Eng. Championship
2010-08-21 - Hull City vs Watford
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football : English Championship
Saturday 21 August 2010 - Kickoff 3pm
Hull City
Hull City came down from the Premier League last season, but much like Portsmouth, they have not been a popular pick for one of those sides that could go up this season. Nigel Pearson was given the full time manager role after Iain Dowie finished last season as the 'Football Consultant' and Pearson will have to manage the financial side of things as Hull were claiming they would be in dire straits if they were relegated last season.
Things may have seemed easy for the Hull City support when their team won 2-0 over Swansea here at the KC Stadium on the opening day of the season. However the Tigers were tamed in The Den last time out as Millwall rode roughshed over them in a 4-0 win for the Lions. Hull will be hoping they can translate their 6-7-7 home record from the Premier League last season into a more positive one in a weaker league this time around.
Jay Simpson was signed from Arsenal and is line to make his debut for Hull here. The impressive signing of Robert Koren may be given his full debut also but Craig Fagan is likely to miss out.
Watford
Many felt the financial constraints as well as relying heavily on the youth element at Vicarage Road would mean all roads would lead to League One this season. However the side is expected to be improved by loan signings before the transfer window closes as Malky Mackay looks to improve on his teams start to the season.
Watford stunned Norwich City in the first match of the season with a 2-3 win at Carrow Road but then threw away a 2 goal lead against Coventry City at home last weekend to split the points. This is an impressive start for one of the favourites to get relegated this season although they will like to improve their 4-6-13 away record from last season where they scored 25 goals and conceded 42. Only 3 teams conceded more away goals while only 4 others lost more away games.
There are no fresh injury concerns for Watford. Jonathan Bond remains as cover for Scott Loach in goal but there should be no changes to the team from last weekend.
Head to Head
Hull City won their last 3 games against Watford, all in 2008 when the Tigers managed to gain promotion to the Premier League. 2 of those wins came in the Play Off match these 2 contested that season.
Hull have won their last 2 home games against Watford, their only ones in the last 6 matches played on Humberside between the sides since 1988.
Prediction
If Nigel Pearson was not sure of the task in hand at Hull City, last weeks 4-0 loss at Millwall would certainly have brought it to his attention. Much of their success this season will be based on their form at the KC Stadium, but they should still feel they have as good a chance as any one else in this closely contested division.
Watford have made a great start to their new campaign as their young squad shows little fear so far. Mackay will be disappointed in losing a 2 goal lead last weekend and will want to improve on their away record which left them down towards the bottom of the League last season. They have already won at a favoured team this season and will hope to make it 2 here.
I think Hull City are going to be too good for many teams at the KC Stadium this season and will want to show good form away if they are to challenge for a place in the Premier League. Watford were due to struggle, and seemed to have continued where they left last season in terms of goals conceded.
The fact that Hull are a little more solid at the back means I will play them to win this game at odds against.
The Pick :
Hull City 2-1 Watford
