Eng. Championship
2012-09-29 - Barnsley vs Ipswich Town
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Championship
Saturday 29 September 2012 - Kick Off 3pm
Barnsley
Keith Hill said his side deserved more from a recent game at Blackburn Rovers when they conceded late to lose 2-1, but he would have been much happier when Barnsley thumped Birmingham City at St Andrews last time out. Hill has been really doing a good job at Oakwell as he looks to keep his side out of the relegation battle.
The win last week at Birmingham moved Barnsley up to 13th in the Championship and they have 10 points on the season which means they are only 6 points behind Brighton who lead the table. They are 2-1-0 at home this season in the League, scoring 3 goals and conceding 1.
Barnsley have lost just 1 of their last 4 games in the League overall and they are also unbeaten in 4 League games at Oakwell. Goals have been a problem for the team at Oakwell and they have actually failed to score more than 1 in a single game here in 10 League games in a row.
Ipswich Town
It had been rumoured in the press last week that Harry Redknapp was going to be given the job at Portman Road as Paul Jewell is struggling to get this side doing what he wants. Jewell admitted he has spoken to Redknapp since then and he is not worried about the people lining up to take his job, but Ipswich Town are desperate for a win now.
A 1-2 to loss to Charlton at home last week dropped Ipswich down to 23rd in the Championship with 5 points to their name. The fans aren't happy with the direction the side are taking, so getting away from Portman Road may just been good news for them. Ipswich are 1-0-2 away from home so far this season, scoring 1 goal but conceding 8.
It's funny to think that Ipswich made a decent start to the season by picking up 4 points from their opening 2 games, but 4 defeats from a 5 game run without a win has seen them fall down the table. They have lost back to back away games at Blackpool and Middlesbrough after previously losing just 1 of their last 7 away games in the Championship.
Head to Head
Ipswich Town did the double over Barnsley in the League last season including a 3-5 win here at Oakwell.
Previous to last season, Barnsley had lost just 1 in their last 5 home games against Ipswich and had won 3 of those games.
Prediction
The result of this match may very well depend on whether Paul Jewell has lost the dressing room at Ipswich Town as I don't believe this is a side that will continue losing games and I expect them to move away from the relegation zone sooner rather than later.
On the other hand, Barnsley have been a real surprise this season as Keith Hill continues taking 'unfashionable' sides and getting them playing above their station. He did brilliantly at Rochdale to help them to their first promotion in 36 years a couple of seasons ago and he has his side in touch with the leaders in the Championship.
I know they banged in 5 goals at Birmingham last week, but the lack of goals at Oakwell has to be a concern for Hill and most markets are tough to read.
However, I feel we could see a late goal in the game as all 3 Ipswich away games have seen 90th minute goals and if they are not interested in playing for their manager, they could mail the game in with ten minutes or so remaining and allow Barnsley to ensure they take all the points.
On the other hand, if they are playing for their manager, there is every chance Ipswich are pushing forward for a winning goal or an equaliser late and their concentration has been tested in recent weeks.
Late goals have been the norm when these sides have met with the last 3 games at Barnsley all seeing goals in the final ten minutes. Paddy Power are giving 1.92 that there will be a goal in the final 15 minutes in this game and that is what I'll pick.
The Pick :
Barnsley 2-1 Ipswich Town
