Eng. Championship
2012-03-31 - Blackpool vs Southampton
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Championship
Saturday 31 March 2012 - Kick Off 5:25pm
This game is live on TV
Blackpool
Ian Holloway will not be happy to see his side losing momentum at just the wrong time of the season and now they are in for a fight just to make the Play Offs after looking a late contender to perhaps challenge for an automatic promotion berth. They welcome the League leaders to Bloomfield Road, along with the TV cameras, in a vital game as the season winds to a close.
Blackpool were pushed out of the Play Off positions thanks to Birmingham's 1-1 draw with Cardiff City last week, although they are 7th in the table with the same number of points as the Blues. It is going to be a tight race for a finish in the top 6 as only 6 points separate 4th from 11th in the Championship table. The Seasiders are 10-6-3 at Bloomfield Road this season, scoring 33 goals and conceding 20.
The side have only won 1 of their last 6 Championship games, and it seems the attacking philosophy set out by Holloway is hurting his side as they cannot keep the backdoor closed. Blackpool have conceded 10 goals in their last 4 games, while they are having a hard time at home. They have won just 1 of their last 5 League games in front of their supporters, although they have lost just 1 in 12 in the League.
Roman Bednar will be absent for the home side as he is still suffering from an injury, but there are no new injury worries for Ian Holloway.
Southampton
Southampton remain focused in their bid to emulate Norwich City and record back to back promotions from League One through to the Premier League. The fans must be getting a little excited as they will have a chance to extend their lead over the teams in the Play Off positions with West Ham due to play Reading at Upton Park earlier in the day.
The Saints lead the Championship by 5 points to Reading and they hold a 6 point advantage over West Ham outside of the automatic promotion spots with just 7 games left to play. They have a solid 8-6-5 record away from home this season, scoring 30 goals and conceding 22, putting them in the top 5 in categories for away wins, away goals scored and away goals conceded.
The side did suffer a dip in form between January and February, which is only natural in a 46 League game season, but they have picked up the pace in recent games to surge ahead in the table. They are unbeaten in their last 12 League games and Southampton have now won 7 of their last 8 League games, including 4 in a row. They are unbeaten in 7 away League games, winning the last 4.
Tadanari Lee is back in the squad for this game, but the biggest positive news is the fact that Rickie Lambert looks set to be available.
Head to Head
These two sides drew 2-2 at St Mary's earlier this season as Rickie Lambert scored the second of his two goals in the 90th minute to earn Southampton a point.
This is the first meeting at Bloomfield Road for three seasons, and the teams have drawn their last 2 games here.
Prediction
Southampton will have a huge opportunity to move at least 8 points clear of the Play Off spots if they can win this game with West Ham meeting Reading earlier in the day. Nigel Adkins has done a fantastic job at St Mary's in the last 18 months since taking over as manager and his side seem to have picked up form at the right time.
They face a Blackpool team that have been struggling to win games recently, but one that will be desperate for the three points to keep their own promotion bid on track. The race for the Play Offs look certain to be a tight run thing, and Blackpool have just fallen off the track a little in recent games.
Blackpool have been conceding far too many goals recently, and that could be a big problem against a Southampton side boasting Rickie Lambert up front.
As per normal with Ian Holloway games, Blackpool have been involved in some high scoring encounters recently, and I am going to back this game to be the same. Southampton have scored at least 2 goals in 3 of their last 4 away games, while Blackpool have scored 6 and conceded 4 in their last 2 at Bloomfield Road.
With both sides expected to attack to earn the three points in this game, Overs looks the most positive pick.
The Pick :
Blackpool 2-2 Southampton
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll pick Over 2.75 Goals @ 2.05 (Ladbrokes)
