During <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/crystal-palace/">Crystal Palace</a>‘s FA Cup fifth-round clash with Millwall, all attention was drawn to star striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, who was stretchered off the pitch after taking a kick to the face. Shortly after the match, the Frenchman broke his silence, offering an update to the fans.



In the sixth minute, Will Hughes played a long ball for Mateta to chase. Millwall goalkeeper attempted to intercept it outside the penalty area, but in doing so, kicked Mateta in the left side of his face. After a quick VAR review, Roberts was sent off for the reckless tackle, and Mateta was treated on the pitch for several minutes before being stretchered off and taken to the hospital.



In the aftermath, Mateta shared an optimistic message on his Instagram: “Thank you all for your kind messages. I’m doing well. I hope to be back very soon. And stronger than ever. Well done guys for the great job today. I love you. JP,” he wrote, reassuring fans amid growing concern.



Though there has been no official update on his injury, Mateta’s message reassured supporters that he is in good health. His absence will undoubtedly be a significant blow to Palace, as he has directly contributed to nearly 30% of the club’s 51 goals this season, with 15 goals and three assists.



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As for the match, Crystal Palace secured their spot in the quarter-finals of the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/fa-cup/">FA Cup</a> with a 3-1 victory at Selhurst Park. Japhet Tanganga’s own goal, along with strikes from Eddie Nketiah and Daniel Munoz, sealed the win for Palace.



<h2>Crystal Palace chairman addresses ‘life-endangering’ challenge</h2>



While Mateta was being attended to by the medical team, Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish was seen speaking with coaching staff, describing the challenge as “life-endangering.” During halftime, Parish was interviewed by BBC and gave an update on Mateta’s injury:



“So far, what we know is that he has a bad gash behind his ear and a head injury. He’s at the hospital, and we hope for the best. There’s a lot of emotion in soccer, but we need to talk about that challenge. In all my years in soccer, I’ve never seen a challenge like it. I looked to see how old the goalkeeper is—he’s 30 years old,” Parish said.



“That is the most reckless challenge on a soccer pitch that I think I’ve ever seen and he needs to have a long hard look at himself that lad because he’s endangering a fellow professional – and maybe even his life with a challenge like that,” Palace chairman straightly stated, while also addressing Liam Roberts’s behavior.

Crystal Palace star Mateta breaks silence after kick to the face and being stretchered off against Millwall

Crystal Palace star Mateta breaks silence after kick to the face and being stretchered off against Millwall - World Soccer Talk

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After getting 58% of the predictions correct <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2013/10/18/preview-of-this-weekends-championship-matches-gameweek-12/">last weekend</a>, I feel I deserve another shot at attempting to predict the outcome of this weekend’s Championship fixtures!
All times Eastern. TV/Internet times listed for US readers/viewers.
Programming note: For viewers in the United States, select Championship games are available exclusively on beIN SPORT and DishWorld. Even if you don’t have a TV subscription to beIN SPORT, you can access those channels via online streaming service&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-3301630-11483566" target="_blank">DishWorld</a>&nbsp;for $10/month. Read our&nbsp;<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2013/10/19/subscribe-to-bein-sport-for-10month-via-dishworld/">review of DishWorld</a>. And&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-3301630-11483566" target="_blank">sign up for DishWorld</a>&nbsp;via their website.
&nbsp;
Barnsley v Sheffield Wednesday; Saturday, October 26, 7:15am, beIN SPORT Play
A Yorkshire derby. Paddy McCourt looks like a gem of a player for the Tykes – as demonstrated by his superb solo goal last weekend! Wednesday still haven’t won a game this season and Dave Jones must surely be treading on thin ice. I fancy Barnsley to record back-to-back wins this weekend.
VERDICT: Home win
Huddersfield v Leeds; Saturday, October 26, 7:30am, Not on US TV/Internet
Another Yorkshire derby! I was commenting on Leeds’ lack of goals scored last week and they ended up putting 4 past Birmingham. Huddersfield will be without leading goalscorer James Vaughan, who serves the first of a three-match suspension. This will be a tight game.
VERDICT:&nbsp;Draw
Burnley v&nbsp;QPR; Saturday, October 26, 10am, beIN SPORT Play
I have no idea. Burnley picked up a fantastic win at Portman Road last weekend to really announce themselves as&nbsp;<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2013/10/24/are-burnley-serious-contenders-for-promotion-back-to-the-premier-league/">serious promotion contenders</a>. QPR have further strengthened their squad with the free&nbsp;<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2013/10/23/us-international-oguchi-onyewu-joins-qpr-with-aim-of-getting-club-promoted-back-to-the-epl/">signing of USA international defender Oguchi Onyewu</a>. Their squad is too good not to finish in the Top 2 this season. Expect Charlie Austin to score the winner against his former club.
VERDICT:&nbsp;Away win
Blackpool v Blackburn; Saturday, October 26, 7:15am, Not on US TV/Internet 
A Lancashire derby! The absence of manager Paul Ince did not seem to affect the Tangerines last week at all. Blackburn will be looking to bounce back after their disappointing defeat at home to Charlton and I think they will. Expect Jordan Rhodes to score a brace.
VERDICT: Away win
Bolton v Ipswich; Saturday, October 26, 7:15am, Not on US TV/Internet
Surely Bolton will eventually start picking up some wins? They will have to do without goalkeeper Adam Bogdan though, who is out for six weeks with a knee injury. Mick McCarthy is being heavily linked with the vacant Republic of Ireland job – a job he is probably interested in after his previous stint over ten years ago. Could this be Dougie Freedman’s last game in charge of Bolton? After the departure of Ian Holloway this week, it would be highly ironic.
VERDICT: Away win
Derby v Birmingham; Saturday, October 26, 7:15am, Not on US TV/Internet 
Steve McClaren has enjoyed a fantastic start at Derby – emphasized by their superb 3-2 win at Vicarage Road last weekend. Currently sitting in 8th, that result will give them confidence as they attempt to mount a serious playoff push. Lee Clark is another manager who must be perilously close to being sacked, even if Birmingham have no money at the moment. I’d expect a response after their drubbing at Elland Road and, knowing the Championship as I do, this will probably be a draw.
VERDICT: Draw
Leicester v Bournemouth; Saturday, October 26, 7:15am, Not on US TV/Internet
Leicester continue to march on. I predicted that Bournemouth will get a draw at Nottingham Forest last week and I think they’ll give Leicester a good game this weekend. I expect the Foxes to slightly edge it though.
VERDICT: Home win
Reading v Milwall; Saturday, October 26, 7:15am, Not on US TV/Internet
Milwall will be buoyed by their late equalizer against QPR last weekend and I think Steve Lomas has done a good job so far. Although Royston Drenthe is a doubt, the Royals will have been pleased to see Pavel Pogrebnyak back on the scoresheet last weekend. I think Millwall will battle for another point.
VERDICT: Draw
Yeovil v Nottingham Forest; Saturday, October 26, 7:15am, Not on US TV/Internet
Yeovil are currently bottom of the Championship and urgently need to start picking up points to avoid being cut adrift. Forest will be very disappointed with conceding a late goal against Bournemouth, but they find themselves in a strong position in the league. This will be a high intensity game and Yeovil might well nick it. Billy Davies will undoubtedly be moaning about a referee decision.
VERDICT: Home win
Charlton v Wigan; Sunday, October 27, 11am, Not on US TV/Internet
This really could go either way. Wigan picked up a very impressive draw against Rubin Kazan on Thursday night in the UEFA Europa League but they will be tired going into this game. Will Charlton be able to capitalize on their surprise win at Ewood Park last weekend? Home win for me.
VERDICT: Home win
Brighton v Watford; Monday, October 28, 3:45pm; <a href="http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-3301630-11483566" target="_blank">beIN SPORT</a> and <a href="http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-3301630-11483566" target="_blank">DishWorld</a>
Another game that is hard to call. Although Derby played well, Watford’s defending last weekend was very poor and is something they will have to rectify as soon as possible if they want to be challenging for promotion this season. Brighton have had a particularly uneventful start to the season and you really do not know what to expect from them. Watford should edge this.
VERDICT: Away win

Preview of This Weekend’s Championship Matches, Gameweek 13

Preview of This Weekend’s Championship Matches, Gameweek 13 - World Soccer Talk

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Crystal Palace star Mateta breaks silence after kick to the face and being stretchered off against Millwall

Leagues: Championship

Preview of This Weekend’s Championship Matches, Gameweek 13