Eng. Championship
2013-04-19 - Hull City vs Bristol City
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Championship
Friday 19 April 2013 - Kick Off 7:45pm
This game is live on TV
Hull City
Despite a disappointing defeat at Wolves on Tuesday night, Hull City know their own destiny is still in their hands as they look to secure a place back in the Premier League after a couple of seasons absence. The equation is very simple for Steve Bruce and his side as they need 4 points from the last 3 games to guarantee an automatic promotion place and that is assuming Watford are going to win their remaining 3 games this season.
Even a 1-0 loss at Molineaux hasn't seen Hull lose their grip on 2nd place in the Championship and they are currently 6 points clear of Watford in the first of the Play Off places. With a vastly inferior goal difference, Hull will be looking to put a big dent in the points required column by winning this game. They do have a 13-2-6 record at the KC Stadium this season, scoring 33 goals and conceding 20 in those games.
Hull City just haven't drawn a lot of games in the League down the stretch which has enabled them to keep hold of the second automatic promotion spot and it is telling that they haven't drawn any of their last 15 games. Importantly for Hull, they have won 9 of those 15 games while they have picked up 15 points from the last 21 available at home.
Bristol City
Sean O'Driscoll arrived at Ashton Gate and looked to have helped Bristol City pick up enough form to avoid the drop. However, a poor run of results away from home and their relegation rivals continuing to win games has made it an impossible task for the Robins, although it was down to back to back home losses that their relegation was confirmed earlier this week.
There isn't even the chance to salvage some pride for Bristol City and move off the bottom of the Championship as they are 10 points behind second from bottom Barnsley with 3 games left to play. As I mentioned, they have really struggled away from home and Bristol City have a 3-3-15 record on their travels, scoring 18 goals but conceding 36 in those games.
Bristol City have picked up 1 point from the last 18 available in the Championship and that was the run of form that consigned them to life in League One next season. It has been particularly troubling for Bristol City on their travels as they have lost 8 of their last 9 away games in the Championship.
Head to Head
Bristol City were beaten 1-2 at Ashton Gate by Hull City earlier this season.
Hull City have won their last 2 home games against Bristol City.
Prediction
I hate the fact that Hull City are such short odds to win this game considering some of their struggles at home recently, but facing a demoralised Bristol City team is certainly to their advantage.
Hull haven't won too many games easily recently, but I think they could reverse that here, although I'll take a slightly conservative approach on the Asian Handicap.
The Pick :
Hull City 3-1 Bristol City
