Eng. Championship
2013-04-20 - Watford vs Blackburn Rovers
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Championship
Saturday 20 April 2013 - Kick Off 3pm
Watford
It has been a terrible time to lose some form for Watford as they have been unable to close the gap on the top two, but that doesn't mean Gianfranco Zola can stop getting his troops to work hard. With little momentum at the moment, Watford will want to win their last 3 League games to force Hull City to earn promotion and also give them some positives ahead of their likely Play Off appearance.
There is little doubt that it is a surprise to see Watford as high as they are in the table, but the last six weeks would have been a disappointment for the fans. They do have a superior goal difference than Hull City in the second automatic promotion spot, but the 6 point gap looks tough to make up with just 9 points left to play for. The side have a 10-5-6 home record this season, scoring 36 goals and conceding 25 in those games.
Watford have won just 1 of their last 7 games in the Championship, that coming in a 0-1 win at Hull City which looked a huge three points at the time. They have failed to win any of their last 3 home games, although drawing the last 2, since a run of 4 wins from 5 games at Vicarage Road.
Blackburn Rovers
It has looked like Blackburn Rovers were falling down the table at an alarming rate and I think a lot of people were beginning to expect back to back relegation for the former Premier League winners. However, the last week has seen them produce back to back wins at the most important time, although still in the mix in the relegation matters at the bottom of the Championship.
The 6 points earned since last Saturday has moved Blackburn Rovers out of the relegation zone as they are up to 19th in the Championship while also having an extra game to play than their rivals. However, they remain just 3 points clear of second bottom Barnsley and it remains a tense time at Ewood Park. Blackburn have a 3-9-8 record away from home, scoring 25 goals and conceding 33 in those games.
Blackburn Rovers had failed to win in 10 Championship games as they slipped into the relegation zone but wins over Derby County and Huddersfield Town at home over the last seven days have been vital. However, their away form has not been so good and Blackburn have lost 5 straight away games in the League while not winning in 7 on their travels.
Head to Head
It took an injury time goal for Blackburn Rovers to beat Watford at Ewood Park earlier this season at a time when the home side may have expected to be putting together a promotion challenge.
This will be the first meeting at Vicarage Road in 6 seasons when Watford beat Blackburn 2-1 in the Premier League.
Prior to that, Watford had lost 3 of their previous 4 home games against Blackburn in all competitions.
Prediction
The layers know that people will start backing teams that 'need' to win and so the odds on Watford are a touch lower than I liked. However, I do think they win this game against Blackburn Rovers and will back them to do so regardless of what happens in the Hull City game on Friday night.
The Pick :
Watford 2-1 Blackburn Rovers
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Watford to Win @ 1.85 (Bet Victor)
