Eng. Championship
2013-01-26 - Wolves vs Blackpool
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Championship
Saturday 26 January 2013 - Kick Off 3pm
Wolves
Dean Saunders is the man that has been tasked with getting the best out of this Wolves side that have struggled heavily since being relegated from the Premier League last season. There is little to suggest that Wolves are going to be anything but a Championship side next season, but Saunders will use the last 4 months of the season to restore confidence in a team that has done a lot of losing over the last 18 months.
Wolves are 17th in the Championship table and they have picked up 33 points so far which leaves them 6 clear of the relegation zone. No team is ever too good to go down, but I think Saunders will ensure Wolves survive in this Division this season. They bring in a 4-5-5 record at home this season, scoring 17 goals and conceding 20 in those games.
The side have actually failed to win any of their last 6 games in all competitions, which included a shocking 1-0 loss at Luton Town in the FA Cup, a result that cost Stale Solbakken his job as manager. Wolves have at least turned a corner somewhat with Saunders at the helm as they have drawn their last 2 Championship games. Wolves have won just 1 of their last 10 home games and they have lost half of those games.
Blackpool
While Blackpool were a Premier League club just a couple of seasons ago, it has been a stop-start season for them as they go in search of their third manager of the season. Ian Holloway decided to leave for Crystal Palace, while his replacement Michael Appleton took the Blackburn Rovers job before he had even really moved in as manager of the club. That has left the club a little rudderless in their bid to get back into the top flight.
You would think Blackpool is a terrible job with the way the managers have come and gone this season, but it is the nature of losing managers that has seen the club slip to 15th in the Championship with 34 points to their name. Promotion already looks a step too far this season, but Blackpool are looking for a manager that will come in with a long-term aim of getting them back into the Premier League. They have a 4-4-6 record away from home, scoring 20 goals and conceding 23.
Blackpool have lost their last 2 Championship games and they have also been knocked out of the FA Cup by Fulham in extra time. They have now failed to win any of their last 8 games in all competitions so confidence is a little battered. Blackpool have failed to win any of their last 5 away games in all competitions and they have lost their last 2 away games in the Championship.
Head to Head
Blackpool were beaten 1-2 by Wolves at Bloomfield Road earlier this season.
Wolves have won their last 6 home games against Blackpool, including a 4-0 thumping when both were Premier League clubs a couple of seasons ago.
Prediction
Wolves home games have not really been that high-scoring in recent games, but I have a feeling this could be different with at least 3 goals looking on the agenda.
Blackpool have both defensive vulnerabilities and attacking potential in their line up and have been involved in a number of games involving a few goals and I think the 1.92 on at least 3 goals is a little too high for this game.
5 of the last 6 at Molineux between these sides have seen at least 3 goals scored and that'll be my pick.
The Pick :
Wolves 2-1 Blackpool
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.92
