Ian Holloway's predictions: Wins for Brighton, Wolves and Bristol City
Tuesday 18 August 2015 19:39, UK
Sky Sports pundit Ian Holloway predicts the outcome of the big Football League midweek fixtures and is tipping Brighton to continue their 100 per cent record...
I know this is my new job, but how hard is this?! Particularly in the Championship. But there’s more pressure being a manager, so I shouldn’t moan too much.
I fared better at the weekend than my 0/10 effort on the opening weekend by predicting three correct scores and being denied by late goals at Loftus Road and Craven Cottage.
You can’t teach old dogs new tricks, but hopefully I’ll get the hang of this and get a little bit more accurate.
On another note, I’ve had a right weekend of it. I had to drive a van to Brentwood in Essex as my daughter is moving out. She’s flown the nest and I’ll be selling all the stuff she’s left here, although she doesn’t know it yet.
I left at 6am, drove all the way to Essex, unloaded a van and I only got back for the last 10 minutes of Super Sunday.
The punditry in the studio was amazing. How Niall Quinn upset the room by saying that's the end of John Terry. I thought Graeme Souness was going to hit him! It was fantastic.
There’s a real intriguing set of fixtures this week, let’s hope for an upturn in form.
Blackburn v Cardiff, Tuesday, 19:45
It’s really tough for Gary Bowyer this season. They’ve got a transfer embargo on them and they may lose Jordan Rhodes. I watched Cardiff on Saturday and they were very organised. To have Sammy Ameobi, Kenwyne Jones and Craig Noone on the bench – it was pretty scary. The standard of their squad really did impress me. That should give them the edge in this one.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 0-1 (Sky Bet odds 17/2)
Derby v Middlesbrough, Tuesday, 19:45
I’ve changed my mind three times on this one! It’s very difficult to call, so I’m going for a draw. They are both good teams, who will be up there at the end of the season.
It’s going to take a little while for the Derby players to get used to Paul Clement. When they do click, they’ll hit a good run of form, they have got some undoubted quality there. If you offered Paul the 1-1 now, he would probably settle for that with the strength of Middlesbrough.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 9/2)
Huddersfield v Brighton, Tuesday, 19:45
There’ll be loads of talent on show – I love some of Huddersfield’s players, Nahki Wells, Sean Scannell and Jacob Butterfield. However, Brighton are dark horses this year. Some people had made them favourites to go down this year and they are top of the league after two games! Chris Hughton has got them well organised and they are very hard to break down. They have the momentum, and Brighton can make it three from three.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 0-1 (Sky Bet odds 11/2)
MK Dons v Bolton, Tuesday, 19:45
Another tough one! I'll go draw. Karl Robinson has done fantastic with that team. It’s a real tough step up for them but they should score plenty of goals. Meanwhile, I can’t see anything other than Bolton improving under Neil Lennon and they should get their first goal of the season here – it’s been a long time coming.
Emile Heskey’s getting older but it’s a doddle for him at this level – he’s a great player. I love the way he links the play, he’s an old fashioned centre-forward. He’s great to have around your group.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 5/1)
Rotherham v Preston, Tuesday, 19:45
I don’t want Steve Evans to think I’m picking on him but it’s going to be hard for Rotherham this year. I’ve been really impressed with Preston. I love how organised Simon Grayson has got them. I think they’ll do really well, they’ll be the shock of that division this year.
I can only see Preston winning this one. Joe Garner is a player I love, and he can get the goal. He works his socks off and I was delighted to see him score lots of goals last season. He will do it at this level – he was born to score goals.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 0-1 (Sky Bet odds 13/2)
Bristol City v Leeds, Wednesday, 19:45
It’s been a tough start for Bristol City. They were 2-1 up before they had a man sent off against Brentford. City were brilliant at home last year and I think it’s only a matter of time before they get it going. I think they’ll nick this one and they’ll finish higher than people think. It shows their ambition going for Dwight Gayle. Will they get him? Probably not. If he’s got the choice of a London team I think he’ll stay there.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-0 (Sky Bet odds 11/2)
Wolves v QPR, Wednesday, 19:45
This is a real tough game for QPR at Molineux with the support Wolves get there. I didn’t quite see QPR gelling the way I wanted them to against Cardiff and I think Wolves will be too strong. It’s going to take Chris Ramsey a while to get them organised, while Kenny Jackett has got a really hard-working group together with lots of experience and has got a frightening strike force. Wolves are a club on the march.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet odds 8/1)
Hull City v Fulham, Wednesday, 19:45
This is the trickiest game of the lot. I was quite impressed with Steve Bruce when listening to him on the radio when driving my daughter to Brentwood. He’s had to dust himself down after relegation, look himself in the mirror and have another go. I think it’s fantastic. I’m excited about Hull’s chances. However, I fancy Fulham to get something here. The academy players are getting a chance to play and the board made the correct decision to give Kit Symonds the job last season.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 11/2)
Coventry v Crewe, Tuesday, 19:45
What a fantastic manager Coventry have. Tony Mowbray is brilliant. Crewe have got some young players in their defence and I think Coventry have enough firepower to score a few goals in this one.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 3-1 (Sky Bet odds 11/2)
Luton v Bristol Rovers, Tuesday, 19:45
Rovers got their first victory on Saturday but I can’t see Luton getting beaten at home. Rovers are buoyant and I think Ellis Harrison will score again but John Still’s side are strong at home. But judging by my predictions so far, Rovers will probably win this game!
OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 11/2)
