Eng. Championship
2011-10-22 - Leicester City vs Millwall
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football : English Championship
Saturday 22 October 2011 - Kickoff 3pm
Leicester City
Leicester City are still more than in touch with the top teams in the Championship, although they will want to find more consistency in their play. Sven Goran-Eriksson will have been very pleased to see Jermaine Beckford score his first goal for the club since moving here from Everton.
The Foxes are 9th in the Championship table, 7 points behind Southampton who lead the way and that is not a bad position for the pre-season joint favourites to win the Championship before the season had begun. Leicester are 4-0-2 at the King Power Stadium, scoring 11 goals and conceding 6.
The team had been unbeaten in 9 games in all competitions before losing at Birmingham City last weekend, but they are clearly not dwelling on that result as they beat Watford 2-0 here during the week. Leicester have won their last 4 home games in the League, the last two coupled with a clean sheet.
Matt Mills is still suspended following his sending off last week and Sean St Ledger is expected to continue deputising for the captain. Lee Peltier was injured in the win over Watford and may miss out here.
Millwall
Millwall have had a tough start to this campaign, one where there was plenty of expectation from the supporters before a ball had been kicked. Kenny Jackett has done a good job at the New Den so he still retains the support of the fans who believe he will be able to turn things around.
The Lions will start this game in 22nd place in the Championship having gained just 9 points from their 12 League games so far. Millwall have won just 1 League game this season and only Doncaster have scored less goals than them. They are 0-2-4 away from home, scoring 4 goals and conceding 12.
After a tough run of form, there may be shoots of optimism growing at Millwall as they earned 2 draws over the last week which stopped a run of 4 consecutive defeats. The team had lost 4 away games in a row before earning a draw at Middlesbrough last week, a run in which they had conceded 13 goals.
Jay Simpson should be given the chance to shine in the starting line up having scored against Brighton during the week. Shaun Batt is out as is John Marquis.
Head to Head
Leicester City beat Millwall 4-2 here last season, although that was their first home win in 3 games.
Prediction
Leicester City should be capable of extending their home run of wins against a Millwall team that is improving but whose confidence must be close to the edge, especially if they fall behind.
Sven Goran-Eriksson's team have plenty of attacking options and they seem to be happier at home after a rough start, free-scoring at the moment and it is hard to imagine how Millwall will be able to keep them if they display that form again.
With the recent results both sides have had, I think Leicester will win this with a bit to spare so I am going to take them on the Asian Handicap to do so with the knowledge that half my stake will be returned if they only manage to win by 1 goal.
The Pick :
Leicester City 3-1 Millwall
