Watford - Wimbledon, English Division 1
2004-02-28 16.00 CET
Pick: Watford
Stake: 3%
Odds: 1,66
Final reason for bet
· Watford has three consecutive unbeaten matches.
· Watford is able to name an unchanged side for this game.
· Wimbledon is out of shape.
· Wimbledon has been forced too sell some of their best players.
· Wimbledon has injury problems.
General comment about the game
On Saturday Watford will take on Wimbledon at home on Vicarage Road. Watford has so far this season been a disappointment. Few saw them involved in the relegation battle. For the moment they reside in 19th place five points above the drop zone. Lately they have played better than for long which has resulted in seven points from nine possible. At home they have beaten Preston with 2-0 and shared the points with Sunderland. In their latest game they played against bad form team Walsall away and managed to grab their first away win since November. The Watford team must thank their good goal keeper Lenny Pidgeley for the three points since he made a couple of breathtaking saves. However, in all it was not an undeserved win especially after Watford's fine first half. Manager Ray Lewington is very likely to keep the same winning side that has appeared in the latest games. Strikers Heidar Helguson (15 apps, 4 goals) and Danny Webber (25 apps, 5 goals) and defender Marcus Gayle (26 apps, 1 goal) are all out of contention through suspension and injuries. However, neither has been available lately and the team has managed really well without them so it will not have a crucial effect.
Bottom of the table Wimbledon is under administration. This has forced them too sell their best players; a handful left before the season started and another five left in January. This has obviously been to much too handle for the rest of the squad. Now they seem to be stuck in the bottom of the table. They are 16 points below the line and only a miracle can save them. Since their recent sell out they have only played two games and both have been defeats. Furthermore, the team has during all season found it very hard too score and when selling five of their best players that has produced 21 of total 28 this will not become easier. More trouble in front of Saturday’s trip to Vicarage Road is upon them; striker Dean Holdsworth (26 apps, 3 goals) and midfielder Wade Small (18 apps, 1 goal) are sidelined with injuries. Striker Wayne Gray (18 apps, 0 goal) is rated doubtful.
Watford seems to have found some form during the latest games. On Saturday they face a Wimbledon side that is robbed from their best players and also facing injuries on key players. In total the squad that is available on Saturday has only produced three goals during the whole season. If Watford can not prolong their winning run to three straight victories they do not belong in the division and should go down together with Wimbledon. However, we believe that Watford is too good for that and anything other than a home victory would be a big surprise. Medium stake is suggested, 3%.
Recent games for home team
|
2004-02-21 |
Walsall-Watford |
0-1 |
|
2004-02-14 |
Watford-Preston |
2-0 |
|
2004-02-07 |
Watford-Sunderland |
2-2 |
|
2004-01-31 |
West Bromwich-Watford |
3-1 |
|
2004-01-17 |
Watford-Crystal Palace |
1-5 |
Recent games for away team
|
2004-02-21 |
Wimbledon-Coventry |
0-3 |
|
2004-02-07 |
Wimbledon-Norwich |
0-1 |
|
2004-01-31 |
Crystal Palace-Wimbledon |
3-1 |
|
2004-01-17 |
Wimbledon-Stoke |
0-1 |
|
2004-01-10 |
Crewe-Wimbledon |
1-0 |
Home table
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Watford |
16 |
5 |
7 |
4 |
20-21 |
22 |
Away table
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Wimbledon |
15 |
3 |
0 |
12 |
14-32 |
9 |
Links for this game
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Wimbledon: |
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// SportsObserver 040227
