Eng. Championship
2011-01-01 - Watford vs Portsmouth
A Sports Betting Pick by Caged
Watford have won both their televised matches this season at big prices, can they make it three in a row when they take on struggling Portsmouth at Vicarage Road on Saturday night?watford
Home Record W4 D4 L3 GF20 GA17
Watford did us proud a few weeks back winning at big odds at unbeaten league leaders QPR, and that high profile televised result has seen a sharp decline in odds offered for the Hornets. However, odds against prices at Vicarage Road looks too big a price to pass up against a similarly inconsistent Portsmouth side, especially when you consider Pompeys selection problems.
Malky Mackays side have that classic blend of youthful energy and talent matched with inexperience and inconsistency. They are a great bet at big odds, but regularly let punters down at shorter prices, particularly at home to sides where they have to make the game rather than counterstrike with pace and lethal finishing.
At home Watford have a very ordinary record, but recent home form is much improved with wins over highly fancied Cardiff and Leicester and Mackays side haven’t lost at home since 23rd October.
Portsmouth
Away Record W4 D2 L6 GF13 GA18
Under normal circumstances Portsmouth would be the value play in this matchup but Manager Steve Cotterill has some real availability problems to deal with.
Pompey are hopeful of signing players before Saturday evening but they may well miss Richard Hughes, Michael Brown and Tom Kilbey as another appearance would trigger contract extensions or appearance payments Pompey cant afford.
These issues may be resolved before Saturday, but even then they will miss key striker Dave Kitson through suspension.
Portsmouths financial troubles mean that Cotterill has had to work with the thinnest of squads, and any regular first teamers missing are a real problem.
Portsmouth lost their last visit to Vicarage Road in 2007 and havent won there since 1996, a run stretching six matches.
Back Watford to compound Pompeys misery.
The Pick :
Watford 2 Portsmouth 1
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Watford to win at 2.1 (Ladbrokes)
