Eng. Championship
2012-09-18 - Blackpool vs Middlesbrough
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Championship
Tuesday 18 September 2012 - Kick Off 8pm
Blackpool
When a team misses out on promotion through the Play Off Final, the next season can be a tough one at the early stage to get over the 'hangover' of disappointment. That has not been the case at Blackpool so far as Ian Holloway has the side fired up to get back to the Premier League.
Blackpool are currently 2nd in the Championship after earning 10 points from their opening games in the League and that leaves them just 1 short of what Blackburn have earned to top the table. They have won both of their home games this season, scoring 8 goals and conceding 1.
The team may feel a little better about returning to Bloomfield Road after a couple of tough away games have seen them pick up just 1 point. They have won their last 5 League games at home, while Blackpool are now unbeaten in their last 10 in front of their own fans in the Championship.
Stephen Crainey and Barry Ferguson are pushing to return to the starting line-up for this game, while Ian Holloway has the luxury of picking from a fully fit squad.
Middlesbrough
Outside of Middlesbrough, I don't think there were a lot of people expecting this side to challenge for a place in the Premier League this season. However, they were close to making the Play Offs last season and clearly still feel confident of their ability to finish a little higher this one and have a chance of making it back to the top flight.
They are 7th in the Championship before this set of games, although that is down to their form at the Riverside Stadium where they have won all 3 League games so far. It has been a different story for Boro on their travels as they have lost both away League games, scoring 1 goal and conceding 4.
Middlesbrough have won a couple of away games at lower League opposition in the Capital One Cup, but their defeats at Barnsley and Millwall in the League are disappointing. They have actually lost 4 of their last 5 away games in the Championship and they have won just 1 of their last 9 on their travels in the League.
There are no new injury worries for Tony Mowbray ahead of this game.
Head to Head
Blackpool have dominated the most recent meetings between the sides, winning 3 of their last 4 League clashes over the last three seasons.
The Seasiders have won both home games against them in these seasons, including a comfortable 3-0 win last season thanks to three second half goals.
Prediction
Blackpool made a very fast start to the season as they won their first 3 League games, but a couple of tough away games has curtailed their momentum a little bit.
However, they have been very good at Bloomfield Road and their attacking style of football puts teams on the backfoot here while away sides are always likely to invite more pressure on themselves when the crowd is against them.
I think that is one of the key reasons why Blackpool usually have a much tougher time on their travels when they are too open going forward and allow teams to work chances against them. In games at Bloomfield Road, I expect the tempo is dictated by the home side and that can eventually take its toll on the defending team.
Middlesbrough have lost their 2 away games at sides that are expected to be fighting to avoid relegation and they have struggled in recent appearances at Bloomfield Road as they can't quite keep Blackpool off of them.
I just think that pressure may be telling again in this one so will back the home side to get the three points in this one.
The Pick :
Blackpool 3-1 Middlesbrough
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Blackpool to win @ 1.92
