Eng. Championship
2011-09-17 - Leicester City vs Brighton
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football : English Championship
Saturday 17 September 2011 - Kickoff 3pm
Leicester City
The Championship favourites, alongside West Ham United, at the beginning of the season have not had things their own way in the early stages of this campaign. Sven Goran-Eriksson is under pressure in the job as Leicester have spent a lot of money with the sole aim of reaching the Premier League in May.
After a stuttering start at home in particular, Leicester have picked up just 8 points from the first 18 on offer. They have lost twice already at the King Power Stadium, but did manage to win their last home game when playing another newly promoted side in Southampton. Leicester have scored 4 goals and conceded 6 in their opening 3 League games at home.
While it has been a tough start to the new season, the Foxes are unbeaten in their last 4 games in all competitions. The back to back home defeats they have suffered to start the season was a disappointment, but they have won 12 of their last 21 at this stadium and the win over Southampton may have removed a mental block of playing with the expectations they have at home.
Jermaine Beckford and Paul Konchesky were injured in the draw with Barnsley last week, but both are expected to shake off the knocks for this game. Paul Gallacher is definitely out for the next month after suffering an injury in the same game.
Brighton
Gus Poyet has Brighton playing football in the correct way and the League One Champions of last season are flying high in the Championship as they look to emulate Norwich by achieving back to back promotions. The new stadium has given the club a feel good factor that they have taken into their League game.
The Seagulls sit on top of the perch in the Championship having recorded wins in 5 of their 6 League games and they remain unbeaten. They have been impressive away from home where they have won all 3 League games while scoring 5 goals and conceding 1. Brighton currently lead the way from another newly promoted club in Southampton, and they have the best defence so far in the League.
The good feeling for the club will run into next week as they have a 3rd Round Carling Cup tie against Liverpool in front of their own fans. Brighton will be hoping they can cause a shock in that game and extend their 9 game unbeaten run in all competitions. Brighton have not tasted defeat in their last 11 away games since the back end of last season.
Will Hoskins is back in the squad for Gus Poyet's side and there are no other injury worries to concern the manager.
Head to Head
They last met in the 2008/09 season when both clubs were in League One- on that occasion, Brighton won the game at home and drew 0-0 with Leicester here.
In fact, Leicester have won just 1 of the last 6 League meetings between the sides and failed to win any of their last 3 at home against their visitors.
Prediction
I can't really pick a winner between these two teams at the prices on offer, but with a gun to my head I would pick the home side to end another promoted teams unbeaten run as they did to Southampton.
The one thing I have noticed about Leicester City games is the number of goals that have been scored in them recently- their home games are averaging 4 goals a game in the last 7 they have played there and with these attacking sides, you have to guess we may see a few more on Saturday.
Leicester have added to their firepower with Jermaine Beckford, a proven scorer in the lower Leagues, while Brighton have not failed to find the net in 22 League games.
At the odds on offer, backing 3 goals or more to be scored looks the way to go.
The Pick :
Leicester City 3-2 Brighton
