FESTIVE FIXTURES: THE CHAMPIONSHIP
Table-toppers Cardiff aiming to fend off the chasing pack
Just six points separate the current top four clubs, which means that several positions, except our own, could well change by the end of the Boxing Day schedule.
TIGERS ARE ROARING:Second-placedHull Citylook for their fifth consecutive victory when they take on fifth clubLeicester Cityat KC Stadium. Hull have scored eight goals in their last four matches, while Leicester have now lost their last two games without scoring; one win in their last five has slowed their challenge.
:BORO v. BLACKBURNMiddlesbrough,in fourth place, continue to be inconsistent, and seem unable to put consecutive victories together. They now face lower-halfBlackburn Rovers Their match against Brighton was postponed last Saturday and they go into Boxing Day with just one point from their last five games.difficult.at The Riverside, Boro having won four and lost four of their last eight games, with Scott McDonald scoring just once in his last four matches. Meanwhile, Blackburn continue to find life
HORNETS IN TOP SIX: IfWatfordwin atBristol Cityon Boxing Day, then they will strengthen their top-six position. Matej Vydra returned to their starting line-up and scored twice in their 2-0 home win against Nottingham Forest last Saturday, and they have now won three of their last five games. As for Bristol City, who gained a 1-1 draw at Ipswich on Saturday, they are in twenty-third position, two points adrift of safety and now with just one win in their last five games.
LEEDS FOR PLAY-OFF POSITION?There will be no match for seventh club Millwall on Boxing Day - they played a 2-2 draw at Brighton on December 18th, soLeeds United,in eighth spot, will overtake them if Leeds can win atNottingham Forestand perhaps reach the top six. Neil Warnock's side recovered from their 5-1 Capitol One Cup defeat by Chelsea to beat Middlesbrough 2-1 at home last weekend. Luciano Beccio scored twice against 'Boro to make it seven goals in his last seven matches. Boxing Day opponents Forest have won just once in their last five games.
PETERBOROUGH IMPROVING:At the bottom,Peterborough Unitedgo to mid-table this afternoon,Wolverhampton WanderersPosh now having won their last two games including Saturday's 5-4 home win against Bolton. Darren Ferguson's side are now only three points off the safety mark - with new signing Dwight Gayle proving a revelation.
