Eng. Championship
2011-08-06 - Southampton vs Leeds United
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football : English Championship
Saturday 6 August 2011 - Kickoff 5:20pm
Isn't it great having live football back on a Saturday afternoon?!!
Southampton
Southampton returned to the second tier of English football when finishing as Runner Up to Brighton last season in League One, but the ambition still remains to return to the Premier League. Norwich would have inspired the promoted teams from League One this season after they had back to back promotions last season to show that it can be done.
Nigel Adkins has done a good job at St Mary's since arriving as manager from Scunthorpe and Southampton had been well backed by their owners before the unfortunate passing of Markus Liebherr. The Swiss billionaire had apparently made provisions for Southampton in case of his death, but they have not spent as much in the Summer as they may have done.
An important piece of the puzzle for them is the retention of Alex Chamberlain, a young prospect that has had the big clubs all glancing at him. Southampton could be very grateful if they can hold on to Chamberlain for the season.
Southampton had a very strong 16-4-3 record at home last season, scoring 44 goals and conceding just 13. Only 3 teams scored more home goals than the Saints last season while they had the best defence in the League.
The Saints won their last 9 home games since losing 1-2 to Manchester United in the FA Cup.
Dean Hammond should be available to play but Alex Chamberlain is a doubt after missing the last pre-season game.
Leeds United
Leeds United just missed the Play Offs last season and that has only increased expectation at Elland Road as this 'sleeping giant' looks to reawaken. Unfortunately, Ken Bates has not really opened his chequebook this Summer and it looks like it could be another frustrating season for Leeds as they look to return to the Premier League.
Simon Grayson has lost some key personnel in the forms of Kasper Schmeichel, Richard Naylor and Bradley Johnson in the Summer. Leeds have signed Paul Rachubka and he is likely to be the Number 1 while Michael Brown and Andy Lonergan should both be starters.
Leeds finished 7th in the Championship last season, missing the Play Offs by an agonising 3 points. They finished 8-7-8 away from home, scoring 34 goals and conceding 36 and had won their last away game of the season 1-2 at QPR. However, Leeds had lost their 4 previous games away from Elland Road.
Darren O'Dea will be in the squad after becoming the latest player to sign for Leeds. Luciano Becchio and Davide Somma are both missing and could leave Leeds a little short up front, but Andy O'Brien is expected to shake of an injury and take his place at centre half.
Head to Head
Southampton beat Leeds 1-0 at home in their last meeting in March 2010.
That means Southampton have won 4 of their last 5 home games against Leeds.
There has not been a draw between these two sides in the last 11 games played in Southampton either here at St Mary's or the Saints' old home The Dell.
Prediction
This game represents a real chance for Southampton to announce their arrival back in the Championship against a solid team from last season.
Much of Nigel Adkins' success came from a strong defence and a very strong record at St Mary's. We can expect Southampton will try the same things that worked so well in League One, especially after seeing it work for Norwich last season, and they have kept a consistent squad together which should give them an edge.
Leeds look a little short up front for this game and they might find it difficult to break down a tough Southampton defence and it may be that 1 goal is all the home side need to secure the points.
It's very early in the season, so I wouldn't go crazy when it comes to stakes, but I do fancy Southampton to get off to a good start.
The Pick :
Southampton 1-0 Leeds United
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Southampton @ 2.25 (Various)
