Eng. Championship
2010-12-11 - Crystal Palace vs Hull City
A Sports Betting Pick by Caged
In the televised Saturday tea time game in the Championship its struggling Crystal Palace at home to struggling Hull City. What have we done to deserve this?Crystal Palace
22nd Place
Home Record W5 D1 L4 GF15 GA13
Darren Ambrose is back, and suddenly Palace have hit form. This is no coincidence. The prolific midfielder has been sorely missed this season, and with him back in the side Palace have doubled their win count in five games.
Palace are a young side but they have some exciting prospects, and when this is coupled with genuine Championship quality like keeper Julian Speroni and Ambrose, like so many Championship sides they can beat anyone in the division on their day. Getting them at home at prices of 6/4 has to be taken seriously.
After all, considering their position Palaces home form is excellent. South London Selhurst Park is notoriously difficult to get to and this has to have an effect on visiting sides particularly those coming from the North. 16 of Palaces modest return of 20 points this season have come at home, and this doesnt bode well for poor travellers Hull City.
Hull City
15th Place
Away Record W2 D4 L4 GF11 GA19
Hull City were a winner for us at decent odds when they went to Preston in a televised Friday night game recently. They are similarly priced again this weekend, against another relegation threatened side. So why not back them to repeat the trick?
Well, Palace with Darren Ambrose are a better side than Preston. And whilst the Friday night games in the Championship are a bit of a favourites graveyard, the Saturday tea time games are a touch more reliable.
Since that Preston game, Hull have beaten Ipswich at home and drawn away at Middlesboro, and the Tigers havent lost in four games now. But with only two wins away from home it is very difficult to back them at Selhurst Park where the improving hosts are at their strongest.
Hull have also had an enforced break with their game last weekend being called off. Sometimes this gives squads a chance to recover and recuperate, but often it affects momentum and with Hull on a decent run you have to think they would have preferred to play.
Palace have won 5 at home, Hull 2 away. And you are getting nearly 6/4 for the hosts. The value here is Palace.
Head to Heads
These sides have only played three times at Selhurst in the last five years, Palaces record is W1 D2 L0. The last meeting was a 1-1 draw in 2007.
Team News
Midfield stalwart Ian Ashbee is expected to return for Hull but on loan Liverpool defender Daniel Ayala, midfielder Bullard and forwards Folan and Fagan remain out.
The Pick :
Crystal Palace 1 Hull City 0
