Eng. Championship
2015-09-26 - Ipswich Town vs Bristol City
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Championship
Saturday 26th September 2015 - Kick Off 3pm
Ipswich Town
Mick McCarthy made a number of changes to his side for the trip to Manchester United in the Capital One Cup during the week so it was no surprise Ipswich Town were beaten handily on the day. The manager admitted he had to give the Championship too much respect for a long Cup run, but also said it would have been difficult for his first choice team to beat the team that Manchester United put out which was surprisingly strong.
The Capital One Cup is not what the Ipswich Town fans are going to lose sleep over as the club bids to get back into the Premier League which now comes with a huge financial reward from next season. The Play Off Semi Final defeat to Norwich City hasn't seen Ipswich Town suffer with a hangover going into this campaign and they are up to 5th in the League table while also going 2-1-1 at Portman Road.
It was at Portman Road Ipswich Town laid the foundations for their success last season and they will look to the form there again this time around. However the side have won 1 of their last 6 in all competitions and failed to win their last 2 at home which have ended in a defeat to Birmingham City and a draw with Brighton.
Bristol City
Bristol City spent two seasons out of the Championship, but return this season having dominated proceedings in League One last season. It is all about consolidation for The Robins at this level and early season results hasn't changed the goal for the season which is to finish in at least 21st place in the Division.
At the moment, Bristol City go into the weekend fixtures down in 23rd place, but they are just 2 points from safety and keeping in touch with the teams above them is vital in the early goings as they find their feet at the higher level. They bring in a 1-1-2 away record from their first few games in the Championship and Bristol City have scored 4 goals and conceded 7 in those games.
A surprising win at Middlesbrough is the sole victory that Bristol City have earned this season in the League, but the haven't backed that up and have now lost 3 of their last 4 games in the Championship and won none of those. Bristol City were beaten 4-2 at Birmingham City and scored late in a 1-1 draw at Preston North End since winning at The Riverside Stadium.
Head to Head
Bristol City took four points off of Ipswich Town in the 2012/13 Championship season that ended with the former's relegation.
Ipswich Town are unbeaten in 10 home games against Bristol City and have won 7 of those games, although the last meeting ended 1-1 at Portman Road.
Prediction
Home form is always vitally important in a competitive Division like the Championship and it was the 15 home wins that Ipswich Town earned last season that propelled them into the Play Offs.
Recent form hasn't been that good for Ipswich Town, but they are facing a Bristol City team that have lost 3 of their last 4 games in the League. The Robins have played some decent stuff away from home, but I fancy Ipswich Town will end up being a little too good on the day and can outscore them.
Ipswich Town are being dangled at odds against to secure the three points here and I like them to do that.
The Pick :
Ipswich Town 2-1 Bristol City
