Eng. Championship
2013-02-23 - Watford vs Derby County
A Sports Betting Pick by ArmchairPunter
Football – England – Championship
Saturday 23rd February 2013 – Kickoff: 1500hrs
WATFORD
Third placed Watford could move up into second and replace Hull City if they take all three points against visitors Derby County at Vicarage Road on Saturday, with Hull City making a tricky trip to Bolton.
Watford seem to have hit some good form just at the right time having won three of their last four matches with wins over Bolton at home 2-1, a 4-0 victory at struggling Birmingham City and another away win at Ipswich Town in midweek with The Hornets winning 2-0.
Throw in a 2-2 London derby with Crystal Palace and you can see why they are challenging for an automatic promotion spot which would enable manager Gianfranco Zola to once again rub shoulders with the big-boys.
Watford have actually lost just once in their last eight matches which was an away defeat at Bristol City at the end of January 0-2, but their home form has been solid enough having lost just twice in their last eleven at Vicarage Road. During this period, Watford have put together seven wins, two draws and two losses with an overall home record of 8-3-5 28/18.
DERBY COUNTY
Similarly to Leeds United, visitors Derby County possess a solid home record but performances away from home has been their Achilles hell so far this season. The Rams have won just once in their last seven league matches which includes four draws and I think they’ll struggle to take all the points at Watford today.
Just one away win from their last ten away matches reflects their poor away record this season and no disrespect to Bristol City, but Derby’s win was at Ashton Gate back in mid-December during a period when Bristol City had won just one home match out of their last ten as The Robins were losing to all and sundry.
Back to Derby though and their overall away record stands at a shaky 3-4-9 15/28 and their lack of goals on the road is surpassed only by Ipswich Town who have chalked up a meagre total of 12 all season. In fact, an equation of five games without scoring and just two clean sheets is a pretty simple one and is the main reason why they continue to knock around the mid-table positions without ever really making any sort of impact on the top six.
THE BETTING VERDICT:
Watford at home have been pretty consistent and against a Derby side who tend to struggle away from home, I’ll back The Hornets to take the points today and put pressure on Hull City. It could be a 2-1 win for Watford.
The Pick :
Watford 2 Derby County 1
BEST BETTING TIP :
Pick; Watford straight win @ 1.83 Coral
