Saturday 19 December 2015 07:57, UK
Sky Sports' Ian Holloway predicts the outcome of the big games in the Football League this weekend as he continues his 10 in 10 adventure - Sky Sports' marathon of 10 Football League games in 10 days....
From his very own battle bus, Ollie has run the rule over Saturday's 10 in 10 fixture - as well as picking a selection of tasty encounters from a bumper Championship schedule.
This is the game of the season in the Championship. Even though it will be my ninth game in a row, I'm so pumped for this one. Tune in, it's going to be a belter.
It's a battle of the top two and they're only separated by goal difference. Is this the end of Brighton's run? Can Middlesbrough do a number on them? I'm thinking, yes. Lewis Dunk will be a big miss for them after his stupid sending-off at QPR.
Plus, you can't go through a whole season unbeaten - it's impossible in this league. Boro have won four of their last five games and have the most talented player in the division in Stewart Downing. Whoever wins this game will be the team to catch - they can put down a huge marker.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-3 (Sky Bet odds 25/1)
Ipswich are on a roll and are putting real pressure on Burnley. This will be a big test to see where they're at. I watched them beat MK Dons last weekend and they had a ruthless look about them. It's now five wins in the last seven for Mick McCarthy's men.
With Tom Ince in such fine form, Derby will create chances. I was always on at him to get on the move as he has a tendency to let the game pass him by. He's got all the ability in the world. I'm on the fence for this one.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-2 (Sky Bet odds 25/1)
We were at Hull on Wednesday night and their comeback was sensational as the atmosphere wasn't great when they went 1-0 down. Steve Bruce's teams always have such resilience.
Allan McGregor didn't grab many headlines on Wednesday but he played a massive role in keeping Hull in the game. He's a fantastic goalkeeper - every club that has promotion aspirations need one. They can earn you at least 20 points a season. Hull look good value to keep a clean sheet in this one.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 0-2 (Sky Bet odds 9/1)
Finally the relentlessness of Burnley's fixture list has come to an end. They're now six games without a win but this looks a good fixture to get back on the winning road. They need to too as the front four are pulling clear and those in behind are smelling blood.
Andre Gray has stopped scoring and Burnley have stopped winning games - he's too good of a player to go more than five games without a goal, so Charlton will have to watch their backs.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 3-1 (Sky Bet odds 9/1)
This is a huge test for City. They let me down in midweek when I predicted they'd beat Derby. It's fair to say I got that one wrong. They got walloped. I never thought I'd say City let me down by losing 4-0!
QPR are unbeaten in four games now and they looked a good side against Brighton with their main man fit again. With Charlie Austin in this kind of form, it's got to be an away win. He scores in his sleep. I love him! He knows the game inside out and rarely misses the target.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 0-2 (Sky Bet odds 17/2)
One win all season in the league for Bolton is not good enough. However, they have been knocking at the door in games but have just failed to take their chances when on top. They put that right at Charlton in midweek and I think they'll use that confidence to good effect against Fulham, who are very inconsistent.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-0 (Sky Bet odds 7/1)
10 in 10 is part of the Football League's Come Home for Football campaign, with 180 Football League fixtures served up over the festive period. Visit www.comehomeforfootball.com for more.
