He'll score in an away win.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 0-2 (Sky Bet odds 10/1)
Middlesbrough v Sheffield Wednesday
This is the game of the day. This is the game of the day. Did I mention? This is the game of the day.
I can't wait to sit down and watch this one on Sky Sports. I like what Sheffield Wednesday are building and I think they'll go to the Riverside and do Middlesbrough over.
Carlos Carvalhal has got a wonderful way about him and I love the way he gets his team playing. He always has four or five players interchanging. They fear nobody, whether it's Arsenal or Middlesbrough. They don't change their style and they're in great form having won 4-1 and 3-0 in their last two games.
Middlesbrough will be under huge pressure from their own fans to win this game. This is a serious challenge for them. It's tough to be the top dog and to keep on winning. It's a big burden to carry.
Plus, Boro had their game cancelled on Boxing Day, which I don't think actually helps them. Sometimes it's worse missing a game when you've just had a big result like they had at Brighton. That could also yield a little bit of complacency in their game.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 16/1)
Birmingham v MK Dons
After checking my form book, I don't think I've actually tipped MK Dons for a win yet this season - until now.
Birmingham have lost their spark in the last month, winning just one of their last seven and scoring just three goals. Their squad is being stretched.
MK Dons have always had enough talent to do some damage, it's just been their defence that has let them down. I doubt whether Birmingham have enough going forward to break them down in this game. Nicky Maynard has scored two in his last three games and that should do him the world of good. He's got a fantastic footballing brain. It's a shame his career has been hit by injuries.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 0-1 (Sky Bet odds 6/1)
Burnley v Bristol City
Burnley have won just one of their last eight games - maybe the expectation is getting to the squad?
Getting smashed 3-0 by Hull was a bit of a shock. When they went up last time, that sort of result never happened. Once you've done it before you're there to be shot at - I think Burnley as a club are better when they're the underdog. When you're successful as a club it can change the whole complexity in terms of expectations from the players and fans.
Previous teams who have been relegated, like Norwich, are much better at dealing with high expectation.
Bristol City can get results on the road, as shown when they beat Middlesbrough earlier this season.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 6/1)
Charlton v Wolves
Wolves finally broke their dismal run at home on Boxing Day and that should do them a world of good. Once that young squad get confident, Kenny Jackett will get them zooming up the table. He'll need to bring in some experience in January though. That defence can capitulate, like they did at home to Leeds. It's like a forest fire when that happens. Mistakes spread so fast.
I can't speak highly enough of Jordan Graham on the wing. When you have a player like that in your team, you will create chances. He should be able to work his magic against a Charlton defence that has shipped 13 goals in their last six games.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 0-2 (Sky Bet odds 11/2)
Preston v Hull
Hull have had their blip and they've come through it. That comeback at home to Reading on 10 in 10 could be a massive moment in their season. That gave them the confidence to blow away Burnley 3-0 on Boxing Day. If anyone finishes above Hull City they will have been automatically promoted - the lowest they'll finish will be third. All the best to the rest of the clubs below Derby, Middlesbrough and Hull in terms of automatic promotion.
Preston always put up a fight and are tough to break down but Hull breezed past them 2-0 earlier this season. This game will be slightly closer but the result will be the same.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 9/1)
QPR v Huddersfield
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has got a big job on his hands with the expectation at QPR. I hate to say it, but I don't think the squad is strong enough. There's not enough strength in depth to sustain a promotion push. It all hinges on one player and he's not fully fit. Huddersfield are a tough cookie but my heart says QPR will just have enough as players like Leroy Fer can open up teams.
It's about time Fer pulled his finger out and stepped up to the plate. I'd like to see him affect a game. I want a performance out of him. I want to see him score goals and make more offensive runs. I've watched him a few times and he doesn't do enough to justify how much QPR paid for him. He looked a much better player at Norwich than he does now.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-0 (Sky Bet odds 9/2)
Reading v Brentford
Brian McDermott has already got his feet under the table and is having a positive effect on his players. I love him. I would want to play for him. He gets his team playing in a good structure and gets them very organised.
Oliver Norwood is making a big name for himself at Reading - he looks good for the first goal here after cracking the woodwork at Wolves on Boxing Day. He's a ticker. He lends in, gets it, lends it, gets it and has a fantastic array of passing. You can tell he's learned his trade at Manchester United. He's always three or four passes ahead of the game - like Paul Scholes and Ray Wilkins.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-0 (Sky Bet odds 6/1)
