Eng. Championship
2011-09-10 - Barnsley vs Leicester City
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football : English Championship
Saturday 10 September 2011 - Kickoff 3pm
Barnsley
Barnsley were expected to be one of those sides that struggled this season, although they have been tipped for relegation for a few seasons now as the financial shape of the club is not the best and they struggled to keep their best players. They have made an average start to this season as Keith Hill brings his philosophies to the players.
The Tykes have picked up 5 points from their opening 5 games of the season and sit in 16th place in the Championship. The problem for the team has been their form at home, where they are 0-0-2 in the League, scoring 1 goal and conceding 4. Barnsley have also been beaten at home in the Carling Cup.
After a 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest, Barnsley lost 3 consecutive games at home and only scored 1 goal in their opening 4 games in all competitions. Barnsley have picked up 4 points from their last 2 League games at Reading and Millwall, but goals could be a problem as they have not scored in 4 of their 6 games in all competitions.
Goran Lovre is out for the next month, while Ricardo Vaz Te is still not in the squad. Craig Davies and Reuben Noble-Lazarus join Miles Addison on the sidelines.
Leicester City
Sven Goran-Eriksson realised his side are pretty solid in all departments but were missing a finisher that could put all their good work to use. He failed in persuading Bristol City to part with Nicky Maynard and Rangers to release Nikica Jelavic, but I think they did a good piece of business in bringing in Jermaine Beckford from Everton, a proven scorer at this level.
Leicester have made an up and down start to the new season, picking up 7 points in their opening 5 games as they have compiled a 2-1-2 record. Much like West Ham, Leicester may be feeling the pressure of playing at home as there is a lot of expectation of them from the stands while opposing teams play with the freedom of 'nothing to lose' against a better team. The Foxes are 1-1-0 away from home in the League, scoring 3 goals and conceding 2, and they have also won at Rotherham and Bury in the Carling Cup.
The team come into this game on an unbeaten run of 3 games, and won their last outing at home against pacesetters Southampton. They would have had an 100% away record in all competitions this season if they had held on to a 0-2 lead at Nottingham Forest, but they had to settle for a point when conceding a late goal.
David Nugent misses out so Beckford is in line to make his debut. Michael Ball is a doubt and needs to pass a late fitness test.
Head to Head
These two have been in the same Division for 4 of the last 5 seasons and suffice to say Leicester usually enjoy the fixture.
The Foxes have won 7 of the 8 League games they have played in that time and won both games last season.
Leicester had won 3 of the 4 trips they have made to Oakwell in those seasons, and they have only conceded 2 goals in 8 games against Barnsley.
Prediction
Leicester look like an excellent choice this week as they have been priced at odds against in many places to pick up the 3 points. They have plenty of quality in the side and I think the signing of Beckford from Everton could be the final piece in the puzzle.
Barnsley have been struggling for goals and have not kept a clean sheet at home this season. That does not bode well for them in this fixture, especially considering the head to head record.
Leicester clearly enjoy playing Barnsley and I think they have a good chance of extending their winning run against them here.
It might be a tight contest in terms of goals, but I feel Leicester are capable of scoring in a game where one goal may be enough to decide the outcome.
The Pick :
Barnsley 0-1 Leicester City
