Eng. Championship
2013-02-08 - Watford vs Crystal Palace
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Championship
Friday 8 February 2013 - Kick Off 7:45pm
This game is live on TV
Watford
This is one side that continue to defy what the layers expected of them at the beginning of the season and Watford know beating one of their major rivals for promotion would actually move them into the final automatic promotion spot ahead of the Saturday games. The TV cameras are also at Vicarage Road for the game which should inspire the players and focus them on the importance of this match.
Watford are 4th in the Championship table and they are just 1 point behind Leicester City in the final automatic promotion spot. Their performances of late have also opened up a 9 point lead to Burnley just outside of the Play Off spots so they are playing with 'house money' in the final three months of the season. The side have an 8-2-5 record at home this season, scoring 26 goals and conceding 16.
They beat Bolton Wanderers 2-1 here last weekend and Watford have now won 4 of their last 5 games in the Championship to keep the pressure on the automatic promotion challengers. Watford have also won 3 of their last 4 home games, while goals haven't been a problem for the team as they have scored at least twice in 6 of their last 7 here.
Crystal Palace
There are some rumours that Peter Odemwingie is going to be signed on loan by Crystal Palace to provide the goals to move the Eagles into the Premier League. It wouldn't be a surprising move on the part of Ian Holloway who has seen his side struggling to score goals for a month or so, and that has seen them just having a hard time to keep up with the sides above them in the table.
Crystal Palace are 5th in the Championship and there is no way their automatic promotion challenge is over with just 2 points separating them and 2nd placed Leicester City. However, with Cardiff City getting away at the top of the League, Palace can't afford to keep dropping points as they have been recently. The side have a 5-4-6 record away from home this season, scoring 17 goals and conceding 20.
Palace had won just 1 of their last 11 games in all competitions before a come from behind win over Charlton Athletic at home last season. They had scored just 1 goal in 5 games in all competitions before the win last week too so the Odemwingie link makes sense. Palace have failed to win any of their last 8 away games in all competitions and they have lost 3 of their last 4 League games on their travels.
Head to Head
Two late goals helped Watford secure what was considered a surprise 2-3 win at Selhurst Park earlier this season.
However, Palace are unbeaten on their last 3 visits to Vicarage Road, winning 2 of them including a 0-2 win here last season.
Before that 3 game run, Watford had won 3 of 4 at home against Palace.
Prediction
I know it is 1.80 for over 2.5 goals and that doesn't look that appealing considering Crystal Palace's recent away games, but Watford will give you chances and I like that call.
Watford have been scoring plenty at home in recent games, but they have also conceded a fair few goals and I think the likes of Glenn Murray and Kevin Phillips are good enough to convert the chances that should come their way.
I also have a feeling that Palace may have got their second wind with the 2-1 win over Charlton last weekend and I do think there is a possibility of seeing a 2-1 win either way in this one.
The Pick :
Watford 1-2 Crystal Palace
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.80
