Eng. Championship
2012-04-09 - Cardiff City vs Watford
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Championship
Monday 9 April 2012 - Kick Off 3pm
Cardiff City
Reaching the Carling Cup Final was a real achievement for Cardiff City this season and they were only a penalty shoot-out away from lifting that trophy from Liverpool. However, the real demand from the fans is to earn promotion to the Premier League, as their rivals Swansea have, and mix with the likes of Liverpool on a regular basis.
Cardiff are currently 6th in the Championship, 1 point ahead of Brighton in the final Play Off position, and there are a host of clubs hoping to take this position off of Cardiff. They have a 10-5-5 record at home this season, scoring 33 goals and conceding 27.
The form book shows that they are unbeaten in their last 5 Championship games, but they have only won 1 of those games, which came against Middlesbrough on Saturday. Cardiff have just begun struggling at home in recent weeks, winning 1 of their last 7 home games in the League and they have drawn their last 3 here. In fact, Cardiff have failed to score in 4 of their last 5 games in front of their own fans.
Kenny Miller looks set to miss out having come off injured against Middlesbrough. Rudy Gestede is another forward who is doubtful after suffering a knock in that game.
Watford
Watford were one of the in-form clubs in the Championship as they look for a fine end to the season to perhaps sneak into the Play Offs. However, a 0-2 home loss to Blackpool on Good Friday looks to have ended those hopes, although they should still be up for the challenge of facing their former manager.
They are 13th in the Championship table and find themselves 7 points behind their opponents who occupy the final Play Off berth. Watford will bring in a 6-7-7 away record to the Cardiff City Stadium, scoring 19 goals and conceding 26 in those games.
The 0-2 loss to Blackpool was actually the first defeat the Hornets have had in 8 League games and confidence should still be reasonably high considering they have won 3 in a row away from home and only been beaten in 1 of their last 7 away games in the Championship.
Adrian Mariappa will continue to miss out, but there are no other injury concerns for Watford following the game on Good Friday.
Head to Head
These two sides drew 1-1 at Vicarage Road earlier this season.
Cardiff City have won their last 3 home games against Watford, although the away side had won on their 3 visits prior to that run in this part of Wales.
Prediction
With Cardiff City being in a position where they need to keep winning, the layers know they are likely to get interest in the home side, despite looking very short at odds on to win this game.
Yes, Cardiff have a good home record against Watford and they have won half of their home games, but they have not been in good form here recently and Watford have really been performing well in recent weeks before the loss on Good Friday to Blackpool.
Watford have only lost 1 of their last 7 away games in the Championship and have earned a draw at West Ham in that time. They should also be motivated in performing against their former manager and I can definitely see the away side causing some problems.
I really did consider taking them at 5.00 to win this game, but I think Cardiff have enough about them to dominate play and the away side may have to settle for a point that doesn't really help them. However, with the Play Offs already looking a long shot, it will be a point Watford will take as they look to finish the season with a positive run that will hopefully carry through to next season.
The Pick :
Cardiff City 1-1 Watford
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back the Draw @ 3.80
