Eng. Championship
2012-09-18 - Watford vs Brighton
A Sports Betting Pick by Lamps
Football : England : Championship
Tuesday 18th September - Kickoff 7:45pm
Watford
Zola's Watford just haven't really click this season. The Hornets have a whole new team virtually and as expected it's tough to gel immediately. As a result Watford have just 6 points from 5 having won 2 games and lost 3.
Watford won 2 of their first 3 but are now on a 2 game losing run that has seen them slide down the table. Away from home they look really vulnerable with some very naive defending. Losses at Derby (5-1) and Bolton (2-1) were very 1 sided, even the latter was all Bolton. So much so that the Watford fullback scored direct from a cross which he admitted he didn't mean!
At Vicarage Road the Hornets were beaten by a last minute Ipswich winner but then responded to beat Birmingham 2-0. As mentioned above since then they have lost 2 games and really need to get something in this one.
Watford have just 2 wins in the last 5 at home with 2 defeats both to nil. I sometimes worry about Watford if they fall behind and with many of the side playing in their first season in this division it may take time to bed them in. As a result this might be a year of consolidation at Watford which makes them very vulnerable.
Brighton
3rd place Albion have really turned the screw in recent weeks winning 3 backs in row to get themselves onto 10 points and a top 6 place. The visit Vicarage Road with a real chance of taking something here and this looks a very interesting game on Tuesday night.
Poyet's side lost at Hull (1-0) and then drew to Cardiff (0-0) to make it an uneasy start to the season. However in the last 3 weeks it's 3 wins with Barnsley (5-1), Burnley (1-3) and Sheffield Wednesday all being put to the sword in recent weeks.
This side has goals in them with 11 scored in the last 3 and just 2 conceded. Under Poyet Brighton will have lots of the ball and will always look to attack. Up against a struggling Watford they should have plenty of possession and ultimately will be a big goal threat throughout.
Away from home the side snapped a horrible 8 game winless run with their 3-1 win at Burnley. This side has always struggled away from the Amex with the side failing to score in 4 of the last 5 Championship road games. As mentioned above, I think they will definitely create chances on Tuesday it's just whether they build on that big win at Burnley or go back to their old helpless away ways.
Betting Verdict
There is a nice price on the visitors who look the better side of the 2. However, Brighton's away form is horrendous and 1 win doesn't just make them good travelers.
A bonus for Brighton is that they have had longer to prepare than Watford and obviously are in the better form having won their last 3. Interestingly Watford haven't lost to Brighton in 5 games and in last season's corresponding fixture Watford won 1-0.
I think this will be really tight and I don't see a lot happening early. Brighton will look to impose their passing game whilst Watford will like to be in the game for as long possible having conceded early in recent games.
I like the time of the first goal at 27 mins or over at just under evens. Often teams crumble as the half goes on against Brighton especially if they can't get the ball off them. Watford have been involved in 2 under games this season at home and I don't envisage an early goal in this game.
If forced to pick a side I think the visitors are better value but I can't trust a side with such a bad away record. 1 win changes nothing for me and to win 4 straight in this league is incredibly tough.
Good Luck
The Pick :
Watford 1-1 Brighton
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Time of First Goal 27 Mins or Later at 1.95 with VC Bet
