Eng. Championship
2013-03-05 - Bristol City vs Brighton
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Championship
Tuesday 5 March 2013 - Kick Off 7:45pm
Bristol City
The arrival of Sean O'Driscoll has sparked a response from his Bristol City team and there is every chance that they can somehow claw themselves out of trouble with 11 games left to play. Bristol City have a chance for some real mental belief in this one as a win, coupled with results going their way, would see Bristol City escape the relegation zone.
At this stage of the season, it can be mentally taxing for teams to fall into the relegation zone in any of the Divisions- on the other hand, it is a big boost for confidence when a team gets themselves out of those positions. Bristol City are bottom of the Championship, but they are just 2 points behind Barnsley in the safety zone. Much of their success will come down to their form at Ashton Gate where Bristol City are 7-2-8 this season, scoring 35 goals and conceding 37.
Bristol City have won half of their last 8 Championship games to get themselves back in contention for survival in this Division. Almost all of their recent successes have come at Ashton Gate where Bristol City have won 4 in a row in the Championship since a 0-4 loss to Leicester City in early January. In fact, Bristol City have won 5 of their last 6 games here in the League and they have scored at least 2 goals in 4 straight home games.
Brighton
Gus Poyet has guided Brighton into a position where the Play Offs are a real possibility for them this season. The Uruguayan has been linked with the manager job at Chelsea after performing admirably on the south coast over the last three years and Brighton have definitely picked up some form at just the right time.
The side are currently 6th in the Championship and they are 1 point clear of Middlesbrough just outside of the Play Offs, although Brighton do have a game in hand to play. Automatic promotion is probably too far for Brighton now as they trail Hull City by 10 points for those positions. They have a 6-6-4 record away from home in the Championship, scoring 23 goals and conceding 20 in those games.
Brighton are unbeaten in their last 5 games in the Championship since a surprise 3-1 loss at Sheffield Wednesday and they have won 4 of those including a 4-1 thumping of Huddersfield Town on Saturday. Brighton did beat Cardiff City 0-2 in their last away game in the League, but had previously failed to win any of 3, although the side have lost just 1 of their last 6 on their travels in the League.
Head to Head
Brighton were comfortable 2-0 winners at the Amex Stadium against Bristol City back in November.
Brighton won 0-1 at Ashton Gate last season, but had previously failed to win on 3 visits to the ground.
Prediction
Recent games between these sides have not exactly produced fireworks, but the form of both suggests this game could buck the trends.
Both Bristol City and Brighton look very capable of scoring goals in this one and the 2-1 result looks like it could very much be in play. I can't decide which of these teams is the more likely winner, although I would say Brighton look short at 2.30 to win considering Bristol City's recent form at home.
Goals look like they will be on the cards in this one and that'll be my pick.
The Pick :
Bristol City 2-1 Brighton
