English Premier
2009-10-24 - Wolverhampton vs Aston Villa
A Sports Betting Pick by Gooner
Football: England, Premier League
Saturday, 24th October 2009 - Kickoff 12:45
Wolverhampton (16th) Home : 1-1-2 3:5
Wolves are having the sort of season that I expected in their return to the top-flight, with the side being competitive against most sides outside the top six.
Last weeks 1-1 draw with Everton at Gooodson Park is a good example, with Wolves battling well for long periods, taking a second half lead, and only conceding the equaliser with a couple of minutes left.
At home at Molineux though, Wolves have not made the best use of home advantage, with just one win in the first four games, and goals conceded in each games, and that's a bit of a disappointing return given the average nature of the opposition.
Friday Night Team News :
Wolves striker Chris Iwelumo has recovered from the broken metatarsal he suffered in pre-season and could feature for the first time this season.
Stefan Maierhofer is suspended following his red card against Everton last weekend.
Aston Villa (6th) Away : 2-0-1 5:3
Aston Villa will come into this match bouyed by an impressive 2-1 home win over Chelsea last weekend, with a top performance, and a result that put Villa into the top six, with a game in hand over the chasing pack.
Villa have only played three games away from home so far this season, and there have been a couple of good results in the win over Liverpool at Anfield, and the derby victory over Birmingham City.
Things slipped a bit with the 1-2 defeat at Blackburn Rovers, but sandwiched around that have been four home games resulting in three wins and a draw, and Martin O'Neill's men will make the short trip in good confidence.
Friday Night Team News :
Aston Villa have no fresh injury concerns so could start with the same starting line-up that beat Chelsea.
Fit-again defender Luke Young is vying to at least make the substitutes' bench for the first time this season.
Head to Head
Five years ago, Wolves had a season in the top flight and lost both games against Aston Villa.
The Betting Verdict
Aston Villa's early elimination from the Europa League has meant that they can be fully focused on league football, and the results seem to have improved as a consequence.
Wolves will try to make it tough for Aston Villa here, but the visitors appear to have the players needed to make a breakthrough, and I have the away win as a more likely result.
The price on Villa is very, very good, and perhaps that's a reflection of the "derby" nature of the clash, but to my mind there is still a lot of value in those odds for an away win.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Wolves 0-1 Aston Villa
