Top 10 potential upsets this weekend

By Mirror Football in

Published 17:40 17/09/10

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With the season well under way and the various divisions starting to take shape, we figured it was time to start piling the pressure on those early front runners.

Who will handle the pressure and who will fall apart like a Jenga tower?

Taking you through those all-important Top 10 potential shocks is MirrorFootball's Chris Bloor.

Wigan v Manchester City

To kick us off, we've got a surprising choice.

Wigan have been notoriously unpredictable of late.

They had some great results against the top sides last year, but were also handed a couple of drubbings.

This season, things began badly when they were torn apart by Blackpool and then Chelsea, whereas City looked imperious in a demolition of Liverpool.

However, where City have since stuttered, Wigan have improved, and will take heart after taking four points from their last two games.

City have also had to play a game during the week - although you would expect that with the money they've spent, if anyone can cope with it then it's them.

Nonetheless, if Hugo Rodallega can get things going up front with new signing Mauro Boselli then Wigan could be dangerous - particularly if Joe Hart doesn't end his mini-blip.

Tottenham v Wolves

Mick McCarthy has done a tremendous job with Wolves, keeping them in the Premier League with relative ease last season.

But equally impressive has been the transformation at Spurs since the arrival of Harry Redknapp.

When Harry took over, his side were bottom of the pile; now they're in the Champions League.

However, with this success comes the pressure of playing that extra midweek fixture. This season is the first time Tottenham will have had to dealt with full-on league games just days after the rigours of contesting Europe's elite competition.

Additionally, McCarthy's side were able to win the corresponding match last year, and Tottenham are yet to win in the league in front of their home fans.

Crystal Palace v Burnley

Cash-strapped Palace are in a lowly 19th spot, hovering rather precariously above the drop zone, whereas Burnley currently are in possession of that final play-off position.

The Eagles' only two wins of the season have come at Selhurst Park. Indeed, their only defeat on home turf came at the hands of Roy Keane's imperious Ipswich - and only then after Palace had been reduced to 10 men.

Confidence will be high as the hosts enter this game off the back of a 4-1 demolition of Pompey.

Burnley, on the other hand, lost during the week against previously beleaguered-looking Middlesbrough, and have only managed to find the net away from Turf Moor on two occasions.

Millwall v Watford

Millwall have been the surprise package of the Championship so far. Although newly promoted they are currently to be found occupying third spot, heading the pack that's clinging onto the coat-tails of QPR and Cardiff.

The Lions have been strong at home, but as effective as they have been, Watford's form on their travels is equally impressive - they have won seven points away from Vicarage Road.

Marvin Sordell and Danny Graham spearhead the Hornets' attack and look like they could form one of the strongest partnerships this weekend.

Millwall's defence will have their work cut out, but have coped well with the step-up thus far, giving away only one goal at The Den.

This game promises to be a close encounter.

Oldham v Bournemouth

Oldham look good to upset the odds as they have taken more than half of their points from their home games, and are yet to lose at Boundary Park.

Bournemouth are a model of inconsistency away from home, having won, drawn and lost from their three fixtures thus far. However, that victory came at Tranmere, who are currently residing in the relegation zone.

With feisty Paul Dickov at the helm, Oldham will want to maintain the impressive start.

Much will depend on their ability to handle Josh McQuoid, who has had his shooting boots on recently, netting three times in two games.

Barnet v Rotherham

Barnet have endured a difficult start to the season, including a 7-0 pasting at the hands of Crewe - hence their position in the danger zone - however they seem to be turning it around.

They had a cracking result against sixth-placed Cheltenham, winning 3-1 at home.

In fact, they are yet to lose at Underhill this season.

Rotherham evidently don't want to give too much away when they don't have a home crowd, because as well as only conceding one goal on their travels, they've also only scored once. So don't expect a thriller.

However, if the Millers are truly aspiring to promotion, then they will have to chance their arm at some point, and if tomorrow is the day then it could allow Barnet to capitalise.

It's a hard one to call, but Barnet will fancy their chances.

Tranmere v Charlton

Charlton's fall from grace has been somewhat rapid.

They made a decent first of winning promotion back to the top two divisions last year, but were cruelly undone by Swindon on penalties in the play-offs.

This campaign has seen them perform inconsistently, especially away from home, where they have lost two of their three games.

They travel to Prenton Park to meet a Tranmere side who are in League One's relegation zone but, in terms of form, are starting to get their act together and have taken four points from their last three games.

Charlton will have to play without inspirational leader Christian Daily, who has a fractured eye socket, and this could give Rovers the edge they need.

Bury v Hereford

Perhaps more than any fixture so far, you look at this match on paper and immediately think 'home win.'

Bury sit a full 12 places ahead of Hereford, who are languishing in the bottom two, with only Morecambe preventing them from propping up the entire Football League.

However, Hereford's only win of the season did come away from Edgar Street...

Unfortunately, Hereford have only scored once in their six opening games, so if they are to snatch something then it's unlikely to come with a flurry of goals.

Bury have, however, conceded seven in their last two games, and were thumped 3-0 last weekend by Crewe.

Midfielder Steven Schumacher was sent off in that defeat, so Bury will be without his talents this weekend.

Much will depend upon their ability to bounce back from adversity. If they are unable to, then Hereford could snatch a valuable win.

Oxford v Stockport

Oxford have enjoyed a surge of late, having beaten York in the play-off final to make their way into League Two.

They appear to have carried on from where they left off and already find themselves in the promotion-chasing pack.

Their away form remains impressive, having not lost on the road. A strong record back at the Kassam Stadium has proved elusive though. One win, one draw and a loss is all they have to show for their efforts.

Likewise, Stockport haven't relied upon home comforts, with two-thirds of their points coming away from Edgeley Park.

Stockport began slowly, but now look to have found some form, and will look to continue this run.

Both sides are undefeated in their last two games, so this could turn out to be this weekend's League Two special.

Plymouth v Sheffield Wednesday

Plymouth are currently 18th, but have played one game fewer than most of their contemporaries.

They've also managed to arrest their bad form, managing a good draw against Colchester.

Wednesday, on the other hand, are seventh but have been beaten in their last two games.

As we all know, it's very a slippery slope if your side gets into the habit of losing.

This fixture was played in the heady heights of the Championship last year, and Wednesday came out on top, 3-1.

Plymouth will be looking to avenge that result but, more than anything, will be wanting to kick-start their season under new boss Peter Reid.

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