Eng. Championship
2012-08-25 - Blackburn Rovers vs Leicester City
A Sports Betting Pick by Lamps
Football : England : Championship
Saturday 25th August - Kickoff 3:00pm
Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers currently occupy 4th place in the Championship following on from their relegation last season. With a win and a draw to their name, it's been a pleasing start for Steve Keen. On Saturday Rovers host Leicester in a clash between two of the favourites for promotion back into the Premiership.
On the opening day Rovers led Ipswich up until the last 7 minutes of the game when an unfortunate Lowe own goal cost them 3 points. A point was fair given Ipswich had the more chances and perhaps it was a wake up call to Rovers that there are no easy games in this league.
In their second game, Rovers had a tough battle with Hull which eventually ended 1-0. Kazim-Richards got the winner to add to his goal at Ipswich in game one. Again this was a tight game that could easily have ended in a draw but that extra bit of quality saw Rovers through.
Whilst the game ended in a Rovers win it's been back to back games where the opposition has out "shot" Rovers and they haven't dominated possession as I'd expect them to, it's not a worry as points are all that matter but still they are not a dominant force so far in this league.
Another negative is that 2 goal man Kazim-Richards is a big doubt in this one going off with a knee injury midweek. Rochina may be moved up front in his absence or Nuno Gomes will play the lone role. Murphy, Dunn and Pedersen are all Premiership quality and should enjoy playing in the Championship. Whoever plays up front for this side should get chances with that midfield and I expect them to produce a few goals on Saturday.
Leicester City
The Foxes massively disappointed their ante post backers last season (one right here), tipped as Championship favourites they just didn't settle and even sacked their manager midway through the season. This year they are still tipped up there but not favourites, Pearson is back in charge and he must at least make the playoffs this season.
With 1 win and 1 defeat, Leicester sit in 10th right now and a result here at Ewood will really send shockwaves through the division. However, judging by the first two games that doesn't seem all that likely.
The 2-0 win over Peterborough was expected given one is a selling club and the other a Championship contender. Leicester scored 2 goals from their 4 shots on target which was efficient but hardly inspiring given the gulf in class between both sides.
Pearson's men were soon brought down a level midweek as newly promoted Charlton won 2-1 at the Valley. In a statistically better match for Leicester they bombarded the Charlton goal with 15 attempts in an end to end game. Unfortunately they didn't take their chances whilst the home keeper produced some good saves.
Like Rovers, Leicester have good attacking options in the shape of Vardy, Beckford and Nugent up top. Supporting King has already scored this season whilst Dyer and Danns also have goals in them. This looks like an end to end game where the side who takes their chances will come out on top.
Betting Verdict
The top quote of 2.50 for Rovers looks a good price given they are the home side. Some firms have them as low as 2.20 so there is a real variance in opinion over Blackburn.
Both Rovers games have ended under 2.50 goals with Keen stating he wants his goal leaky side of last season to really tighten up this campaign. The Foxes conceded 2 in their last away game at Charlton and last season 63 goals were seen on their travels. That's well over 2.5 goals and nearly 3 a game.
I wanted to back Blackburn in this one as I feel they just have too much for Leicester but instead I'll opt for over 2.50 goals. Both to score is odds on and I think that will happen, however I can't pick a winner as on their day Leicester could surprise Rovers.
The likely loss of Kazim-Richards did put me off this one but I think with Gomes and the supporting midfielders that they can find a couple of goals. Likewise the attackers that Pearson has at his disposal will not be as wasteful two games running and this could be a shootout so long as we get into half time with a goal in the game.
Good Luck
The Pick :
Blackburn Rovers 3-2 Leicester City
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Over 2.50 goals at evens general price
