Brighton to maintain play-off push against free-falling Huddersfield

28Feb 2013

England - The Championship

Brighton are giving themselves a great chance of making the play-offs with a good run of form, and Jamie Dickenson is expecting Gus Poyet's Seagulls to continue in that vein when they host suffering Huddersfield in his early look at the Championship betting...

Brighton v Huddersfield

Saturday, 15:00

Late promotion contenders Brighton have the chance to consolidate their position in the play-off spots when they host struggling Huddersfield at the Amex Stadium.

Gus Poyet's side have won admirers for the way they have played this season, and the Seagulls could earn themselves a route into the play-offs if they keep up this late charge. Just one league defeat in their last nine and three wins in four have pushed Brighton into sixth place in the Championship, and fans of the south-coast club will be desperate for their team to remain in that crucial top six for the rest of the season. The versatile David Lopez scored the winner last time out against Burnley, with the Spaniard having contributed five goals in his last 10 games.

Huddersfield are on no such run of form however, with just two victories from their last 18 outings. The Terriers ground out a goalless draw against Ipswich at home most recently, although the match before that they were thumped 6-1 at Nottingham Forest. Mark Robins' side managed to resign former striker Theo Robinson on loan from Derby, but it was ex-Everton frontman James Vaughan that gave the new boss his first three points with a narrow 1-0 win over Burnley in midweek. That could leave the visitors tired ahead of their trip to Brighton, however.

As Brighton have won three of their last four games without conceding, and Huddersfield have let in 19 goals in their last five league away matches scoring just three times, backing the hosts to Win To Nil appears safe at 2.50.

Wolves v Watford

Friday, 19:45

Second place Watford make the trip to Molineux to face relegation-threatened Wolves, which can be viewed live on Sky Sports 2.

Gianfranco Zola's Watford have come under fire for supposedly exploiting loopholes in the loan market to supplement their squad this season, as their recent 2-1 victory over Derby which took them into an automatic promotion spot saw the Hornets start with eight loan players. Only one of those came from these shores - Nathaniel Chalobah borrowed from Chelsea - and although the other temporary team members are causing controversy, the fact remains that Watford aren't breaking any current rules and stand a great chance of securing promotion. Seven wins in their last nine highlight that, and Zola's side are a powerful force away from home with their 10 victories on the road ranking as the best in the division.

Wolves are in serious danger of dropping down to League One at the end of this season, which would be their second relegation in as many campaigns after they fell through the Premier League trapdoor last May. Dean Saunders taking over as manager hasn't helped as the West Midlands club are still searching for their first win in 11 league attempts. Their last six matches on home soil have seen an average of two goals conceded a game, and the visit of Watford who have scored the most in the Championship could prove painful.

Considering the contrasting recent fortunes of Watford and Wolves, in terms of picking up points and scoring goals, it seems that backing the visitors in the -1 Handicap Market at 4.40 looks worth a punt.

Hull v Birmingham

Saturday, 15:00

Steve Bruce will demand a response from his Hull players when they host Birmingham City at the weekend, after suffering a 4-1 defeat at Bolton last time out.

That loss ended a run of three straight victories for the Tigers and forced them to concede second place in the table to Watford. But Hull have been very strong at home this season, with their 11 wins at the KC Stadium the joint-highest in the Championship. Loan signing George Boyd from Peterborough could make his first start for the club against Birmingham, who Hull beat 3-2 at St Andrew's earlier in the season. Boyd targeted promotion to the Premier League upon his arrival, and the East Yorkshire club will not be satisfied unless they reach the promised land this campaign.

Birmingham ended a run of three games without victory by winning away at Peterborough, a win that pushed Lee Clarke's side seven points away from danger. Serbian striker Nikola Zigic broke the deadlock in that game after returning to the side having been dropped for a lack of effort in training, something which Blues can ill afford to allow during the remainder of a testing campaign that currently positions them in 16th.

After their improved performance last time out you could imagine Birmingham putting up some resistance at Hull, but the hosts looks too strong and a 2-1 home scoreline could be worth a flutter at 8.0.

Recommended Bets

Back Brighton to win at 1.65

Back Brighton to Win To Nil at 2.50

Back Watford at 2.30

Back Watford with -1 handicap at 4.40

Back Hull to win at 1.70

Hull to win 2-1 in Correct Score Market at 8.0

Prices are based on our Fixed Odds product, so any winnings are exempt from commission.