Eng. Championship
2013-05-04 - Hull City vs Cardiff City
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Championship
Saturday 4 May 2013 - Kick Off 12:45pm
This game is live on TV
Hull City
This is clearly a team feeling a little bit of pressure as the TV cameras will go to the KC Stadium on Saturday to see if Cardiff City can book their place in the Premier League for next season. Steve Bruce and his men know that their destiny is in their own hands as a win would see them promoted to the top flight, but anything less will give Watford the chance to overtake them and move into the second automatic promotion spot on the final day.
At the moment, Hull City are 2nd in the Championship and they hold a 1 point lead over Watford, although with a far inferior goal difference to boot. That means anything less than a win and a Watford win will see the Hornets take over and move into the Premier League. Hull have a 13-3-6 record at home this season, scoring 33 goals and only conceding 20 in those games.
Hull City have been feeling the pressure as they have failed to win any of their last 3 League games and they have picked up just 1 point from a possible 9 in that run. The 2-0 defeat to relegation threatened Barnsley last week was a real kick in the teeth, especially as they have also lost 1-0 to Wolves recently. Hull have only won 1 of their last 4 home games in the League and have earned 4 points from a possible 12 in that run.
Cardiff City
The Champions of the second tier of English football will be looking to complete their season on a high before the management staff get their ideas together for how to compete in the Premier League next season. There will clearly be some investment made in the squad at Cardiff City as they move into the top flight, but they have a real chance to help decide which side will definitely be joining them next season and which will have to earn their stripes in the Play Offs.
Cardiff City have won the Championship and there is a feeling that the side have taken their foot off the gas a little. Even with that feeling in mind, it would be foolish to write off a team that has a 10-5-7 away record and one that has scored 33 goals and conceded 28 in those games.
They have been riding a 7 game unbeaten run in the League coming into this game, but Cardiff City have drawn 5 of their last 6 games. They have only won 1 of their last 5 away games in the Championship and they have drawn back to back games at Watford and Burnley.
Head to Head
Cardiff City beat Hull City 2-1 at home earlier this season.
Hull did the double over Cardiff last season, beating them 2-1 at home, although failing to win either of their previous 2 home games against them.
Prediction
I can understand the layers are taking no chances by pricing Hull City as short as they are with their motivation much higher than Cardiff City's.
Motivation is important, but the home team are clearly feeling the pressure down the stretch and I think they may leave the door open for Watford. Backing Cardiff City to avoid defeat looks like it could be a real player in this one.
The Pick :
Hull City 1-1 Cardiff City
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Cardiff City + 0.5 Asian Handicap @ 1.90
