Tag Archives: Saints

Saints to go marching on

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Once again Southampton are proving that sides with momentum are the ones to fear and it’s up to Reading to try and halt the marching Saints on Saturday (Reading 7/4, draw 12/5, Southampton 6/4 in the match betting).

Manager Nigel Adkins has kept the positivity going around St Mary’s following promotion from League One last term, and now the south coast outfit sit five points clear at the top of the Championship table.

Southampton battled hard for a 1-0 victory over much fancied West Ham United in midweek and will be full of confidence going into this away trip to face the Royals.

Reading continue to struggle without their former striker Shane Long, who decided to move to the Premier League with West Brom in the summer.

There has been some improvements at the Madejski Stadium in recent weeks and the Royals were able to hold a strong Derby County outfit in midweek to a 2-2 draw.

However with the Saints full of confidence and their striker Ricky Lambert continuing to score goals, the visitors should come away with the three points.

Another clash at the top of the table sees third-placed Middlesbrough take on Derby, who currently hold fourth spot in a competitive Championship table (Middlesbrough 8/11, draw 5/2, Derby 4/1 in the match betting).

The Rams have made an impressive start to the season and will be boosted by the news in midweek that their manager Nigel Clough has signed a new deal at Pride Park.

With far less expectation than last season, Boro have thrived under Tony Mowbray and have looked like a competitive outfit this term, despite struggling to score enough goals.

A 2-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in midweek may have brought the side back to earth but they may well take the three points on offer at the Riverside, where visitors have struggled to pick up wins this season.

Leeds United make the trip south to face Peterborough United following a less than convincing performance against Coventry City at Elland Road (Peterborough 6/4, draw 12/5, Leeds 7/4 in the match betting).

The Whites dominated the first half put could not put the game to bed and conceded in the third minute of stoppage time to record a 1-1 draw with the Sky Blues.

Peterborough, like Southampton, have made a positive start to life in the second tier of English football and they proved their credentials with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Cardiff in midweek.

Saturday’s game against Leeds should have plenty of goals and Whites boss Simon Grayson and his men may make the journey back to West Yorkshire with a point.

After Forest got their first win under manager Steve Cotterill against Boro, they will be confident of going to Blackpool with the chance of taking all three points (Blackpool Evs, draw 5/2, Forest 13/5 in the match betting).

The two sides have had some thrilling encounters in the past, especially when they met in the Championship play-off semi-finals two seasons ago.

Blackpool came out on top over the two legs, but it is a relatively new look Tangerines side without the likes of DJ Campbell and Charlie Adam.

Forest look like they have turned a corner and should pick up a rare away victory at Bloomfield Road on Saturday.

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Saints look for Rams raid

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Bet on the ChampionshipThe Championship returns following a two-week international break with a new man at the helm of Nottingham Forest and a big game just across the East Midlands as third-placed Derby County entertain table-topping Southampton at Pride Park.

Derby v Southampton (3pm)

There is only one place to start when previewing the big games in the Championship as the Rams look to halt the Saints’ march and bounce back from the 4-0 drubbing at rivals Leicester last time out.

A win for Nigel Clough’s men will move them level on points with the visitors and, as only Burnley have picked up three points at Pride Park this term; they will hope to come out on top.

However, Nigel Adkins’ side have taken to life back in the Championship like a duck to water and they will be confident of defeating the Rams.

But looking at the Saints’ form, it is St Mary’s where they have secured most of their 22 points with no away win in the league – two defeats and a draw – since putting five past Ipswich on August 16.

It is set to be a tight game and it is difficult to see either coming out on top here.

Prediction: Draw @ 12/5
Value Bet: Derby/ Draw HT/FT @ 12/1.

Middlesbrough v Millwall (3pm)

Second-placed Boro remain unbeaten from their opening 10 league matches this season, albeit they have drawn their last three matches 0-0, which suggests that the efforts of their defence is not being reciprocated by the strikers.

However, Boro did face big-spending Ipswich and Leicester at the Riverside and travelled to Reading in those matches and should have at least come away with three points against the Royals.

Tony Mowbray picked up the manager of the month award for September for his impressive work on a shoe-string budget at Boro so he will hope the jinx does not strike when Kenny Jackett’s second-bottom Lions arrive on Saturday.

Millwall are stuck in a rut at the moment and arrive looking to prevent a fourth straight defeat.

It looks like a home banker on paper, especially as Millwall have only scored seven goals all season and they are up against the stingiest defence in the league, Boro, who have only let in five.

But Boro have only scored once in four matches and have only one win from five at the Riverside so far. And, with Patrick Agyemang arriving on loan from QPR to boost Millwall’s forward line, the outcome might not be a foregone conclusion.

Prediction: Draw @ 5/2
Value Bet: 1-1 Correct Score @ 6/1.

West Ham v Blackpool (3pm)

Sam Allardyce’s Hammers will be looking to get back to winning ways at Upton Park after a point from their last two games and they face a Blackpool side that dropped out of the Premier League with them at the end of last season.

It has not been plain-sailing for the Hammers on home soil as they have only managed two wins from five and suffered two defeats.

Ian Holloway’s Tangerines have not won on the road since the opening match of the season at Hull, but come into this one boosted by a 5-0 home win against Bristol City.

Another game between two decent sides and, again, it is hard to pick a winner but the Hammers should just have the edge.

Prediction: Home Win @ 5/6
Value Bet: Carew 1st Goal West Ham 2-1 Scorecast @ 28/1.

Brighton v Hull (5.30pm)

If this fixture had popped up just over a fortnight ago you would have put your hat on a home win for the Seagulls who were flying at their new Amex Stadium.

However, Gus Poyet’s men have since suffered a bout of stage fright in front of their own fans with Leeds snatching a last-gasp equaliser in a 3-3 thriller before rivals Crystal Palace romped to a 3-1 win a few days later.

They then lost 3-1 at Ipswich and the signs are that the wheels have come off Albion’s bandwagon which looked set to roll on in the Championship following promotion from League One.

Hull, on the other hand, are now level on points with Brighton in sixth spot after accruing 13 points from a six-match unbeaten run and Nigel Pearson’s men will look to make it a magnificent seven this weekend.

Prediction: Away Win @ 5/2
Value Bet: Draw/ Hull HT/FT @ 13/2.

Coventry v Nottingham Forest (3pm)

All eyes will be on the Ricoh Arena on Saturday as Steve Cotterill will take command of Nottingham Forest following his Friday morning defection from Championship rivals Portsmouth.

Cotterill replaces Steve McClaren after the former England boss? dismal spell at the City Ground ended after a 3-1 home defeat against Birmingham on October 2.

Forest conceded eight goals in two matches before the break and they have won just twice all season so Cotterill has his work cut out to turn things around.

Coventry are also struggling this season and sit one point and one place below Forest ahead of this game. With no wins in five, the Sky Blues have drawn most of their home games so far this season and it looks like a fourth stale-mate is on the cards on Saturday.

Prediction: Draw @ 9/4
Value Bet: Draw 2-2 Correct Score @ 14/10/11.

In Saturday’s other games, Cotterill’s former club Pompey host a Barnsley side that has yet to lose on the road so far this season.

However, it would not be a surprise if caretakers Stuart Gray and Guy Whittingham guide the south coast side to three points (Evens Home Win) in the 5.20pm kick-off.

Cardiff and Ipswich, who are just outside the play-off places at this moment in time, meet at the Cardiff City Stadium. The South Wales side are strong at home while Paul Jewell’s Tractor Boys have improved dramatically in recent weeks so expect a close-fought battle (12/5 Draw) in that one.

Burnley and Reading are stuck together in mid-table after inconsistent starts to the campaign and another draw (23/10) is on the cards at Turf Moor, while Watford, with new loan signing Michael Kightly on board, should just edge out (5/4 Home Win) a much-improved Crystal Palace side at Vicarage Road.

Finally, it would not be a surprise if managerless bottom club Bristol City, who sacked boss Keith Millen over the international break following a 5-0 defeat at Blackpool, pick up a first home win (6/4) of the season against Darren Ferguson’s Peterborough.

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Saints can maintain promotion bid

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An international break gives us the chance to take stock of how the Championship has been panning out and who look like genuine promotion candidates. Many people will be surprised that Southampton currently sit top of the pile, but Nigel Adkins’ men look like they could be real contenders this term.

Having won promotion from League One last season and losing young star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the summer, several pundits would have been expecting a season in the bottom half of the table for Saints. But they have taken to life in the Championship like a duck to water and have a 100 per cent record at St Mary’s.

In Rickie Lambert, Saints (5/4 to win promotion) have the joint top goalscorer so far this season, with the former Bristol Rovers man banging in eight goals already. Adam Lallana has also highlighted his ability in tandem with Lambert, while Southampton’s defensive record is also impressive – with just 12 goals conceded in 10 games.

Middlesbrough (13/5 to win promotion) are hot on the heels of the league leaders and are the only team in the division unbeaten at this stage, with five wins and five draws. Tony Mowbray has done a fantastic job in a short space of time and has experience of winning promotion to the Premier League with West Brom.

The former centre back has built a solid foundation at Boro, having had to stave off the threat of relegation last term. The only worry for Mowbray will be the lack of goals in recent times, with Boro relying heavily, at present, on midfielder Marvin Emnes.

West Ham (5/2 to win Championship title), currently fourth, remain the bookies favourites to go up and have arguably the strongest squad in the division. Sam Allardyce’s men are unbeaten in five away games to date, but the Upton Park form will be a concern – with the Hammers already losing twice, to Cardiff and Ipswich.

Of the chasing pack, Hull City (6/1 to be promoted) are enjoying the best run of form at present and look real contenders under the shrewd leadership of Nigel Pearson. Having struggled for goals earlier in the season, the loan capture of Martyn Waghorn looks to have inspired the Tigers.

Hull are on a six-game unbeaten run and with an impressive away record over the last 12 months, will believe they can secure a top-six spot come May. We will get a better idea of their credentials after the break though, with a trip to Brighton to come on October 15.

Leicester (5/1 Championship Outright) have spent a lot of money and the expectations appear to be weighing heavily on Sven Goran Eriksson’s men. Consistency is lacking with the Foxes, but should they find their feet, they must surely be contenders for automatic promotion.

After a poor start, Ipswich have all of a sudden sneaked up to 10th, following a four-game unbeaten run. Michael Chopra looks to have found his shooting boots and the recent addition of Keith Andrews has given the Tractorboys a real lift.

Derby are sitting in third but their recent 4-0 drubbing at Leicester suggests they are punching above their weight, although Nigel Clough has to be praised for the way he has turned around the Rams fortunes on a tight budget.

Cardiff and Blackpool will both believe the play-offs, at least, are within their grasp this term, while Leeds (6/1 to win promotion) can still mount a top-six challenge if they can tighten up at the back and keep Ross McCormack and Luciano Becchio fit.

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Bluebirds out to halt marching Saints

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malky mackaySouthampton have once again proved how important momentum can be at the start of the Championship season, and they will hope to continue their impressive form so far when they cross the border to take on Cardiff City on Wednesday night (Cardiff 13/8, draw 23/10, Southampton 13/8).

Cardiff v Southampton

The Saints are competing at the top of the table following promotion from League One last term – continuing the trend of teams who have recently done well after coming up from the third tier.

Last season, it was the likes of Norwich City, Millwall and Leeds United who were battling near the top end early on, with the Canaries ultimately securing back-to-back promotions.

Southampton will be looking to imitate that success under manager Nigel Adkins, who has worked wonders at St Mary’s since he joined from Scunthorpe United, but his side face a tough test against a highly-respected Cardiff in midweek.

The Saints will be boosted by the return of trio Dan Harding, Radhi Jaidi and Lee Barnard (7/1 first goalscorer) who have all recovered from injuries.

Getting the first goal could be key for Southampton, as the men from the south coast have won all five games where they have taken the lead and a victory against the Bluebirds would make it their best start in the league for 58 years.

Cardiff have been on a great run of form, however, and haven’t tasted defeat in their last seven league and cup outings and will be a tough proposition – especially on their home turf.

With the way the Saints have been playing, they have the ability to get something out of this game, though, and Adkins’ side should come away from Wales with a point.

Middlesbrough v Leicester

In the only other game in the Championship on Wednesday, two title contenders – Middlesbrough and Leicester City – go head-to-head at the Riverside (Middlesbrough 5/4, draw 12/5, Leicester 21/10).

Both games between these two sides ended in draws last season with six goals being scored in the last game at the Riverside.

You can expect goals in this upcoming clash, too, with attacking threats all over the park for both clubs.

The Foxes (7/1 Championship outright) welcome back David Nugent, who has managed to recover from a hamstring injury which has ruled him out of action in the Championship for the last month.

Boro have looked strong in defence this term but, with the likes of Nugent, Darius Vassell and Jermaine Beckford in their ranks, Leicester will fancy their chances of getting on the scoresheet.

It is tough to call a winner in this one between two fairly evenly-matched sides but, based on current form, Middlesbrough should just edge it to keep the pressure on the Saints at the top of the table.

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Saints to shine on in Burnley

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Bet on the ChampionshipThere have already been plenty of surprises in the Championship this season in what’s shaping up to be another unpredictable campaign. Southampton have impressed so far and lead the pack ahead of another busy weekend. Here we pick out some top games.

Burnley v Southampton

The Saints face a tricky game at the weekend as they travel to Turf Moor to face Burnley. If Southampton have been the surprise package at the top so far, the Clarets have equally been the shock strugglers and currently sit 20th in the table, only out of the relegation zone on goal difference.

Despite their lowly position, Eddie Howe still has a talented squad at his disposal and will be looking for the likes of Zavon Hines and Andre Abougu to stand up and lead the team to victory.

However, the South coast club have the momentum going into the game and with the class of Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana, they should just sneak another victory (Burnley 11/5, draw 23/10, Southampton 5/4).

West Ham v Peterborough

Another promotion chasing-side in action on Saturday is West Ham, who play host to Peterborough in a match that has the potential to be a belter.

After being relegated from the top flight last season, Sam Allardyce has taken over the reigns at Upton Park and made the team more of a unit, especially in defence after years of inconsistency.

Despite mumblings among fans about the former Bolton boss’ playing style, the Hammers currently sit in fifth and victory could see them move further up the table.

However, Peterborough are a team who can beat anyone on their day and since Darren Ferguson’s return to the club last season, have gone from strength to strength.

Despite losing star man Craig Mackail-Smith, the Posh have made a good start to the season and will be looking at Saturday’s game as a chance to cause an upset.

Both sides like to play football but the Hammers should have the firepower to record a convincing win against the London Road club and will see it as a must-win game even at this stage of the season if they are to bounce straight back up (West Ham 8/13, draw 11/4, Peterborough 9/2).

Doncaster v Crystal Palace

The final match that we are picking out on Saturday is Crystal Palace’s trip to South Yorkshire to take on Doncaster.

Rovers are currently bottom of the league but it’s the dawn of a new era at the Keepmoat Stadium as Dean Saunders takes charge after his appointment on Friday.

Palace have had a typically inconsistent start to the season but will be pleased with their mid-table position after some difficult games.

The Eagles are without a number of their key players for the match but should welcome back experienced duo Julian Speroni and Darren Ambrose.

Palace’s injury problems could take their toll and, keeping in mind  the tradition of manager’s normally winning their first game, Rovers should pick-up their first victory of the campaign in this one (Doncaster 6/4, draw 9/4, Palace 9/5).

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