Saturday 14 January 2017 14:06, UK
David Prutton returns with his weekend predictions from the Sky Bet EFL and foresees another stumble for Newcastle United.
It was a strange result for Villa, losing at Cardiff, after having such a great start under Steve Bruce.
Wolves are an entertaining side under Paul Lambert, but they lack consistency. Helder Costa rather sums it up. He's got a ridiculous amount of pace and can change a game but his inconsistent form reflects the team as a whole. However, if you have aspirations of competing towards the top of the Championship, you need players like Costa. He'll get the first goal in a draw.
PRUTTON PREDICTS: 1-1 (5/1 with Sky Bet)
This is a real 'toss of the coin' game.
Bristol City's results recently have left me scratching my head but if they turn up in full flow and Tammy Abraham gets chances, then they have a wonderful chance of winning.
As long as Cardiff City stay in the Championship, then that is Neil Warnock's remit fulfilled. I think Bristol City can snap their seven-game losing run.
PRUTTON PREDICTS: 2-0 (10/1 with Sky Bet)
Newcastle are missing Jonjo Shelvey. He sets the tempo, direction and tempo of their play. Shelvey brings the best out of Matt Ritchie and Dwight Gayle. He's absolutely imperative to the way they play. They've yet to win in 2017 and that may continue here.
This will be a tough game at Griffin Park for Rafa Benitez's boys. Brentford are a young team, who on their day, can give anybody a game.
PRUTTON PREDICTS: 1-1 (6/1 with Sky Bet)
Despite both teams being out of form, this will be tough for Wigan as Burton are a solid proposition at home. They've got the fifth-best home defence in the league. That will stand them in good stead in trying to avoid the drop.
PRUTTON PREDICTS: 2-1 (12/1 with Sky Bet)
Brighton are in imperious mood. They have the best defence in the league and they get goals from all over the pitch, whether it's Glenn Murray, Dale Stephens or Anthony Knockaert. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to work out that's a winning formula.
Preston have impressed me this season. Simon Grayson is doing a fine job of establishing them. However, Brighton will be well aware that any slip-up could be costly.
PRUTTON PREDICTS: 1-2 (8/1 with Sky Bet)
It's very positive news to read that Fernando Forestieri has signed a new deal at Wednesday. That to me suggests there is harmony in that dressing room now. He is their main man, along with Keiran Lee, who is out injured currently.
Huddersfield, who continue to impress, would surely take a point.
This one screams draw.
PRUTTON PREDICTS: 1-1 (6/1 with Sky Bet)
There could be a bit of needle in this one as they only played a few weeks ago, where Millwall won 3-1. This is a team that scores goals. Steve Morison, Lee Gregory and Aiden O'Brien are all into double figures this season. That's some return.
It's going to be interesting to see how Charlton react to losing their go-to-guy Ademola Lookman. Manager Karl Robinson has been through that before with Dele Alli at MK Dons, so he might use that experience to help him.
I fancy an away win, especially after Millwall's result at Bournemouth.
PRUTTON PREDICTS: 1-2 (12/1 with Sky Bet)
The Blades look on course to finally get out of Sky Bet League One. It's been a long time coming, if they do see it through. They are four points clear and Billy Sharp is banging them in.
Walsall were playing some great stuff last season, but losing Romaine Sawyers and Tom Bradshaw has hit them hard.
If teams have aspirations of winning a title, they need to go to a mid-table team and win. I think United will.
PRUTTON PREDICTS: 1-2 (8/1 with Sky Bet)
Prutton's earlier predictions...
Me, Gary Rowett and Scott Minto will be on duty in the studio for this one - unless our producer decides to embrace his twisted sense of humour and put us pitchside in the snow!
Reading have got things spot on this season, especially at home, where they have won 27 points this season - only Brighton (29) have won more.
I really hope Ian Holloway pulls QPR up by the boot-straps, but this is a tough fixture. He's had long enough to make his mind up about certain individuals in his squad and to deem who is up for sticking around. At the end of the day it's his head on the block, so it's imperative that he has the power to make big decisions.
This looks a home win to me.
PRUTTON PREDICTED: 2-1
Confidence will be high at Derby after beating West Brom in the FA Cup. The addition of David Nugent will only make them better, too.
However, they're coming up against a Leeds team who are unbeaten in six games and have won eight games at Elland Road this season. This fixture shouldn't hold any fears for Leeds. They're very closely matched on the stats.
The atmosphere at Elland Road may just swing this in Leeds' favour but I'm going to be boring and go for a draw.
PRUTTON PREDICTED: 2-2
