Watford - Nottingham Forest

Despite they were already seen in the relegation battle before the start, the Hornerts made some great results that launched them in the top half of the table. Young players, combat spirit, attacking style with excellent leadership by Malky Mackay are Watford this season. However, they started to losing their breath lately. First Scunny took all three points from Vicarage Road, then they get trashed at Derby in the last round (1-4). Striker Danny Graham, should be fit, but defender Hodson and winger Cowie are sidelined. Watford have won only two of their last 11 home games against Forest.

Forest (as any team under Billy Davies) are well known “slow starters”. Differently from previous seasons, after run of draws they noticed two defeats on the road Barnsley 1-3 and Portsmouth 1-2 (and two wins at home though). Good excuse could be missing of attacking duo Tyson  – Earsnshaw. Both were on the bench in the last round, Earnshaw will start today’s game. They were second rated favorite for winning the Championship, nothing has changed in their potential and I expect them to make a winning streak very soon. No injury concerns for Davies.

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Watford had a surprising start which probably will make their mission easier to accomplish. But for me, they’re still relegation contender and expect their fall on the table. With Forest, situation is completely opposite. I cannot exclude a possibility of another draw, but see visitors as favorites here.

Bet: Nott Forest 0.0
Odd: 2.19 188bet
Stake: 7/10

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Not so good Saturday

Nottm Forest 2 - 1 Reading

Nottingham Forest extended their unbeaten league run to 18 matches and closed the gap on Championship leaders Newcastle with a victory over Reading.
Paul Anderson put the hosts 1-0 in front in the 11th minute before Robert Earnshaw struck in the 41st minute. 
Reading earned a penalty in an incident which saw Nicky Shorey sent off, but goalkeeper Lee Camp saved Brian Howard's 68th-minute spot-kick. 
Camp twice denied Simon Church before Jimmy Kibbe grabbed a late consolation.
The victory takes Forest to within two points of leaders Newcastle while Reading, fresh from their FA Cup giant-killing exploits against Liverpool in the week, plunge further towards the relegation zone following their sixth league game without a victory.

Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies:
"We could have had four or five goals in the first half but only scored twice and that gave Reading the opportunity to come back at us. 
"It was a potential trapdoor for us playing against a side in a totally false position and they nearly made us pay in the second half. 
"If we had scored a third goal - as we should - it would have been a totally different type of game in the second half and it's a lesson for us to learn." 
Reading caretaker manager Brian McDermott:
"We were very disappointed with our first-half performance but we were much better in the second and I thought we should have got something from the game. 
"The Forest keeper was the man of the match and if we had scored 10 minutes earlier than we did, we would have got some reward. 
"But we nearly got something against a very strong and talented team who have a really good chance of going up this season."

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Peterborough 0 - 3 Derby

DJ Campbell scored two to punish nine-man Peterborough and ease the pressure on manager Nigel Clough as Derby earned a first victory in five league matches.
The hosts were never in it after Craig Morgan saw red for a lunge at Campbell, and Ryan Bennett was then sent off for a professional foul on the same player. 
Steve Davies scored from the resulting penalty and Derby took total control. 
Campbell made it 2-0 on the follow-up after his initial shot was saved and then headed home to round off the win. 
Victory takes the Rams up to 18th in the table, seven points clear of the drop zone, and leaves Posh holding up the pack five adrift of safety. 
And the result was never in doubt after Morgan's senseless tackle on Campbell rightly brought about his early bath.

Peterborough manager Mark Cooper:
"I'm loath to condemn either the referee or my players involved after only seeing the incidents once in the heat of the moment. 
"Those dismissals changed a game in which we were playing really well and creating the best chances. 
"Even when down to nine men our effort and commitment was absolutely first class." 
Derby manager Nigel Clough:
"Their player's feet were off the ground for the first red card and DJ (Campbell) was through on goal with only the goalkeeper to beat for the second. 
"Obviously it was a big result for us. To go away and score three goals, collect three points and keep a clean sheet was very pleasing. 
"Although I don't think we played as well against nine men as we had against 11."

www.bbc.co.uk

Results from tuesday

Plymouth 1 - 3 Cardiff

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Michael Chopra continued his red-hot scoring streak as his hat-trick against Plymouth Argyle fired ten-man Cardiff City to the top of the Championship.
The £4m summer signing hit the visitors into a fourth minute lead after good build-up play from Jay Bothroyd. 
Chopra struck twice more in the final 10 minutes as he celebrated his sixth goal in his opening three league games. 
Alan Gow scored a penalty consolation for Plymouth after Tony Capaldi was sent off for handling inside the box. 
The Cardiff full-back's second yellow card - and subsequent suspension - was the only blemish on a fine night for Cardiff as they continue their unbeaten start to the Championship season. 
Chopra's well executed treble ensures Cardiff have already scored 11 goals in their first four games this season. 
The Cardiff striker's early goal settled the visitors and he lifted Peter Whittingham's through ball over Plymouth keeper Romain Larrieu for his second in the 80th minute. 
He completed his treble from the penalty spot after Cardiff winger Chris Burke was brought down by Marcel Seip. 
Plymouth's Gary Sawyer had earlier crashed a header against the Cardiff bar before Joe Ledley did likewise for the Bluebirds.
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Nottm Forest 2 - 4 Watford

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Tommy Smith inspired Watford to their first win of the Championship season.
The striker, a Reading target, crossed for Danny Graham to head the visitors in front, but Dexter Blackstock's six-yard finish made it 1-1 at half-time. 
Mike Williamson restored the Hornets' lead after Smith's header came off the bar, and Smith's superb finish from outside the area made it 3-1. 
Dele Adebola slotted in to reduce the deficit before debutant Tom Cleverly sealed the win from Jon Harley's pass. 
However, Forest were convinced they should have had a penalty even before their equaliser when Williamson handled to prevent Robert Earnshaw homing in on goal.
www.bbc.co.uk