Eng. Championship
2012-02-04 - Burnley vs Peterborough
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Championship
Saturday 4 February 2012 - Kick Off 3pm
Burnley
It wasn't actually that long ago that Eddie Howe was being heavily criticised by the Burnley fans and there were rumours that this talented manager would potentially be sacked as the team were struggling at the wrong end of the table. However, an upturn in fortunes has seen them steaming up the table and the Play Offs are once again a genuine target.
Burnley are up to 9th in the Championship table, and their 43 point tally means they are only 3 points behind 4th placed Birmingham City, so the fans are once again expectant. For the side to reach their goals, the will have to improve their record at Turf Moor where Burnley are 5-4-5 this season, scoring 22 goals and conceding 15. It is telling that only 4 teams have won less home games than Burnley this season, with two of those sitting in the relegation zone.
The team have been in very good form of late, winning 5 of their last 7 League games and only losing 1 game in that run. Burnley drew 0-0 with Derby County in their last home game, but they had won 3 of 4 here before that and they have only conceded 1 goal in their last 5 games here.
Keith Treacy left early in the win over Nottingham Forest and could miss out here. Martin Paterson and Junior Stanislas are both expected to miss out but Ross Wallace could be in the starting line up.
Peterborough
Darren Ferguson has been enjoying his second stint in charge of Peterborough, but he must be very grateful for the fast start made by his side in the Championship this season as recent form has definitely taken a downward spiral. While they enjoy a buffer to those sides in the relegation zone, Ferguson will want to see his side help themselves by picking up points.
Peterborough fell down to 17th in the Championship table during the week, but they have gained a respectable 33 points so far, keeping them 9 points clear of Doncaster Rovers in the final relegation position as well as the buffer of some teams between themselves and that spot. The team have a 3-4-7 away record this season, scoring 17 goals but conceding 22.
The poor form the Posh have been on means they have not won a game in their last 6 games in all competitions, and they come into this one having lost 4 in a row. Goals have dried up too, with the team scoring just 3 in their last 6 games and only 1 in their last 4. While they were beaten 1-0 in their last away game at Hull City, Peterborough had only lost 1 of their previous 5 on their travels.
Ryan Bennett signed for Norwich City during this transfer window, but he will remain with Peterborough for the rest of the month on the 'emergency loan' system. While the squad is a small one, Darren Ferguson has no other injury worries to concern him in this one.
Head to Head
Peterborough beat Burnley 2-1 at London Road earlier this season, but this will be their first trip to Turf Moor since the 1996/97 season.
Burnley have won their last 3 home games against Peterborough, including a 5-0 win the last time they played one another here.
Prediction
Burnley are rightly the favourites for this game on current form and I do think they will be good enough to pick up the 3 points as Peterborough do leak goals but are not scoring enough to make up for it at the moment.
The one thing I noticed about Peterborough, especially away from home, is that they don't make the best of starts and they have actually been trailing in 8 of their 14 away games so far this season. Burnley themselves have scored 13 of their 22 home goals in the first half and they have been making a fast start recently, including a 3rd minute goal at Nottingham Forest.
With that in mind, I think it may be worth chancing Burnley leading this game at half time and at full time at what looks like a tasty 2.90 being dangled at 188Bet.
The home side are playing with confidence and I think they will get going early although I am hoping the cold snap affecting Britain will not cool them down too much.
The Pick :
Burnley 3-1 Peterborough
