England - Premier League Qualifiers

Away wins in both opening matches

The visitors have marked a significant lead in the Play-Offs opening matches for the third Premier league team this season. Bristol City celebrated on Saturday in London at Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park (2:1), while Hull City were better than Watford on Sunday at Vicarage Road (2:0). Competitive and dynamic matches were surprising only for those who this season haven\'t watched quite uncertain matches in the best second league in the world.

Bristol City and Hull have the lead

It is evident that psychological advantage and a significant supply from the first legs made it possible for the hosts to calculate in the returning legs so they could with closed play reach a draw that will lead them to the finals at Wembley May 24th. Still, Crystal Palace and Watford are very dangerous away. With ten away wins, Watford are the best visitors in the Championship, while Palace have beaten Stoke and Watford in the last three away games and lost only to Hull.

Derby County and Birmingham City quickly returned to the second league

After only one season spent in Premiership, Birmingham and Derby are back to their old flock. While it was obvious that desperate Derby stand no chance in the elite, Alex McLeish\'s side have dropped their Premier League place in an uncertain finish. Third Championship member next season will be Reading, who, after last year\'s brilliant season, failed to overcome the “second season in the elite” syndrome. A surprising Fulham\'s away win saw Reading lose the first-league spot, while the London Cottagers have saved their neck in the last minute.

From League One arrive Swansea (second Wales side in the Championship) and Nottingham Forest, while the third passenger will be decided between Leeds United, Carlisle, Southend and Doncaster.

Just be careful…

Two seasons ago, Watford’s excellent away play has helped them through the play-offs semi-finals against Palace, while the Eagles have an experienced manager Neil Warnock who hasn\'t lost a single out of six play-offs semi-finals in the various leagues. All of this calls for great caution when it comes to betting on these matches. It is not all over in Championship...