England - Premier League Qualifiers: Hull vs Bristol C.
Hull vs Bristol C. betting odds
| Bookie |
1 |
X |
2 |
<2.5 |
>2.5 |
| Gamebookers |
2.30 |
3.20 |
2.90 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
| MyBet |
2.30 |
3.25 |
2.85 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
This week England - Premier League Qualifiers matches
| Saturday, 24.05.2008 |
| Hull - Bristol C. |
16:00 |
|
 The maturity Hull and Bristol City demonstrated in Championship play-offs semi-finals is truly worthy of respect. Both sides nave in a brilliant (though not easy) way beat their semi-final rivals (Watford and Crystal Palace), the teams that have much more experience in these situations. Still, it is obvious that the quality was crucial; the Tigers and Robins certainly have it and the earned to be where they are now.
Tigers making history
In a tough and not very interesting game at Vicarage Road, Hull were a better side and celebrated 2:0 over Watford in the first play-offs semifinal leg. The Tigers loosened up a bit in the returning leg, dangerous Watford took the lead but then in the second-half last twenty minutes the visitors' play fell apart allowing Hull to celebrate a 4:1 score. Phil Brown's defense rose up to the occasion and before the end of the season (troubled by injuries) veteran Nick Barnby had his chance and used it scoring one goal in each of the matches.
Before the play-offs, the Tigers had a furious finish of the season, aside form the last three rounds when they suddenly dropped, probably scared of the possibility of automatic promotion that appeared at one moment. They marked eight wins and three losses in the last 12 matches. Two out of three defeats happened in the last two rounds. The only dilemma for Phil Brown will be firm defender Wayne Brown, who will have a test before the match due to an ankle injury so he might not play.
Robins completely deserved their success
Bristol City also outmatched their rivals in the play-offs semifinals. In the away leg, Bristol City were completely dominant during most of the match and had the lead but home side neutralised it in the finish but Nobl's excellent 90-minute strike earned a 2:1 victory. The returning leg at Ashton Gate wasn't brilliant’. The visitors took the lead and kept it till the end of regular 90 minutes. But there was only one side on the pitch in extra time, Bristol City so McIndoe and Trundle's excellent strikes brought great joy to their fans and a chance to finally get back to elite after 1979.
Tradition doesn’t’ favour the Robins since in the last four play-offs games in various leagues they have never succeeded in earning a higher-rank spot. They mostly achieved it automatically. Their complete squad will have the chance to skip two ranks in two seasons, so manager Gray Johnson has no worries about the line-up for this historic match. There was enough time for the players to completely recover.
Betting verdict
While the play-offs tradition doesn't favour Bristol, the score against Hull in the last four years definitely does. During that period they have played against the Tigers four times and they celebrated both matches at Ashton Gate while they took one point at KC stadium. Their advantage will also be the excellent wingers (especially on the right where best right winger of the league Bradley Orr is dominant) and perhaps somewhat slow Tigers’ defense. Hull’s biggest weapons are fast and dangerous Campbell, experienced Windass and Barmby and getting better attacker Caleb Folan who usually plays in the last 20 minutes.
All in all, it is hard to suggest a betting choice, for this match is very uncertain when it comes to both final outcome and number of goals. We will give advantage to Hull, because of experience. If they score first, Hull will have huge advantage since they have a bit more quality names in the squad. Perhaps a single creative action of Tigers’ players could decide the game at Wembley.
Our tip: Bet 6 on Home win
Odds 2.3 at
Bookmaker: Gamebookers
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