Ollie's predictions: Leeds lose again, Brighton to remain unbeaten
Tuesday 3 November 2015 20:59, UK
Sky Sports pundit Ian Holloway predicts the outcome of the big Football League fixtures this Tuesday...
Birmingham v Blackburn, Tuesday 7.45pm
Both these clubs done me over at the weekend. I had Birmingham to beat Wolves and Leeds to beat Blackburn. It all went upside down.
Birmingham are still way above where anyone thought they'd be and Blackburn were excellent against both Burnley and Leeds. This one is tough, but I'm just siding with the home team.
They are very well organised with four at the back and the two in midfield. Then they have the four players who love hitting teams on the counter. It's an exciting style of play.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 10/1)
Brentford v Hull, Tuesday 7.45pm
Here we have two teams in great form and I don't think they can be separated. I really liked the look of Brentford's bench on Friday in the win over QPR - they made a difference. The club are doing things right, Mark Warburton set it up well and good luck to them.
Hull will definitely be promoted come the end of the season and they have the ability to stop what Lee Carsley is doing. He's made a big difference to their overall unity and confidence.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-2 (Sky Bet odds 14/1)
Bristol City v Wolves, Tuesday 7.45pm
Some people may think I've gone mad, but I'm going for a convincing home win. Yes, they got hammered on Saturday, but their manager is very good and has the ability to bounce a team back. He'll get them buzzing. There's always a strange result, and this is this week's candidate. Jonathan Kodjia is growing every game he plays in English football and I like the look of him. He'll bang one in.
I just can't tell what Wolves are going to do at the minute. Kenny Jackett has done a great job but I've got to predict a score, and I just fancy a home win.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 3-1 (Sky Bet odds 16/1)
Burnley v Fulham, Tuesday 7.45pm
You could just flip a coin on this one. Anything could happen, but Burnley just get my vote. At home they are a force.
Sean Dyche has got them outstandingly organised. It wouldn't be a surprise to see them go top in the next week or so. There's a gnat's wing between those at the top. Burnley are like a boxer with a strong chin. You can hit them with an iron bar, and it won't affect them.
Fulham are an enigma. They are so difficult to predict. The average age of the team is a problem there. It's hard to get consistency in the Championship - let alone with a squad full of kids. They're up. They're down. When they're on it, they can be rampant, but they can easily go the other way.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 8/1)
Derby v QPR, Tuesday 7.45pm
Derby are on a roll, and I think they may just have too much quality for QPR within their squad.
QPR's results are killing me, but I listen to my heart rather than my head when it comes to the Super Hoops.
Paul Clement has got the Derby players believing and that's worrying for everybody else. Tom Ince will like playing in this one, as will Matt Phillips, who I also used to manage. They used to try and outdo each other in training with their skills. It was great to watch. They both should have a good game here.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 8/1)
Leeds v Cardiff, Tuesday 7.45pm
The Leeds fans deserve better. People there are so loyal it's unreal, but it's only going to get worse. I think they'll lose at home again.
The players can't improve as footballers when they don't know who's going to be in charge long-term. If that is Steve Evans, great, give him a longer contract then! What chance has Evans got? He's got a month-to-month rolling contract! I can understand it's an honour to be working for Leeds United, but you're not working for Leeds United, you're working for an owner that doesn't really know what he's doing. Does he deserve that club? I don't think so. The supporters don't chop and change so why should the chairman?
Leeds' backline are abysmal. Sol Bamba wants the ball too much, instead of sorting players out around him. The defensive decisions they are making are quite appalling. I think that's because they can look around and blame everyone else. If you've got a young group of players you need someone to boss them around. There is a lack of a leader.
Cardiff have got the tools to go to Elland Road and win. They have the squad to challenge at the top.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 9/1)
MK Dons v Charlton, Tuesday 7.45pm
Get that yellow ticker ready, this is huge breaking news. I've predicted 140 games this season, and I'm doing something I haven't done yet…plumping for a 0-0 draw!
I hate going for them, but it's hard to see any other result. MK haven't scored in 271 minutes while Charlton haven't found the net in 360 minutes! I just can't see who's going to get the goals or light up the pitch. This is a huge game for both clubs as MK Dons could drop into the bottom three and mangerless Charlton are already there. Both teams really can't afford to lose.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 0-0 (Sky Bet odds 7/1)
Middlesbrough v Rotherham, Tuesday 7.45pm
I've been kind to Rotherham here, predicting just a 2-0 victory for Middlesbrough, who are going to take some stopping. It could easily be a walloping. Middlesbrough versus Rotherham is a bit of an unfair match-up at the moment. Neil Redfearn is a great man-motivator and they'll have a go, but they need to prove people wrong week-in, week-out to stay in this division.
They're facing a team that beat Manchester United on penalties at Old Trafford. That's a massive result. It's was a phenomenal achievement.
The club is growing all the time and well done to them. The relationship between the chairman and the manager is brilliant while the fact that they blew their chance in the play-off final hasn't bothered anyone. They've just got stronger and that's how a club should be run.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet odds 7/1)
Sheffield Wednesday v Brighton, Tuesday 7.45pm
Are Brighton the next invincibles? Probably not, as it's impossible to go through a season in this league unbeaten - the challenge is just too great, but they can keep their run going on Tuesday.
Saying that, Wednesday are playing some great stuff and have got the crowd with them.
Barry Bannan has broken into the team recently and he's made a difference. He's one of my favourite ever players; he's a genius. The more he has the ball the better he is. I think he's a good shout to score a free-kick in this one too. Bang, right in the top corner! The players look like they're enjoying the freedom the manager has given them to go and pass and play.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 6/1)
Reading v Huddersfield, Tuesday, 8.00pm
I'm a big fan of Reading under Steve Clarke. They'll win this one. Maybe 3-0, maybe 3-1, maybe 1-0 - calling the correct score is so damn hard. But I'm confident this will be a home win.
Matej Vydra opened his account at the weekend and just like a bus, another one should be along soon, and it should arrive here. I love the lad's brain. He thinks quicker than anyone around him. He's slotted in brilliantly there with Nick Blackman and Orlando Sa. They have got so many options.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet odds 8/1)
