Gerry Mandering - Football Correspondent: previews and match reports, Wednesday 4 November 2026

Cardiff v West Ham

Gerry’s preview: Championship nonsense at 7:45 on a Wednesday

West Ham have won 4 of the last 5 meetings against Cardiff, which tells me they are far better than being 8th on 22 points suggests. Cardiff sit 18th on 14 points but remain unbeaten in their last 4 league matches at home. That defence must be holding together by hope and duct tape.

The computer gives Cardiff a mere 10% chance. I suppose I should thank them for admitting how hopeless we look to outsiders, though I suspect even that figure is too generous given our recent form.

Cardiff 1-2 West Ham. Write it down.

Gerry’s call: Cardiff 1–2 West Ham

Wrexham v Middlesbrough

Gerry’s preview: Wrexham look fragile against top-flight Boro

Middlesbrough are second in the Championship on 28 points and unbeaten over their last 4 gameweeks. They have won 4 matches, drawn 1, scored 14 goals and conceded just 5. That kind of record does not come from luck. It comes from players who actually show up for work. At home, Middlesbrough are also unbeaten in their last 4 away league matches, winning 3 and drawing 1. Away days do not seem to bother them one bit.

Lankshear has been the standout act with 7 goals in the last 4 gameweeks. His Striker Force price is up £1.2m to £26.5m, but he is owned by only 24% of managers. People ignore the obvious star until the market corrects itself, then they complain about inflation. The man scores freely. He should not need a press release.

Wrexham sit 19th on 14 points after winning 1, drawing 1 and losing 3 of their last 4. They have scored 6 but conceded 7. Their injury list reads like a phone book: Broadhead out with a thigh issue, Cacace missing through calf trouble, Windass sidelined with an ankle problem, and Revan doubtful. Jones is out too. That means half their attack is currently attending physiotherapy appointments instead of training sessions.

The computer gives Wrexham just a 10% chance, while Boro and the draw split the remaining probability at 45 each. A model that suggests nearly half the games end level usually implies both teams are equally bad at finishing off chances or simply too lazy to run back for defensive duties. Given Wrexham's current squad crisis, one can imagine them standing still waiting for Boro to make a mistake.

Head-to-head shows Wrexham failed to win any of the last three meetings against Middlesbrough. With so many stars unavailable, this looks like another uncomfortable afternoon in North Wales. It will be cold by kick-off time, which suits my preference for suffering quietly over celebrating loudly. I suppose we shall see how long their makeshift defence lasts before Lankshear decides to add another goal to his tally.

Middlesbrough 2-0 Wrexham. Write it down.

Gerry’s call: Wrexham 0–2 Middlesbrough

Bristol City v Wolves

Gerry’s preview: Gerry: The draw machine strikes again

Wolves have won 3 of the last 5 meetings against Bristol City, which would be impressive if they weren't missing Jimenez, Konan, and half their backline to injury. Bristol City are 15th on 18 points, having conceded 5 in their last 4 matches while scoring just 4. Their defence looks leakier than a tea trolley lid in high wind. Yet the computer insists there is a 45% chance of a draw. If you believe that, I will sell my car. No one does.

It’s Wednesday evening, which means everyone is either hungover or watching television until ten o'clock. I prefer the latter. This game reeks of stalemates and disappointment. Bristol City 0-0 Wolves. Write it down.

Gerry’s call: Bristol City 0–0 Wolves

Oxford United v Reading

Gerry’s preview: Neighbours bickering for points

League One has given us a local derby to hide behind on a midweek night. Oxford United sit 4th on 23 points. Reading are 6th on 22. They are neighbours in the table and clearly have something personal against each other. I did not ask them to be interesting, yet here they are, taking up valuable broadcast time before the trolley arrives.

Oxford are unbeaten over their last 4 gameweeks, winning 3 and drawing 3, scoring 7 and conceding 4. At home they remain unbeaten in their last 4 league matches, managing 2 wins and 2 draws. That is defensive patience masquerading as form. They do not lose so much as refuse to engage until forced. It makes for dull television but keeps the manager employed, which counts for something in this game of ours.

Reading present the opposite problem. Over the last 4 gameweeks they have won 3, drawn 1 and lost 1, scoring 8 and conceding just 3. On paper that looks better than most sides in the division. But away from home? Last 4: W1 D2 L1. Their attack travels poorly when the postcode changes. Lisbie has 4 goals in his last 4 starts and costs £8.4m in Striker Force, yet owns by none of you. Either he is brilliant or he is hiding at some other club’s training ground. You choose your own theory accordingly.

The computer gives Oxford a 35% chance, Reading 30%, with another 35% reserved for mutual disappointment ending level. A third of all outcomes being a draw suggests both sides will cancel each other out like two equally boring arguments about parking spots. I expect plenty of possession, few shots on target, and one lucky bounce deciding it. The statistics suggest boredom; the football usually provides chaos. We shall see which wins tonight under the floodlights.

In my day we had rain, mud and an opponent who actually kicked the ball back where it went. Now we get statistical models splitting hairs over single points while players check their phones between drills. It has become tedious beyond measure. Oxford United 2-1 Reading. Write it down.

Gerry’s call: Oxford United 2–1 Reading