[Championship > 30th April - 4th May]

Re: Championship > 30th April - 4th May Crystal Palace - Peterborough United Everyone seems to be expecting an open encounter between two free scoring and conceding teams, but I am not so sure. Palace need a point to secure a top six finish and were very happy to play out a 0-0 bore draw in what is usually a passionate derby game with Millwall in midweek. If the normal competitive nature of that fixture didn't divert them from their gameplan, why should they want to battle it out, at least early, with Posh this afternoon. United have been very much the better of these two in 2013 and have averaged a point a game more over the last ten matches, they are fighting for survival, as they have been virtually since August , they are outside the drop zone on goal difference and will be safe with a point if either Barnsley do not win, or Sheffield Wednesday lose. Therefore, a point each might well see both achieve their aim today and I see no reason for either to go gung-ho from the start, infact, I suspect both will be ultra cautious and look to see how things playout elsewhere. Then, if the need to gamble, they can. I like the half time draw at circa 2.375, neither will be out of the equation at that stage and if they then find out that results elsewhere dictate they have to step up, they still have 45 minutes to do so and the bonus is that at that time their opponent might no longer be as motivated. Forest or Bolton losing will see Palace clinch a post season spot, or Barnsley and/or Wednesday two down, will leave Posh safe. BTW these are two of the top 7 performing first half teams in the Championship and look closely matched anyway, all in all, it makes perfect sense and the odds look generous. HT Draw circa 2.25 -2.40