Championship Betting Preview: Glory days distant memories for clubs on coast of relegation

Championship / Andrew French / 29 August 2008 / Leave a Comment

Le Tiss and Sir Stan are long gone and Southampton and Blackpool will limit their ambitions to survival this season, says Andrew French.

For two clubs with relatively glorious pasts, just finishing further away from the Championship's relegation zone doesn't sound like much of a target. Yet both Southampton and Blackpool, who meet in Saturday's live lunchtime Sky game, have no real reason to harbour more lofty ambitions.

Think of Saints and you think of Lawrie McMenemy, Kevin Keegan, Matt Le Tissier - and countless successful battles to stay in the top flight. Mention Blackpool, and Sir Stanley Matthews tumbles from your lips. Yet last season these two finished just two points above the relegation trap door. Saints scrambled clear right at the death, while Blackpool were never really in the same danger although a run of one win in 11 at the end of the season saw them drop like a stone.

They have started this season little better, with only one point so far. At least Southampton are beginning to show some form, with an away win at troubled Derby followed by a morale-boosting success over Birmingham in the Carling Cup in midweek.
I must confess, without Wikipedia, I would have struggled to know anything about new Saints manager Jan Pootvliet - it appears he has gained a reputation in his native Holland for winning trophies while working on a shoestring budget. That will be an asset at St Mary's where money is tight, and the Dutchman has shown a penchant for wheeler dealing by bringing in youngsters Tomas Peckhart (Spurs) and Jack Cork (Chelsea) on loan.

The South Coast side should win this one if only by dint of home advantage (Blackpool have won once in their last 11 away league trips), and at [1.9], that's probably worth a small investment.

The Tangerines' away games averaged 2.6 goals last season and with Saints knowing fixtures such as this fall into the 'must win' category, I can't see them being cautious. Therefore, backing Over 2.5 goals at [2.04] is suggested.

Saturday's second live game is Watford v Ipswich, two clubs who flirted with promotion last term but will know that with each passing season, getting back to the top flight becomes harder.

The exit mat at Vicarage Road has been well worn this summer with the likes of first-team regulars Danny Shittu, Nathan Ellington and Darius Henderson all disappearing. Conversely, the welcome mat is almost as good as new with only ex-Chelsea man John Harley and loan striker Grzegorz Rasiak arriving.

They have made a better start than many fans feared, though, and in Tommy Smith they have a player on fire - he's certainly worth a look for both First Goalscorer and To Score.

Ipswich underline just what a wacky division the Championship is. Last season they were almost unbeatable at home and barely won away. This term they have lost both their home games but won 3-0 at Burnley.

When Watford won at Portman Road last year, manager Jim Magilton was critical of their direct tactics. Aidy Boothroyd has made no secret of refining the Hornets approach this year, and it may take them a while to truly bed down - particularly in this game against a side that has always opted for more the measured style of play.

For that reason, I would suggest laying Watford at [2.48] - and I am tempted by Ipswich/Draw at [15.5], as if the visitors do get ahead, the Hornets have had a reputation under Boothroyd for not knowing when they are beaten.

Of the other fixtures, I can't believe Derby will continue to struggle as they have, while Doncaster cannot be written off as readily as some pundits believe. I'm still to be convinced QPR are as good as has been said and they will be well tested by Gary Johnson's Bristol City.

Therefore, a treble on Betfair Multiples backing Derby, Doncaster and Bristol City this weekend pays around the [14.5] mark.