Touching Distance

03 April 1996 - FA Carling Premiership
Liverpool 4 Fowler 2, 55, Collymore 68, 90+2
Newcastle United 3 Ferdinand 10, Ginola 14, Asprilla 57

Liverpool David James - Jason McAteer, Mark Wright (Steve Harkness 45), John Scales, Neil Ruddock, Rob Jones (Ian Rush 85) - Jamie Redknapp, John Barnes, Steve McManaman - Stan Collymore, Robbie Fowler
Newcastle United Pavel Srníček - Steve Watson, Steve Howey (Darren Peacock 82), Philippe Albert, John Beresford - Peter Beardsley, David Batty, Robert Lee, David Ginola - Faustino Asprilla, Les Ferdinand. Booked Peter Beardsley, David Batty
Attendance 40,702 at Anfield Referee Mike Read (Birmingham)
Kick-off 8pm. Live on Sky Sports.

KEVIN KEEGAN slumped over an advertising hoarding at Anfield. It is a defining image of football as a Newcastle United fan in the 1990s.

Stan Collymore closed in on his stoppage time goal exactly 20 years ago today as the Magpies' stab at a first league title since 1927 suffered a horrendous blow.

This 4-3 match is still considered an era-defining game and was voted as the Premier League's "match of the decade".

But, as a Newcastle fan, it would be a soul-destroying 90 minutes.

The anxiety began early as the aforementioned Collymore produced an inch-perfect cross for Robbie Fowler to head Liverpool into the lead after just two minutes.

Newcastle under Keegan, however, had genuine spirit - after all, they were going for the title - and they fought their way back to take the lead inside of the first quarter hour.

First, Faustino Asprilla jinked down the right and set up Les Ferdinand to strike in front of the Kop - then David Ginola finished a fast break by firing home from the edge of the box.

The Magpies held the lead at half time - but the first 45 minutes of action had merely served as an aperitif of what was to follow.

Liverpool got back on terms within 10 minutes of the break as Steve McManaman turned Philippe Albert inside out on the right before setting up Fowler for his second. Fowler slid into the net head first in celebration.

Nonetheless, two minutes later, Newcastle were ahead again with the best goal of the game.

Peter Beardsley slipped in Robert Lee on halfway and the England midfielder slid in Asprilla down the right-hand channel.

David James came right out to the edge of his box in an attempt to close the angle but the wily Colombian maverick swerved the ball with the outside of his right boot into an empty net.

It was 3-2 - but there was still more than half an hour to play. I was only 12 years old at the time and was afforded the luxury of watching the match on Sky Sports at a neighbour's house. It seemed like an eternity.

Collymore equalised for Liverpool on 68 minutes after he stabbed home from Jason McAteer's dangerous cross just ahead of Pavel Srníček.

And, clearly, the action was not about to dissipate - both teams were still going hell for leather.

Newcastle created the next big chance as Albert, looking to atone for his backing off earlier, found Ferdinand in the left-hand channel.

The big-hearted Londoner battled past Steve Harkness and was clear in the box but he could only shoot straight at James who did not know a lot about his save.

It should have been Ferdinand's 24th league goal of the season and it should have been 4-3 to Newcastle.

But it was neither of those things. Instead, the script was set for a stoppage time winner and it was John Barnes for Liverpool who had the ball.

Barnes and substitute Ian Rush - both of whom would turn out in black-and-white just over a year later - slalomed through a tiring and retreating Newcastle rearguard. They were being roared forward by the home support, and the tension was unbearable.

The pair made it to the edge of the box then Barnes, after adjusting his feet around Rush, found Collymore in space on the left side of the box. The rest is history.

Keegan's reaction summed up the feelings of every Newcastle fan. This was a glorious match in which to be involved, but it was also a crushing defeat. For the first time in following Newcastle, I shed tears and felt scarred.

Author Martin Hardy, in his excellent recent book Touching Distance - about the Magpies' 1995/96 season - wrote: "Everywhere you looked people seemed exhausted, drained. I don't recall a game lasting so long.

"Keegan had slumped over the advertising hoardings in front of the visiting dugout when the fourth goal went in.

"Once more, his mood mirrored those following the club. Deflated. It was impossible not to be."

Incredibly, less than a week later at defending champions Blackburn Rovers, there was another huge blow to come - more tears were shed and more wounds inflicted on my psyche.

Given a late lead in another tense match live on Sky Sports through David Batty, Newcastle were set to close back to within three points of Manchester United with a game in hand.

But the Liverpool game loomed large in the haunted memories of the Magpies' defenders and, with four minutes left, Whitley Bay-born Newcastle fan Graham Fenton volleyed unmarked past Shaka Hislop to equalise.

Then, in the last minute, it got worse. On the break after a desperate Newcastle attack, Alan Shearer - in a two-versus-two - again found Fenton unmarked.

From the edge of the box, Fenton dinked the ball past the onrushing Hislop for a certain winner. It finished 2-1 at Ewood Park.

Strangely enough, after that game, Newcastle rallied somewhat - winning a trio of games 1-0 against Aston Villa, Southampton, and Leeds United.

Of course, the Leeds match infamously ended in Keegan's declaration that Newcastle were "still fighting for [the] title" and that he would "love it if we beat them [Manchester United]".

Mind games, it may have been from Alex Ferguson - but Keegan had been provoked into his rant by the Manchester United manager suggesting unfairly that Leeds and Nottingham Forest would not try as hard against the Magpies as his own side.

As it happened, Forest held Newcastle to a 1-1 draw at the City Ground in another evening game on the last Thursday of the season as Ian Woan cancelled out a Beardsley goal.

Nevertheless, Newcastle still went into the last day with a mathematical chance of the title. Keegan's men were two points behind Manchester United with an inferior goal difference so needed a win while the Red Devils lost.

Fate had already decided that it was not going to be Newcastle's year, however - and the Magpies could only manage a 1-1 draw at home to Tottenham Hotspur.

Manchester United, meanwhile, cruised to a 3-0 win over Middlesbrough who - ironically, given Ferguson's comments - did not seem to put up much of a fight. Boro, of course, were managed by former Old Trafford skipper Bryan Robson.

At the final whistle of the match against Spurs, I left the social club where I had watched the game on television with my uncle - full of Coca-Cola, full of disappointment.

I got home to my room, alone, and broke down in tears again. Yet, even then - as a 12-year-old - there was a certain pride felt in how close Newcastle had gone.

There was a realisation that Tyneside had been blessed with a very special team and a very special manager. Ferdinand, Beardsley, Lee, Asprilla, Ginola, Gillespie, Srníček, Beresford, Barton.

Keegan.

It is certainly not like that now. This weekend, Newcastle suffered another agonising stoppage time defeat - but, rather than Liverpool at Anfield, it was against Norwich City at Carrow Road - and, rather than to win the title, it was to retain any realistic hope of staying in the Premier League.

Indeed, to actually name any of the individuals currently involved with Newcastle United in the same breath as that team from 1995/96 would be a waste of oxygen.

So I won't bother with that self-defeating exercise.

Instead, I will just indulge in some more memories of 20 years ago, smile, and perhaps not feel so sad this time.

FA Cup Third Round features North London clash

THE FA CUP Third Round draw provided a clear tie of the round with Premier League leaders Arsenal taking on North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates.

This cracking match will be screened live by ITV on Saturday at 5.15pm with Arsene Wenger's Gunners going in search of a first trophy since 2005 when they won the Cup in Cardiff by beating Manchester United on penalties.

Spurs have to go back even further for their last FA Cup triumph. It came in 1991, and they even beat Arsenal 3-1 on the way in a fabulous Wembley semi, but they have not even made a single appearance in an FA Cup Final since.

Indeed, Arsenal have won both of the ties staged since then, both of which were also semi finals, in 1993 and 2001 - and Wenger's men will start favourites for this contest too.

Nevertheless, new Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood has made an encouraging start, taking 10 points out of 12 over the festive period - though, remarkably, his appointment means that Spurs have now had 11 permanent managers since Wenger arrived in England in October 1996.

Will the Frenchman deal Sherwood his first blow on Saturday? Whatever happens, it promises to be an thrilling new chapter in the long-standing North London rivalry, anyway.

In the other television matches, a trio top-half Championship sides host Premier League opponents as the broadcasters go in search of an upset.

Blackburn Rovers host 2011 Cup winners Manchester City in the early Saturday match at 12.45pm on BT, while fourth-placed Derby County take on seven-time winners Chelsea at 2.15pm on Sunday, also on BT.

But it is the Rams' big East Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest who probably have the biggest chance of making the headlines.

Forest take on struggling West Ham United at midday on Sunday, in a match to be shown live on ITV - and so perilous is the Hammers' position in the Premier League that manager Sam Allardyce has said he is going to abandon the cups, including the League Cup semi final next week.

If excitement beckons at the City Ground then, very few neutral observers will understand quite why Manchester United v Swansea was one of the ties picked for the telly - other than the obvious waffle about attracting viewing figures and advertisers.

Incredibly, the decision by BT now makes it 42 consecutive FA Cup matches on the box for the Red Devils.

And, on this occasion, it also means there is no room on the television for the three remaining non-league teams, each of whom will be representing the Conference Premier.

In fairness to the television executives, none of those sides - Kidderminster Harriers, Macclesfield Town and Grimsby Town - exactly drew a plum tie, unfortunately.

Nevertheless, with all of them being drawn at home, all three will fancy their chances of causing an upset and progressing even further.

Also, if anything, the traditional Saturday 3pm kick-offs should ensure a raucous winter afternoon atmosphere at Aggborough, Moss Rose, and by the sea at Blundell Park.

Peterborough United, Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield Town, respectively, will therefore have to be on their guard.

At the other end of the scale, outside of the television games, there are three other all-Premier League ties, featuring several clubs for whom a Cup run would be an ideal distraction from their struggles in the top flight.

Managerless West Bromwich Albion take on Tony Pulis's Crystal Palace at the Hawthorns while Norwich City welcome Fulham to Carrow Road.

The match to pique the most interest, though, is surely Cardiff City's visit to St James Park to take on Newcastle United under newly-appointed manager Ole Gunnar Solksjaer.

Bluebirds fans will be hoping the Norwegian ends weeks of turmoil under unpredictable Malaysian owner Vincent Tan by upsetting the odds against the Magpies.

It should be a tough ask, however. Newcastle, who have no concerns about this year about their own Premier League place, are due a decent FA Cup run, having not played outside of January in the competition since 2006.

Recent defeats have even come against the likes of Stevenage and Brighton & Hove Albion (twice), and it is high time that manager Alan Pardew improved on this particular record.

Tyne-Wear rivals Sunderland were also drawn at home, and hence play on Sunday at 2pm against Carlisle United.

The Cumbrians, who will be hopeful of an upset against the Premier League's bottom club, travel the relatively short distance of 70miles eastwards along the A69.

Meanwhile, the third North East club Middlesbrough have also got a home tie against a fairly nearby club in Hull City who will travel 112 miles up the coast.

For anyone seeking a spicy local match elsewhere, look no further than Rochdale v Leeds United at Spotland.

Only 33 miles separate the two clubs and this promises to be an exciting War of the Roses fight, and one in which Leeds boss Brian McDermott will have to be wary.

In the Midlands, Stoke City host Championship leaders Leicester City from just 63 miles away, with neither side able to boast about having won the competition.

The Potters were recent runners-up to Man City in 2011 while Leicester hold the unenviable record of the most finals appearances, four, without having ever succeeded.

Finally, in Lancashire, two clubs from the Championship - Bolton Wanderers and Blackpool - will stage a repeat of one of the most famous Wembley matches of all time.

In 1953, the Seasiders beat the Trotters 4-3 in what has been christened the Matthews Final, after Sir Stanley Matthews, whose exhilarating wing play prompted a comeback from 3-1 down.

Notably, it also remains the only Wembley FA Cup Final to feature a hat-trick, scored by Blackpool's Stan Mortensen with the winner coming from Bill Perry in stoppage time.

Another few ties like that this weekend will ensure the magic of the Cup keeps on bubbling for some time yet, regardless of what miserable Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert believes.

A full run-down of the Third Round fixtures can be found below:

FA CUP THIRD ROUND

Saturday 4 Jan
17:15 (ITV)	ARSENAL	2-0	TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
15:00	ASTON VILLA	1-2	SHEFFIELD UNITED
15:00	BARNSLEY	1-2	COVENTRY CITY
12:45 (BT)	BLACKBURN ROVERS	1-1	MANCHESTER CITY
15:00	BOLTON WANDERERS	2-1	BLACKPOOL
-	BOURNEMOUTH	P-P	BURTON ALBION
15:00	BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION	1-0	READING
15:00	BRISTOL CITY	1-1	WATFORD
-	CHARLTON ATHLETIC	P-P	OXFORD UNITED
15:00	DONCASTER ROVERS	2-3	STEVENAGE
15:00	EVERTON	4-0	QUEENS PARK RANGERS
15:00	GRIMSBY TOWN	2-3	HUDDERSFIELD TOWN
15:00	IPSWICH TOWN	1-1	PRESTON NORTH END
15:00	KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS	0-0	PETERBOROUGH UNITED
15:00	MACCLESFIELD TOWN	1-1	SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
15:00	MIDDLESBROUGH	0-2	HULL CITY
15:00	NEWCASTLE UNITED	1-2	CARDIFF CITY
15:00	NORWICH CITY	1-1	FULHAM
15:00	ROCHDALE	2-0	LEEDS UNITED
15:00	SOUTHAMPTON	4-3	BURNLEY
15:00	SOUTHEND UNITED	4-1	MILLWALL
15:00	STOKE CITY	2-1	LEICESTER CITY
15:00	WEST BROMWICH ALBION	0-2	CRYSTAL PALACE
15:00	WIGAN ATHLETIC	3-3	MILTON KEYNES DONS
15:00	YEOVIL TOWN	4-0	LEYTON ORIENT
Sunday 5 Jan
14:15 (BT)	DERBY COUNTY	0-2	CHELSEA
15:00	LIVERPOOL	2-0	OLDHAM ATHLETIC
16:30 (BT)	MANCHESTER UNITED	1-2	SWANSEA CITY
12:00 (ITV)	NOTTINGHAM FOREST	5-0	WEST HAM UNITED
15:00	PORT VALE	2-2	PLYMOUTH ARGYLE
14:00	SUNDERLAND	3-1	CARLISLE UNITED
Tuesday 14 Jan
19:45	BOURNEMOUTH	4-1	BURTON ALBION
19:45	BIRMINGHAM CITY	3-0	BRISTOL ROVERS
19:45	CHARLTON ATHLETIC	2-2	OXFORD UNITED
REPLAYS
Tuesday 14 Jan
19:45 (BT)	FULHAM	3-0	NORWICH CITY
20:10 (ITV)	MANCHESTER CITY	5-0	BLACKBURN ROVERS	15 Jan
19:45	MILTON KEYNES DONS	1-3	WIGAN ATHLETIC	AET
19:45	PETERBOROUGH UNITED	2-3	KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS
19:45	PLYMOUTH ARGYLE	2-3	PORT VALE
19:45	PRESTON NORTH END	3-2	IPSWICH TOWN
19:45	SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY	4-1	MACCLESFIELD TOWN
19:45	WATFORD	2-0	BRISTOL CITY
Tuesday 21 Jan
19:45	OXFORD UNITED	0-3	CHARLTON ATHLETIC

FA CUP FOURTH ROUND

Friday 24 Jan
19:45 (BT)	ARSENAL	4-0	COVENTRY CITY
20:00	NOTTINGHAM FOREST	0-0	PRESTON NORTH END
Saturday 25 Jan
15:00	BIRMINGHAM CITY	1-2	SWANSEA CITY
15:00	BOLTON WANDERERS	0-1	CARDIFF CITY
12:45 (ITV)	BOURNEMOUTH	0-2	LIVERPOOL
15:00	HUDDERSFIELD TOWN	0-1	CHARLTON ATHLETIC
15:00	MANCHESTER CITY	4-2	WATFORD
15:00	PORT VALE	1-3	BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
15:00	ROCHDALE	1-2	SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
15:00	SOUTHAMPTON	2-0	YEOVIL TOWN
15:00	SOUTHEND UNITED	0-2	HULL CITY
17:30 (BT)	STEVENAGE	0-4	EVERTON
15:00	SUNDERLAND	1-0	KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS
15:00	WIGAN ATHLETIC	2-1	CRYSTAL PALACE
Sunday 26 Jan
13:00 (BT)	SHEFFIELD UNITED	1-1	FULHAM
15:30 (ITV)	CHELSEA	1-0	STOKE CITY

Fifth Round Draw Ties to be played 15-16 February
Manchester City v Chelsea
Sheffield United or Fulham v Nottingham Forest or Preston North End
Arsenal v Liverpool
Brighton & Hove Albion v Hull City
Cardiff City v Wigan Athletic
Sheffield Wednesday v Charlton Athletic
Sunderland v Southampton
Everton v Swansea City

The Championship 2012/13

BARNSLEY
The Tykes - Oakwell, Grove Street, Barnsley, S71 1ET. Capacity 23,009
Last season: 21st, FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 1st round
Most recent top flight season: 1997-98
Manager: Keith Hill (since June 2011)
Players In: Ben Alnwick, Mido, Jacob Mellis, Kelvin Etuhu, Lee Collins, Toni Silva
Players Out: Jacob Butterfield, Jay McEveley, David Cotterill
Pre-season form:
17.07 v Alfreton (A) W2-1
21.07 v Rotherham United (A) L1-2
28.07 v West Bromwich Albion (H) D0-0
04.08 v Doncaster Rovers (A) D2-2
07.08 v Crewe Alexandra (A) L0-1
11.08 v Rochdale (A) W4-3 aet [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 20th
Barnsley's fourth-bottom finishing position belied the comfort with which they achieved safety last season - the Tykes were eight points clear of a stranded bottom three, helped of course by Portsmouth's 10-point deduction. But Barnsley flirted with the playoff places before Christmas and the second half of the season still came as a disappointment for Keith Hill whose primary aim will still be collecting around 50 points again this time.

BIRMINGHAM CITY
The Blues - St Andrews, Birmingham, B9 4RL. Capacity 30,009
Last season: 4th (lost playoff semi final to Blackpool), FA Cup 5th round, League Cup 3rd round, Europa League Group stage
Most recent top flight season: 2010-11
Manager: Lee Clark (since June 2012)
Players In: Peter Lovenkrands, Darren Ambrose, David Lucas, Hayden Mullins
Players Out: Jordon Mutch, Ben Foster
Pre-season form:
21.07 v Borussia Moenchengladbach (A) D2-2
24.07 v Shrewsbury Town (A) W2-1
28.07 v Cheltenham Town (A) L0-1
31.07 v Bury (A) W5-1
04.08 v Plymouth Argyle (A) W5-0
11.08 v Royal Antwerp (H) L1-3
14.08 v Barnet (H) W5-1 [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 2nd
Chris Hughton restored some soul to St Andrews last season with a more attacking approach than his predecessor Alex McLeish and just one home league defeat all season. However, such were Birmingham's finances that Hughton felt compelled to take his chance in the top flight with Norwich, leaving Lee Clark to pick up the pieces. But, despite the poor off-field situation, the former Huddersfield boss cannot complain too much at a squad which includes the likes of Marlon King, Peter Lovenkrands, Darren Ambrose, and youngster Nathan Redmond.

BLACKBURN ROVERS
Rovers - Ewood Park, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB2 4JF. Capacity 31,154
Last season: 19th (relegated from Premier League), FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup Quarter finals
Most recent top flight season: 2011-12
Manager: Steve Kean (since December 2010)
Players In: Colin Kazim-Richards, Dickson Etuhu, Fabio Nunes, Nuno Gomes, Leon Best, Danny Murphy, Paulo Jorge
Players Out: Nick Blackman, Matthew Pearson, David Hoilett, Aiyegbeni Yakubu, Herold Goulon, Vince Grella, Michel Salgado
Pre-season form:
21.07 v Fleetwood Town (N) W2-0
21.07 v Accrington Stanley (A) L0-1
25.07 v Rochdale (A) L0-1
29.07 v AEK Athens (A) W2-1
03.08 v Go Ahead Eagles (A) L2-4
05.08 v NEC (A) D0-0
12.08 v Cork City (A) W3-1
Prediction: 6th
Steve Kean has been given just three games to save his job going into the new season in the latest crass measure by the Venkys owners. Yes, if last season's car crash of a relegation was not enough, the Scot - who has a measly 25% win ratio - now goes into the season under more pressure than ever. Frankly, it is hard to see him beating the odds this time but, with Rovers fans having just about unanimously given up on Kean, perhaps the only way that the club can thrive again is without him. Yakubu and David 'Junior' Hoilett may have left Ewood Park but the likes of Leon Best and Danny Murphy should be at ease in this division and Rovers should still be thereabouts at the end of the season. It is likely, though, that they will be without their bête noire Kean, come next May.

BLACKPOOL 
The Seasiders - Bloomfield Road, Seasiders Way, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 6JJ. Capacity 17,338
Last season: 5th (lost playoff final to West Ham United), FA Cup 5th round, League Cup 1st round
Most recent top flight season: 2010-11
Manager: Ian Holloway (since May 2009)
Players In: Jake Caprice, Isaiah Osbourne, Tiago Gomes, Scott Robertson
Players Out: Keith Southern
Pre-season form:
28.07 v Wrexham (A) W2-1
04.08 v Hyde (A) D1-1
05.08 v Everton (H) W2-0
07.08 v Swansea City (A) L2-4
12.08 v Morecambe (H) L1-2 [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 4th
Blackpool were just 90 minutes away from an immediate return to the Premier League but the Tangerine dream died at Wembley after a late West Ham winner. Nevertheless, Ian Holloway could be satisfied that his squad suffered no real hangover from relegation - and with the sprightly youth of Matt Phillips and Tom Ince ably assisting 39-year-old Kevin Phillips - the Fylde Coast club should see another playoff push this time around. Indeed, the Tangerines would be in a position to push even higher if it weren't for their leaky defence.

BOLTON WANDERERS
The Trotters - Reebok Stadium, Burnden Way, Horwich Way, Bolton, BL6 6JW. Capacity 28,723
Last season: 18th (relegated from Premier League), FA Cup Quarter finals, League Cup 4th round
Most recent top flight season: 2011-12
Manager: Owen Coyle (since January 2010)
Players In: Matt Mills, Keith Andrews, Joe McKee, Andy Lonergan, Benik Afobe
Players Out: Mark Connolly, Jussi Jaaskelainen, Robbie Blake, Ricardo Gardner, Sean Davis, Paul Robinson, Ivan Klasnic, Nigel Reo-Coker
Pre-season form:
18.07 v Ayr United (A) D1-1
21.07 v Hamilton Academicals (A) L0-2
25.07 v Falkirk (A) D1-1
28.07 v Crewe Alexandra (A) D1-1
01.08 v Morecambe (A) W2-0
04.08 v Portsmouth (A) L0-3
07.08 v Tranmere Rovers (A) W3-1
10.08 v Barcelona B (H) D2-2
Prediction: Champions
While Blackburn's demise was entirely predictable, the relegation of near neighbours Bolton Wanderers was rather less foreseen. In fairness to Owen Coyle, the Trotters were a tad unlucky with the loss of vital midfielders Stuart Holden and Lee Chung-Yong to season-long injuries but the club was also foolish in its failure to replace outgoing forwards Johan Elmander and Daniel Sturridge. Holden and Lee are back from their year of torment now and, if the signing of Matt Mills from Leicester can shore up a porous backline, Coyle and Bolton should be able to restore their damaged reputations.

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 
The Seagulls - The Amex Community Stadium, Village Way, Falmer, East Sussex, BN1 9BL. Capacity 22,374
Last season: 10th, FA Cup 5th round, League Cup 3rd round
Most recent top flight season: 1982-83
Manager: Gus Poyet (since November 2009)
Players In: Andrew Crofts, Tomasz Kuszczak, Bruno Saltor, Wayne Bridge
Players Out: Alan Navarro, Michael Poke, Jake Forster-Caskey, Yaser Kasim, David Gonzalez, Tommy Elphick
Pre-season form:
14.07 v Maidstone United (A) W5-0
17.07 v Lewes (A) W3-0
20.07 v Dorchester Town (A) W3-0
21.07 v Hastings United (A) L2-3
24.07 v Portsmouth (N) W5-1
28.07 v Cordobo (A) D0-0
04.08 v Chelsea (H) W3-1
07.08 v Reading (H) D1-1
14.08 v Swindon Town (A) L0-3 [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 11th
Brighton continued their upwardly mobile projection last season with a solid 10th-place finish in the Championship. An excellent start at their new stadium in Falmer left Seagulls fans dreaming of a return to the top flight after 30 years of absence but that was not to be following a mid-season slump and a failure to win any of the last eight games. However, between January and March, Poyet's men lost just once in the league, and there could be no doubt that Brighton looked as if they belonged at this level. Can they make the next step up? Probably not, unfortunately - there will always be bigger clubs than Brighton in this division and a similar topsy-turvy season on the south coast awaits.

BRISTOL CITY 
The Robins - Ashton Gate, Ashton Road, Bristol, BS3 2EJ. Capacity 21,497
Last season: 20th, FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 1st round
Most recent top flight season: 1979-80
Manager: Derek McInnes (since October 2011)
Players In: Greg Cunningham, Jody Morris, Paul Anderson, Tom Heaton
Players Out: Christian Ribeiro, Jamal Campbell-Ryce, David James
Pre-season form:
28.07 v St Johnstone (A) L1-2
30.07 v Kilmarnock (A) W3-2
01.08 v Dunfermline Athletic (A) W2-0
04.08 v Bristol Rovers (H) W3-0
07.08 v Southampton (H) D1-1
11.08 v Bournemouth (A) W2-0
14.08 v Gillingham (H) L1-2 [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 24th
The last couple of seasons at Ashton Gate have not made for easy viewing for Bristol City supporters. Nine home league defeats in 2010-11 were followed up by 10 in the last campaign as the Robins spent almost all season in the bottom four. Fifth-bottom was ultimately where they would end up, thanks in part to a late unbeaten run of seven matches but also because of the 10-point deduction for Portsmouth. City's main problem was a lack of goals - their top scorer in the league was Nicky Maynard with eight, and he left in January. It still remains a problem now so it hard to be optimistic about the Robins' chances of avoiding the drop again this time.

BURNLEY 
The Clarets - Turf Moor, Harry Potts Way, Burnley, Lancashire, BB10 4BX. Capacity 22,546
Last season: 13th, FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 4th round
Most recent top flight season: 2009-10
Manager: Eddie Howe (since January 2011)
Players In: Luke O'Neill, George Porter, Jason Shackell, Joseph Mills, Sam Vokes, Brian Stock
Players Out: Jay Rodriguez, Zavon Hines, Tom Anderson, Joe Jackson, Brian Easton, Clarke Carlisle, Andre Amougou, Ross Wilson, Dave Lynch, Dominic Knowles, Alex-Ray Harvey
Pre-season form:
21.07 v Altrincham (A) W4-1
24.07 v Bury (A) W1-0
28.07 v Alfreton (A) W3-0
31.07 v Bath City (A) W3-1
04.08 v Cheltenham Town (A) W4-0
07.08 v Rochdale (A) L1-3
14.08 v Port Vale (A) W3-1 [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 16th
Burnley lurched from the sublime to the ridiculous last season as a result of some pretty wretched home form at Turf Moor against some impressive performances on the road. No surprise then that Eddie Howe's men finished right in the middle of the table, 13 points off the playoffs - and there was also no surprise that such an outcome was not enough to convince 15-goal Jay Rodriguez to stay. The youngster has instead moved to Southampton for £7m and Howe will at least hope to reinvest some of that money so that he can build a side around the impressive Charlie Austin instead. There is a lot of pressure on the 23-year-old's shoulders now.

CARDIFF CITY 
The Bluebirds - Cardiff City Stadium, Leckwith Road, Cardiff, CF11 8AZ. Capacity 26,828
Last season: 6th (lost playoff semi final to West Ham United), FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup Runners-up
Most recent top flight season: 1961-62
Manager: Malky Mackay (since June 2011)
Players In: Craig Bellamy, Jordon Mutch, Filip Kiss, Joe Lewis, Etien Velikonja, Kim Bo-Kyung, Heidar Helgusson
Players Out: Jon Parkin, Tom Heaton, Anthony Gerrard
Pre-season form:
28.07 v Forest Green Rovers (A) L0-1
31.07 v Cheltenham Town (A) W4-0
04.08 v Oxford United W2-1
07.08 v Bournemouth (A) W2-1
11.08 v Newcastle United (H) W4-1
14.08 v Northampton Town (A) L1-2 [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 3rd
Cardiff coped really well last season after a tumultuous summer of 2011 which saw the loss of manager Dave Jones and key forwards Jay Bothroyd, Michael Chopra and Craig Bellamy. The Bluebirds reached the playoffs and pushed Liverpool all the way in the League Cup final before defeat on penalties in a solid first season under the wily Malky Mackay. Bellamy is now back in the Welsh capital on a permanent basis, despite showing for Team GB this summer that he can clearly still cut it at the top level. Of course, his real hope is that he will return to the Premier League with his hometown club - and, certainly, Cardiff's chances have got all the better with his arrival. 

CHARLTON ATHLETIC 
The Addicks - The Valley, Floyd Road, Charlton, London, SE7 8BL. Capacity 27,111
Last season: Winners (promoted from League One), FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 2nd round
Most recent top flight season: 2006-07
Manager: Chris Powell (since January 2011)
Players In: Lawrie Wilson, Jordan Cook, Salim Kerkar
Players Out: Conor Gough, Gary Doherty, Mikel Alonso, Freddie Warren, Tosan Popo, Jason Euell
Pre-season form:
14.07 v Welling United (A) W4-0
19.07 v Sporting Libson (N) W1-0
26.07 v Barnet (A) W4-1
01.08 v Crawley Town (A) W1-0
04.08 v Gillingham (A) L0-1
08.08 v Southend United (H) W3-2
11.08 v Fulham (A) W2-1
14.08 v Leyton Orient (H) D1-1 (lost 3-4 on pens) [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 10th
Charlton Athletic ended three seasons at the third level with a glorious championship-winning campaign which finished with the Addicks breaching the 100-point mark. Manager Chris Powell can take a lot of credit for re-energising the south Londoners following a five-year decline after he brought in no fewer than 18 new players last summer. By contrast, this coming campaign at the Valley will be more about consolodation, and the likes of scoring midfielders Johnnie Jackson and Bradley Wright-Phillips should ensure that this target is well within their grasp.

CRYSTAL PALACE
The Eagles - Selhurst Park, South Norwood, London, SE25 6PU. Capacity 26,309
Last season: 17th, FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup Semi finals
Most recent top flight season: 2004-05
Manager: Dougie Freedman (since January 2011)
Players In: Joel Ward, Aaron Wilbraham, Peter Ramage, Aaron Martin
Players Out: Sean Scannell, Darren Ambrose, Nathaniel Clyne, Antonio Pedroza, Anthony Gardner, Jake Caprice, Lee Hills, Charlie Holness, Nathaniel Pinney, Calvin Andrew, Kieron Cadogan
Pre-season form:
20.07 v Lewes (A) W5-1
24.07 v Dulwich Hamlet (A) W3-0
28.07 v Aldershot Town (A) W2-0
04.08 v Welling United (A) L1-2
08.08 v Swindon Town (A) W1-0
11.08 v Reading (A) L0-2
14.08 v Exeter City (A) W2-1 [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 19th
Following a couple of years which included administration, points deductions and final day survival missions, last season was a rather quieter affair for Crystal Palace. The Eagles may have finished down in 17th as a consequence of a late-season slump but they were never really in any real danger of falling through the Championship trapdoor. Young manager Dougie Freedman even had time to fit in a run to the League Cup semi finals and his impressive tenure should continue this term with Palace far away enough from the drop. The departures of Darren Ambrose and Nathaniel Clyne will be felt but not too much if Wilfried Zaha continues his progress after his breakthrough season last year.

DERBY COUNTY
The Rams - Pride Park Stadium, Pride Park, Derby, DE24 8XL. Capacity 33,597
Last season: 12th, FA Cup 4th round, League Cup 1st round
Most recent top flight season: 2007-08
Manager: Nigel Clough (since January 2009)
Players In: Michael Jacobs, Paul Coutts, Richard Keogh, Michael Hoganson
Players Out: Jason Shackell, Paul Green, Chris Maguire, Miles Addison
Pre-season form:
25.07 v Mansfield Town (A) L1-2
28.07 v Burton Albion (A) W1-0
31.07 v Northampton Town (A) W4-3
03.08 v Colchester United (A) D2-2
08.08 v Sunderland (H) D1-1
11.08 v Chesterfield (A) L1-3
14.08 v Scunthorpe United (H) D5-5 (lost 6-7 on pens) [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 21st
The prevailing feeling is that if Derby were managed by a Smith or a Jones rather than a Clough, then there would have been a change at the top by now. Perhaps that is a little harsh - last season's 12th place was the best that the Rams have done since their humiliating Premier League relegation in 2007-08 - but, despite more big attendances at Pride Park, they are unlikely to better it this time around.
 
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN
The Terriers - John Smith's Stadium, Stadium Way, Huddersfield, HD1 6PG. Capacity 24,500
Last season: 4th (promoted from League One via playoffs), FA Cup 1st round, League Cup 2nd round
Most recent top flight season: 1971-72
Manager: Simon Grayson (since February 2012)
Players In: Sean Scannell, Paul Dixon, Oliver Norwood, Adam Clayton, Joel Lynch, Keith Southern, Anthony Gerrard
Players Out: Jamie McCombe, Anthony Kay, Gary Naismith, Nathan Clarke, Aiden Chippendale, Tommy Miller, Danny Cadamarteri, Gary Roberts, Joey Gudjonsson and Kallum Higginbotham
Pre-season form:
21.07 v Guiseley (A) L0-1
25.07 v Kilmarnock (A) D1-1
28.07 v Hibernian (A) D2-2
01.08 v Crewe Alexandra (A) L0-1
04.08 v Oldham Athletic (A) D0-0
07.08 v Chesterfield (A) W3-0
08.08 v Barcelona B (H) L0-2
13.08 v Preston North End (A) L0-2 [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 23rd
Huddersfield finally did it! After two playoff bids which had faltered at the semi final stage under Lee Clark, the Terriers made their experience count at the third time of asking, beating Sheffield United on penalties under former Leeds boss Simon Grayson. But, while promotion was long-awaited and richly-deserved, the more sobering news for the west Yorkshire club is that the hard work starts now. Despite years of preparation, staying in the second flight will still be an arduous journey, made even rockier if hot-shot Jordan Rhodes ends up agreeing terms with an array of potential suitors. The Terriers are more than a one-man team but Rhodes' goals have been vital in covering for a somewhat leaky defence and Huddersfield's survival chances could ultimately depend on him. 

HULL CITY 
The Tigers - Kingston Communications Stadium, Walton Street, Hull, HU3 6HU. Capacity 25,586
Last season: 8th, FA Cup 4th round, League Cup 1st round
Most recent top flight season: 2009-10
Manager: Steve Bruce (since June 2012)
Players In: Ben Amos, Eldin Jakupovic, Nick Proschwitz, Abdoulaye Faye, Sone Aluko, Alex Bruce
Players Out: Kevin Kilbane, Richard Garcia
Pre-season form:
16.07 v North Ferriby United (A) W3-1
17.07 v Winterton Rangers (A) W5-0
20.07 v Grimsby Town (A) D0-0
28.07 v Rochdale (A) W1-0
31.07 v Doncaster Rovers (A) L1-3
04.08 v Hartlepool United (A) D1-1
07.08 v Norwich City (H) D0-0
11.08 v Rotherham United (H) D1-1 (won 7-6 on pens) [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 9th
Nick Barmby seemed to be doing well at Hull City last season with Tigers regularly stalking the playoff places. However, while the defence worked well, a desperate lack of goals meant Hull fell short of the top six. Only 47 goals were scored from their 46 league games, the fifth-worst in the division and, when Barmby subsequently made comments about the club's finances, his employers were not shy in giving him short shrift. In has come Steve Bruce, desperate to restore his reputation after his sacking by Sunderland. But, while Bruce has some pedigree at this level after two promotions with Birmingham City, the attacking problems remain. 

IPSWICH TOWN 
The Blues - Portman Road, Ipswich, IP1 2DA. Capacity 30,311
Last season: 15th, FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 1st round
Most recent top flight season: 2001-02
Manager: Paul Jewell (since January 2011)
Players In: Luke Chambers, Elliott Hewitt, Scott Loach, Massimo Luongo
Players Out: Grant Leadbitter, Jimmy Bullard
Pre-season form:
17.07 v Helmond Sport (A) D1-1
19.07 v Den Bosch (A) D1-1
25.07 v Cambridge United (A) W2-0
28.07 v Luton Town (A) L0-2
31.07 v Southend United (A) L1-2
04.08 v West Ham United (H) W3-1
08.08 v Colchester United (A) W2-1
14.08 v Bristol Rovers (H) W3-1 [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 15th
Of all 24 clubs playing in the Championship this season, Ipswich Town have been at this level the longest. Four managers have tried and failed to take the Portman Road club back up over the past decade with Paul Jewell as the latest. The Scouser enjoyed promotions from this division with Bradford City and Wigan Athletic in the past but his first full season finished with Town down in 15th and it would be foolish to expect any more from an average-looking squad this time around.

LEEDS UNITED 
The Whites - Elland Road, Leeds, LS11 0ES. Capacity 37,697
Last season: 14th, FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 3rd round
Most recent top flight season: 2003-04
Manager: Neil Warnock (since February 2012)
Players In: Jason Pearce, Adam Drury, Paul Green, Paddy Kenny, Andy Gray, Jamie Ashdown, Luke Varney, David Norris, Rodolph Austin, Lee Peltier, El-Hadji Diouf
Players Out: Alex Bruce, Lloyd Sam, Mikael Forssell, Danny Webber, Maik Taylor, Adam Clayton, Andy Lonergan, Robert Snodgrass, Andy O'Brien, Billy Paynter
Pre-season form:
20.07 v Farsley (A) W5-2
23.07 v Tavistock (A) W6-0
25.07 v Bodmin Town (A) W4-0
27.07 v Torquay United (A) W2-1
01.08 v Sandefjord (A) D1-1
04.08 v Preston North End (A) W3-1
07.08 v Burton Albion (A) W1-0
11.08 v Shrewsbury Town (H) W4-0 [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 13th
Experienced promotion campaigner Neil Warnock was not exactly a surprising choice for Leeds after everything went wrong last season but the Yorkshireman may have bitten off more than he can manage at Elland Road. Certainly, anyone expecting a promotion challenge from the Whites needs a reality check after last season ended with a bottom-half finish and the club's worst home record in its history. The loss of Robert Snodgrass to Norwich will be keenly felt and puts even more pressure on the admittedly impressive Ross McCormack. Ultimately, Warnock will need more than one season to turn this ship around.

LEICESTER CITY 
The Foxes - King Power Stadium, Filbert Way, Leicester, LE2 7FL. Capacity 32,262
Last season: 9th, FA Cup Quarter finals, League Cup 3rd round
Most recent top flight season: 2003-04
Manager: Nigel Pearson (since November 2011)
Players In: Jamie Vardy, Matty James, Richie De Laet, Anthony Knockaert, Zak Whitbread, Marko Futacs
Players Out: Lee Peltier, Steve Howard, Chris Weale, Matt Mills, Sol Bamba, Darius Vassell, Franck Moussa, John Pantsil
Pre-season form:
24.07 v Hinckley United (A) W4-1
28.07 v Shrewsbury Town (A) L0-2
01.08 v Burton Albion (A) W3-1
07.08 v Nuneaton Town (A) W3-1
11.08 v Sunderland (H) W1-0
14.08 v Torquay United (A) W4-0 [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 5th
Last season, Leicester City were expected to march up the division but the Sven-Goran Eriksson reign always looked like it might end in tears. The Swede paid for a terribly inconsistent start and in came former boss Nigel Pearson who eventually oversaw the Foxes' first back-to-back league wins of the season at the start of March. It was too little too late for Leicester, who finished in ninth, but Pearson has reduced the average age of the squad over the summer and expectations will be high again at the King Power Stadium.

MIDDLESBROUGH 
Boro - Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, TS3 6RS. Capacity 34,988
Last season: 7th, FA Cup 4th round, League Cup 3rd round
Most recent top flight season: 2008-09
Manager: Tony Mowbray (since October 2010)
Players In: Mustapha Carayol, Jayson Leutwiler, George Friend, Jonathan Woodgate, Grant Leadbitter, Emmanuel Ledesma
Players Out: Tony McMahon, Jonathan Grounds, Jon Franks, Barry Robson, Matthew Bates
Pre-season form:
22.07 v Falkirk (A) W7-3
27.07 v Tottenham Hotspur XI (N) W5-0
31.07 v Hartlepool United (A) D2-2
03.08 v Carlisle United (A) W2-1
04.08 v York City (A) W2-1
08.08 v Scunthorpe United (A) L2-3
11.08 v Bury (A) W2-1 [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 14th
Middlesbrough made an excellent start to the 2011-12 season, taking 21 points by mid-October after going unbeaten for the first 11 games. But the longer campaign went on, the tougher it got for the Boro who won only six league games after Christmas to fall short even of the playoffs. As such, the feeling is that the Teessiders may have missed the boat and their sojourn in the Championship, already entering its fourth season, shows no sign of coming to an end. Despite this, club legend Tony Mowbray should have no problem retaining the support of the fans who appreciate the limitations of his young squad.

MILLWALL 
The Lions - The Den, Zampa Road, Bermondsey, London, SE16 3LN . Capacity 20,146
Last season: 16th, FA Cup 5th round, League Cup 3rd round
Most recent top flight season: 1989-1990
Manager: Kenny Jackett (since November 2007)
Players In: Maik Taylor, Scott Malone, Chris Taylor, Karleigh Osborne
Players Out: Chris Hackett, Josh McQuoid, Hameur Bouazza, Jordan Stewart, Tony Craig
Pre-season form:
16.07 v Shelbourne (A) D0-0
18.07 v Longford Town (A) W4-1
21.07 v Glenavon (A) W3-0
28.07 v Crawley Town (A) L0-1
04.08 v Exeter City (A) W3-2
07.08 v Southend United (A) W2-1
14.08 v Crawley Town (H) D2-2 (lost 1-4 on pens) [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 18th
After the first 12 games in the Championship last year, it looked as if the departure of Steve Morison to Norwich City had wounded the Lions fatally. Millwall had won just once and were stuck in the bottom three - but then came three successive wins to raise spirits at the Den. Although form then remained terribly inconsistent until April, Kenny Jackett's men finished their second successive season with a flourish, taking 16 points from their last six games to finish nearer the middle than the bottom. A repeat of that outcome, but without the eight-month relegation worry, would do just fine.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST 
The Reds - City Ground, Nottingham, NG2 5FJ. Capacity 30,603
Last season: 19th, FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 3rd round
Most recent top flight season: 1998-99
Manager: Sean O'Driscoll (since July 2012)
Players In: Adlene Guedioura, Danny Collins, Greg Halford, Dan Harding, Simon Gillett, Daniel Ayala
Players Out: Luke Chambers, Gareth McCleary, Paul Anderson, Marlon Harewood, Joel Lynch
Pre-season form:
28.07 v Mansfield Town (A) L1-2
04.08 v Aston Villa (H) W3-1
07.08 v Notts County (A) D2-2
10.08 v West Bromwich Albion (H) L0-2
13.08 v Fleetwood Town (A) W1-0 [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 7th
It has been a rather dramatic 12 months at the City Ground, starting from last summer when the Steve McClaren reign predictably failed to get off the ground. McClaren's slow start left Forest at the wrong end of the table and matters were little improved by his successor Steve Cotterill. The Tricky Trees enjoyed just one league victory in 13 matches between November and February, and there was more bad news when former club owner Nigel Doughty died suddenly. However, an upturn in fortunes in the last third of the season was followed by a change of ownership in the summer as Kuwaiti tycoon Fawaz Al-Hasawi put the east Midlanders in the money. A big name manager was subsequently promised but, instead, in has come Sean O'Driscoll. But, what the former Doncaster boss lacks in terms of a name, he makes up with an impressive CV. Hopefully, for O'Driscoll's sake, the Al-Hasawis will be happy enough with a steady improvement for now.

PETERBOROUGH UNITED 
The Posh - London Road, Peterborough, PE2 8AL. Capacity 15,314
Last season: 18th, FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 2nd round
Most recent top flight season: N/A
Manager: Darren Ferguson (since January 2011)
Players In: Michael Bostwick, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Bobby Olejnik, Danny Swanson, Shaun Brisley, Tyrone Barnett, Jonson Clarke-Harris
Players Out: Joe Lewis
Pre-season form:
21.07 v Crawley Town (A) W1-0
24.07 v St Neots Town (A) W6-0
28.07 v Norwich City (H) L0-2
01.08 v Aston Villa (H) L0-2
04.08 v Stevenage (A) D1-1
10.08 v Manchester United XI (H) W2-0
14.08 v Southend United (H) W4-0 [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 22nd
Peterborough gave a much better account of themselves last season than in 2009-10 when they finished rock-bottom of the division. As usual, though, the philosophy was very much based upon their attacking approach as the defence conceded 77 goals, the second highest in the division after Doncaster Rovers. It remains to be seen if the Posh forwards can continue to make up for such an obvious deficiency, harder still considering the sparse resources at London Road.

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 
The Owls - Hillsborough Stadium, Owlerton, Sheffield, S6 1SW. Capacity 39,732
Last season: Runners-up (promoted from League One), FA Cup 4th round, League Cup 2nd round
Most recent top flight season: 1999-2000
Manager: Dave Jones (since March 2012)
Players In: Anthony Gardner, Chris Maguire, Joe Matlock, Kieran Lee, Chris Kirkland, Diogo Amado, Nejc Pecnik, Rhys McCabe, Michail Antonio
Players Out: Jon Ostemobor, Clinton Morrison, Rob Jones, Ryan Lowe
Pre-season form:
10.07 v Dinnington Town (A) W4-1
17.07 v Sheffield FC (A) D1-1
17.07 v Stocksbridge Park Steels (A) W4-0
22.07 v Sporting Lisbon (A) L0-2
24.07 v Reading (A) W2-0
28.07 v Doncaster Rovers (A) D0-0
04.08 v West Bromwich Albion (H) D1-1
08.08 v Kilmarnock (A) W4-1
13.08 v Oldham Athletic (A) W4-2 [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 8th
Wednesday won perhaps the sweetest promotion, pipping neighbours Sheffield United by beating Wycombe Wanderers on the final day. More than 37,000 turned up at Hillsborough for that decisive moment, showing just how big football still is in this part of the Steel City, despite years of underachievement. But, far from putting pressure on the Owls as has happened in the past, the fans really were like a 12th man last season as Wednesday boasted the best home record in League One with 17 wins. More of the same this time around will ensure Dave Jones's men have no worries of falling back to League One for the third time in a decade.

WATFORD
The Hornets - Vicarage Road, Watford, WD18 0ER. Capacity 17,477
Last season: 11th, FA Cup 4th round, League Cup 1st round
Most recent top flight season: 2006-07
Manager: Gianfranco Zola (since July 2012)
Players In: Manuel Almunia, Fitz Hall, Almen Abdi, Ikechi Anya, Steve Leo Beleck, Daniel Pudil, Matej Vydra, Alexandre Geijo
Players Out: Rene Gilmartin, Michael Bryan, Tom James, Chez Isaac, John Walker, Adrian Mariaappa, Scott Loach, David Mirfin
Pre-season form:
17.07 v Boreham Wood (A) D1-1
21.07 v Wealdstone (A) D1-1
24.07 v Cork City (A) W2-0
01.08 v Barnet (H) W8-0
05.08 v Tottenham Hotspur (H) L0-1
07.08 v Gillingham (A) W3-0
11.08 v Wycombe Wanderers (H) W1-0 aet [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 17th
Watford spent all of last season proving the doubters wrong, starting the campaign as relegation favourites and ending it with their best finish for five years. All that good work under Sean Dyche is pretty irrelevant now, though, after a complete sea-change at the Hertfordshire club. In have come Italian backers - owners of Udinese, no less, Dyche was swiftly dumped and Gianfranco Zola installed, despite his patchy management record at West Ham. Hornets fans still recall the disastrous Gianluca Vialli reign with horror, and will probably simply accept history not repeating itself over the next 10 months.

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Wolves - Molineux, Waterloo Road, Wolverhampton, WV1 4QR. Capacity 31,700
Last season: 20th (relegated from Premier League), FA Cup 3rd round, League Cup 4th round
Most recent top flight season: 2011-12
Manager: Stale Solbakken (since July 2012)
Players In: Frank Nouble, Jamie Tank, Bjorn Sigurdarson, Tongo Doumbia, Slawomir Peszko
Players Out: Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Ashley Hemmings, Adlene Guedioura, Sam Vokes, Michael Kightly
Pre-season form:
21.07 v Bray Wanderers (A) W5-1
28.07 v Walsall (A) W3-0
31.07 v Shrewsbury Town (A) D2-2
04.08 v Southampton (A) L0-2
11.08 v Aldershot Town (H) D1-1 (won 7-6 on pens) [League Cup R1]
Prediction: 12th
The Wolves faithful was finally put out of their misery at the end of last season, largely accepting of a relegation which had, in truth, been coming for a couple of years. The final nail in the coffin undoubtedly came after the sacking of Mick McCarthy following the horrendous 5-1 derby defeat to West Brom. Candidates for the Molineux hot-seat came and went without being appointed, and Wolves were eventually left with only one option - to promote reluctant assistant, Terry Connor. It did not work out and Connor has been reassigned his assistant role but that still did not stop the Wolves board from taking another risk this summer by approaching the unproven Stale Solbakken. The Norwegian could have a tough time winning over some notoriously difficult fans if he makes a slow start.

The Season 2010/11: Survival Sunday calculations

Premier League
Full Table
MANCHESTER UNITED secured an English-record 19th league title last weekend as a late Wayne Rooney penalty ensured the Red Devils came away with a 1-1 draw against Blackburn Rovers.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men have finally overcome Liverpool's long-standing record thanks largely to a phenomenal home record in this season of 17 wins and a draw.

However, Man United's away record in the league has been less impressive with just five wins throughout the campaign - the same amount as Ian Holloway's Blackpool.

Ferguson's men produced another edgy away performance at Ewood Park, falling behind to a Brett Emerton first-half goal after a mix-up involving stand-in keeper Tomasz Kuszczak

But, Man United eased their way back into the contest and Rooney kept his cool to convert a 73rd-minute spot-kick and send the large travelling army of supporters into raptures.

Meanwhile, cross-city rivals Manchester City enjoyed the prelude to their FA Cup Final win over Stoke City by beating rivals Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 to qualify for the Champions League for the first time.

A year ago, Peter Crouch scored the only goal as Spurs beat Man City late in the season to reach Europe's elite competition.

And Crouch was on target again in the repeat fixture - but, this time, he could only divert the ball into his own net, ensuring Roberto Mancini's men would finish somewhere in the top-four.

Indeed, Man City are now favourites to finish third after a second win over Stoke in a week took advantage of another Arsenal lapse after Arsene Wenger's men were beaten at home to Aston Villa on Sunday.

Spurs had similarly been on an ill-timed poor run of form but Harry Redknapp's men at least beat a resurgent Liverpool team under Kenny Dalglish at Anfield to leapfrog their hosts into a Europa League spot.

And so, with most of the important matters at the top of the table already decided, attention will turn to an extraordinary situation at the bottom.

Five of the bottom six heading into Survival Sunday, as it stands, are separated by just a single point and many of the teams carry similar goal differences:

15	Blackburn Rovers	37		10	10	17	43	57		-14	40
16	Wolverhampton Wndrs	37		11	7	19	44	63		-19	40
17	Birmingham City	37		8	15	14	36	56		-20	39
18	Blackpool	37		10	9	18	53	74		-21	39
19	Wigan Athletic	37		8	15	14	39	61		-22	39
20	West Ham United (R)	37		7	12	18	43	67		-24	33

Selected final-day fixtures (kick-off: 4pm)
Manchester United v Blackpool
Stoke City v Wigan Athletic
Tottenham Hotspur v Birmingham City
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Blackburn Rovers

Only West Ham United have been so far relegated after a dreadful campaign, neatly summed up by their penultimate match against Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium in which they gave away a 2-0 half-time lead.

That 3-2 win, thanks to two goals from Charles N'Zogbia and one from Connor Sammon, has given Wigan a chance of salvation heading into the last day.

However, as you can see, the permutations for each of the five teams involved are far from straightforward:

BLACKBURN ROVERS
Win (43 points)
- Definitely safe
Draw (41 points)
- Rovers will remain above Wolves on goal difference, and will be safe UNLESS Birmingham, Blackpool and Wigan all win
Loss (40 points)
- Rovers will be relegated IF they suffer a particularly heavy loss AND two of Birmingham, Blackpool and Wigan draw
- Rovers will also be relegated IF they lose by any score AND two of Birmingham, Blackpool and Wigan win

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Win (43 points)
- Definitely safe
Draw (41 points)
- Wolves will remain below Blackburn on goal difference but will only be relegated IF two of Birmingham, Blackpool and Wigan win
Loss (40 points)
- If Wolves lose by one goal, they will be relegated IF two of Birmingham, Blackpool and Wigan win
- If Wolves lose by two or three-goal margins, they will be relegated IF Birmingham and Blackpool draw, OR one of those teams draws and Wigan win
- If Wolves lose by four+ goals, they will be relegated IF two of Birmingham, Blackpool and Wigan get a draw

BIRMINGHAM CITY
Win (42 points)
- The Blues will be safe UNLESS the Wolves-Blackburn match produces a winner AND both Blackpool and Wigan win by a greater margin than Birmingham
Draw (40 points)
- Birmingham will be relegated IF both Blackpool and Wigan win. Also relegated IF one of Blackpool and Wigan wins UNLESS Wolves are beaten by two goals
Loss (39 points)
- Birmingham will be relegated IF both Blackpool and Wigan draw OR they suffer less severe defeats - Blackpool need to be one-goal better while Wigan need to be two-goals better off.
- Birmingham will also go down IF either Blackpool or Wigan draw AND the other escapes with the aforementioned narrower defeat than Blues

BLACKPOOL
Win (42 points)
- Blackpool will be safe UNLESS the Wolves-Blackburn match produces a winner AND Birmingham and Wigan both win. Note: Wigan require a greater margin of victory than Blackpool.
Draw (40 points)
- Blackpool will be relegated if Birmingham draw or win OR Wigan win UNLESS Wolves are beaten by two goals
Loss (39 points)
- Blackpool will be relegated UNLESS Wigan also lose AND Birmingham lose by at least one more goal than Ian Holloway's men

WIGAN ATHLETIC
Win (42 points)
- Wigan will be safe UNLESS the Wolves-Blackburn match produces a winner AND Birmingham and Blackpool both also win
Draw (40 points)
- Wigan will be relegated IF both Birmingham and Blackpool draw
- Wigan will also be relegated IF one of Birmingham or Blackpool also draws UNLESS Wolves are beaten by four goals
Loss (39 points)
- Wigan will be relegated UNLESS both Birmingham and Blackpool lose by at least two goals more than the Latics