Ian Holloway
Football Expert
Ollie's predictions: Score draw at Leeds, Brighton on a roll
Last Updated: 15/09/15 12:44pm
Sky Sports pundit Ian Holloway predicts the outcome of the big Football League midweek fixtures.....
I was at the QPR defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday. It wasn't the greatest game in the world, but it livened up in the second half. It was a costly error of judgement from Rob Green but I think, on balance, Dougie Freedman's side deserved the points.
The best result from the weekend were my predictions! Two matches bang on, and four correct results too.
Brighton v Rotherham, Tuesday 7.45pm
It may be top v bottom but I don't think this will be a walkover, purely because of how the Championship is. I thought Rotherham were unlucky at the weekend, and Steve Evans' teams always put up a fight, but I can see Brighton extending their unbeaten run. Tomer Hemed is already banging them in for the home side, and I expect them to get stronger and stronger.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 15/2)
Burnley v MK Dons, Tuesday 7.45pm
Sean Dyche has made some great signings in Andre Gray and Joey Barton, and Burnley have thrown the gauntlet down to the rest of the Championship. The fans will believe their team is going for it, and I reckon there will be a great energy at Turf Moor. I like MK Dons, but I expect this to be four wins on the bounce for the home side.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 3-0 (Sky Bet odds 14/1)
Cardiff v Hull, Tuesday 7.45pm
I believe both sides are going to be in promotion contention come the end of the season. I like the look of the squad Russell Slade has got, particularly the strength in depth. On the other hand, I'm not sure how Hull will react after losing Nikica Jelavic at the end of the transfer window, but I know Steve Bruce has what it takes to get his side going for the big games.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 9/2)
Leeds v Ipswich, Tuesday 7.45pm
This game has to have goals. I like the way Leeds are bringing through the young players, and the fans have bought into Uwe Rosler's vision for the club. I think they have underachieved in recent years, and now is the time to realign the club and push for more wins.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-2 (Sky Bet odds 12/1)
Middlesbrough v Brentford, Tuesday 7.45pm
I picked Stewart Downing for first scorer last week and he didn't disappoint! I got the wrong score line, but you can't have everything. Downing and Nugent have been great signings for Middlesbrough, as well as Diego Fabbrini, a lad I know well. I had him at Millwall, he's a wonderfully eye-catching footballer. Defensively he is still learning, but if he can develop that side of his game he'll be a real asset.
Brentford have struggled at the start of this season. I've got a funny feeling that, playing Saturday and then again Tuesday, they won't be able to keep up with Middlesbrough.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 3-0 (Sky Bet odds 11/1)
Port Vale v Millwall, Tuesday 7.45pm
I was delighted to see Aiden O'Brien get his first league hat-trick last weekend. He is a fantastic talent, and will get you goals wherever you play him across the front line. However, I think the travel might scupper Millwall, two away days to Crewe and then Port Vale may be their undoing.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 0-0 (Sky Bet odds 9/1)
Sheffield United v Colchester, Tuesday 7.45pm
Bramall Lane is always a tough place to go; that crowd makes it like two extra men on the pitch! Many a Premier League side has come amiss there, and I think Sheffield United should be in the mix for promotion this season, if their players can deal with the expectation. Colchester have struggled of late, this might be the game that turns things for them, but I just can't see it.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet odds 12/1)
