English FA CUP
2011-01-29 - Watford vs Brighton
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football : English FA Cup 4th Round
Saturday 29 January 2011 - Kickoff 3pm
Watford
Malky Mackay must be applauded for the job his is doing at Vicarage Round under some real financial restrictions. The Hornets have really struggled since being relegated from the Premier League a few seasons ago and were annually involved in a relegation scrap in this Division, but Mackay has fans dreaming of another run in Wonderland next season.
Watford are 7th in the Championship and find themselves only 3 points behind Leeds United in the last Play Off place. However, Watford have 2 games in hand over the Yorkshiremen and will find themselves much closer to an automatic promotion spot if they can win those 2 games. They are 6-4-3 at Vicarage Road this season, scoring 25 goals and conceding 17.
The team suffered a 4-2 defeat at Cardiff City last weekend in a topsy turvy game where they were 3-0 down after 20 minutes, fought back to 3-2, only to concede another goal late. Watford had won 7 in a row before that defeat, including a 4-1 win over Hartlepool in the 3rd Round of the FA Cup. Watford have not been beaten in 7 games at home, winning their last 5.
Andros Townsend, who is on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, is cup-tied having played against Charlton for Spurs this season. Josh Walker is another play cup-tied while Dan Cowie is injured and John Eustace is a doubt. Aston Villa have given Andreas Wienmann permission to play.
Brighton
I have had a soft spot for Brighton since studying near the town a few years ago, and it is nice to see them in a position where promotion to the Championship edges closer. They will be fondly remembered in this competition from reaching the Final of 1984 when they took on Manchester United and only fell in a replay. Now Gus Poyet is looking to bring the good times back.
The Seagulls top League One this season and hold a 6 point gap to 3rd placed Huddersfield. The team also enjoys an extra game to play than the 2 teams directly below them as they look to secure automatic promotion this season. Brighton are 5-3-4 away from the Withdean Stadium this season and have scored 16 and conceded 10 in those games.
Brighton have won 5 of their last 6 games in all competitions and have already surprised 1 team from the Championship this season when beating Portsmouth at home in the last round. While they have been enjoying a successful patch, most of those games were played at home and the team has actually lost 2 of their last 3 away games.
Radostin Kishishev will need a late fitness test to determine his fitness. Alan Navarro, Jim McNulty and Jamie Smith are all out through injury while Chris Noone is cup-tied.
Head to Head
Watford and Brighton have not met since the 2005-06 season in the Championship. Watford won the game at Brighton that season, but the game at Vicarage Road ended 1-1.
Brighton have drawn their last 2 visits to Watford, both 1-1, and Watford have not scored more than 1 goal against them in the last 8 games between the sides.
Prediction
I was a little surprised to see Watford priced at as high as they are, especially more so when considering they played a strong team when beating Hartlepool in the last round. The team have been in brilliant form of late, and showed the heart and character they have in almost turning around a 3-0 deficit to pick up a point from Cardiff.
The Hornets are a definite threat to those teams looking for automatic promotion to the Premier League this season.
Brighton have also been in very good form, but they have been a little shaky away from home in the last couple of games. This is a tough test against a higher rated team and Gus Poyet has rested players in previous rounds. Whether he does it again, we will see.
The price on the home win is high enough for me to warrant an interest and I will be picking them to win.
The Pick :
Watford 2-1 Brighton
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll take Watford to WINFollow me on Twitter @DavindaAulak- the direct link is below
