Eng. Championship
2013-01-12 - Middlesborough vs Watford
A Sports Betting Pick by Addicted
Football : England : Championship
Saturday, January 12th, 2013, 3:00PM GMT
PREVIEW
Middlesborough sit 4th, 2 places and 7 points ahead of Watford. Middlesborough have beaten Watford in 3 of the last 4 meetings, and I have then as the likely winners of this encounter, where both sides will be wary of dropping points as the sit in such a lofty league spot.
Middlesborough's last league game saw them lose 3-1 to Derby, but that game did come away from home. At home their form has been much, much better, offensively and defensively. Hastings were thrashing 4-1 here in their last match, and looking back at the previous home league games you will find Middlesborough beating Blackpool 4-2, Blackburn 1-0 and Wolves 2-0. Huddersfield were also beaten here 3-0. Quite a few clean sheets eh? And when they allow goals, they've made damn sure they have scored more. This is not a side I want to bet against when they're home.
Watford's away for has actually been very good, and the 20 points they have picked up on their travels is bettered only by the 23 Hull have accumulated. Looking at the stats, I also see Watford are a dangerous side towards the end of matches, scoring more goals in the last 30 mins of matches than any other Championship team.
However, they are at the Riverside, which is very much Middlesborough's fortress. They have allowed opponents here 14 goals but scored twice that number, making sure they have never been kept off the scoresheet at home. And that has led to Middlesborough winning 10 of their 13 home games, losing just twice.
Watford may score, but Middlesborough will outdo them there, and I predict a 2-1 or possibly even 3-1 score in this game.
BETTING VERDICT
I think we're getting decent value on 'Boro and I shall take them to win this match.
The Pick :
Middlesborough 2-1 Watford
