Brighton - Watford Betting Preview: Expecting a game of few goals at the Amex Stadium

Dec 28, 2012 1:30:00 PM

Both sides are capable of playing attractive football, but Al Hain-Cole expects the two teams to cancel each other out plus a strong home defence to ensure a low-scoring encounter

Two teams with promotion aspirations go head-to-head in Saturday’s televised Championship game, as Watford travel to face Brighton.

A win for the hosts at the Amex Stadium would see them pull level with the Hornets, who currently occupy sixth place in the league and the final play-off spot.

Gus Poyet’s men have every reason to feel confident going into this encounter, as they have lost just once in the last 11 games and are favourites with Paddy Power at Even Money (2.00) to collect all three points.

Watford are also enjoying a good run at the moment though, with just one defeat in 10, and are available at 13/5 (3.60) to come out on top in front of the television cameras.

The Seagulls are the draw specialists in this division, with 10 stalemates to their name already this season, and you can get odds of 12/5 (3.40) on the two sides cancelling each other out here.

The hosts have won many admirers for their fluid football over the past few years, but their main strength this season has been a miserly streak in defence.

Only Leicester have conceded fewer than the 23 goals Poyet’s men have shipped in 23 league games so far, and four of their last five matches against Saturday’s opposition have featured just one goal.

With this in mind, the quote of Even Money (2.00) seems very generous on under 2.5 goals being scored in this game, and that is surely where the smart money lies.

Watford’s squad has been completely overhauled this season, and a huge number of loan signings leaves Gianfranco Zola with plenty of options at his fingertips.

Even top scorer Matej Vydra has been in and out of the team recently, but an injury to fellow attacker Fernando Forestieri means that the Czech international is likely to start in Sussex.

The on-loan Udinese man hit both the goals in his side’s 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest last time out, and he offers great value at 11/4 (3.75) to score first for his team.

BET

OF THE

DAY

BEST BET

VALUE BET

Under 2.5 goals at Evens (2.00) with Paddy Power

Matej Vydra to score first for Watford at 11/4 (3.75) with Paddy Power

Sign up with Paddy Power for up to £250 in free bets

Al Hain-Cole is a Liverpool fan, experienced tipster and avid follower of European football. He specialises in accumulators and if you would like to read more from Al you can follow him on Twitter here.

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