Eng. Championship
2012-10-27 - Bristol City vs Hull City
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Championship
Saturday 27 October 2012 - Kick Off 5:20pm
This game is live on TV
Bristol City
If you're a neutral and you get down to Ashton Gate, more often than not this season you would have enjoyed a high-scoring game. That won't be the case for a fan of Bristol City though as they have been losing those games and that has seen them slipping down the Championship table.
At the start of the weekend, the Robins are 21st in the Championship with their 11 points meaning they are just 2 clear of the relegation spots and only 4 ahead of bottom side Ipswich Town. That gap will definitely be closed by the time Bristol City kick off the late game, while they may even be in the relegation zone at that point. The side are 2-1-3 at home this season, scoring 17 goals and conceding 16.
Bristol City have failed to win any of their last 6 games, while they have now lost 4 of their last 5 following a 3-4 loss to Burnley on Tuesday night. They won back to back games at home to open the season, but have since lost 3 of 4 here at Ashton Gate and have conceded at least 3 goals in all of those losses.
Hull City
Steve Bruce was hoping his side may be able to mount something of a promotion challenge this season, but the expectation at the start of the season was probably that Hull City would fall short. They have made a decent start to the season and that means they are still in amongst the leading contenders in the Division.
Hull are 9th in the Championship, but it has been the nature of this Division for the last few seasons that they are still more than in touch with the leaders, finding themselves 6 behind the leaders Leicester City. They have a 2-1-3 record away from home to open the season, scoring 5 goals and conceding 8 in those games.
The side have lost 4 of their last 6 games in the Championship to fall slightly off the pace set, but they have been a streaky team all season. After losing 3 straight, Hull won back to back games before another loss at Middlesbrough during the week. This mixed bag of results is highlighted by the fact that Hull have won 2 and lost 3 of their last 5 away games, interchanging those wins and losses.
Head to Head
Bristol City had beaten Hull City 9 times in a row going back to the 1974/75 season, but they had to share the points last season with a 1-1 draw.
Prediction
To be perfectly frank, finding a winner is tough in this contest as neither side has been in great form, although Hull City have at least shown more ability to manage the three points in recent games.
However, Bristol City games have seen the goals pouring in and there is every chance that will be the same on Saturday evening.
The last two Hull away games has seen a total of 3 goals scored, but the previous 3 had 14 goals involved, while the defensive frailties of Bristol City have been clear to see with the side conceding in all 7 home games in all competitions, while they have conceded at least 2 in 4 of their last 5 at Ashton Gate.
That isn't to say that Bristol City won't score themselves as they are averaging almost 3 goals a game at home in the League this season and so the 1.85 on the over 2.5 goals looks 'too good to be true'.
I hate it when a pick seems that way, but all the form this season suggests the over is the call, while 7 of the last 9 games between these teams at Ashton Gate have also finished with at least 3 goals shared in the game.
The Pick :
Bristol City 2-2 Hull City
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.85
