Eng. Championship
2011-12-10 - Southampton vs Blackpool
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Championship
Saturday 10 December 2011 - Kick Off 12:45pm
This game is live on TV
Southampton
Southampton will be looking to continue their strong home form this season in a bid to maintain their lead in the Championship as we come into a hectic period for all clubs in England. St Mary's has developed into a real fortress during the reign of Nigel Adkins and has formed the foundation of their success so far this season.
The Saints have won all 10 League games played in front of their own fans this season, scoring 26 goals in those games and only conceding 6. That record has helped Southampton to 42 points so far this season, leaving them 2 points clear of West Ham in 2nd and 5 points clear of 3rd placed Cardiff City. Southampton are the top home scorers in the League this season and only Birmingham have conceded less goals so far.
The team have lost 2 of their last 3 games in the League, with both losses coming at struggling Bristol City and Doncaster Rovers without Southampton scoring a goal. They were also forced to come from 0-1 down to beat Hull City in their last home game, but that was only the 2nd goal they have conceded at home in their last 6 games at St Mary's.
Rickie Lambert is a doubt for Nigel Adkins and would be a big miss if he does not take part. David Connolly, Richard Chaplow, Radhi Jaidi and Dan Seabourne are all absent for the home side.
Blackpool
Ian Holloway has not taken a step back from the philosophy which saw his Blackpool side entertain the Premier League last season and they are making a challenge to once again earn promotion this year. There were a number of changes made to the squad over the Summer, but they are still playing as a team with the belief they should be in the top flight.
Blackpool are 8th in the Championship and are only 3 points behind Hull City who currently occupy the final Play Off spot. They only a further 7 points behind West Ham in one of the automatic promotion spots, but will want to improve their away form to get things going. The Seasiders are 2-4-4 away from home, scoring 14 goals and conceding 17.
The team have only lost 1 of their last 6 games in the Championship, picking up 11 points from a possible 18 that were available. Blackpool have won just 1 of their last 10 away games in all competitions and they have conceded at least 2 goals in 5 of their last 6 away games.
Keith Southern will be missing, and I wish the best to him as he has surgery to remove a tumour. Alex Baptiste is out while Elliot Grandin is short of match fitness.
Head to Head
Southampton beat Blackpool 2-0 in the FA Cup here last season, although Blackpool did rest the majority of their starters in that game with the Premier League their priority.
They last met in the League in the 2008/09 season with Blackpool winning the game here 0-1.
Prediction
I can see why Southampton are the odds on favourites to win this game as they have been very good at home all season, while Blackpool have been beaten handily at West Ham, Burnley and Leicester City in recent games.
However, I am going to play the Saints to be winning this game at half time and then go on to win the game. They have been leading at half time in 7 of their 10 League games at St Mary's, although not in the last 2 played there, and they have scored 14 goals before the break while only conceding 3.
Blackpool's defeats at West Ham, Burnley and Leicester have all seen them falling behind before the half time whistle and they have gone on to lose those games.
You have to think Southampton will look to put Blackpool under pressure from the beginning of the game, although it could be tough for them if Lambert is missing from the starting line up. However, the odds of 2.50 for the Saints to be leading at half time and going on to win looks a little big in this situation and I will be backing that scenario.
The Pick :
Southampton 2-0 Blackpool
