Birmingham v Cardiff
Friday, 19:45
Live on Sky Sports 1

Birmingham
An indifferent run has seen the Blues win just one of their last nine games but they still find themselves in eighth place - four points behind Ipswich in sixth spot but still very much involved in the battle for a play-off place with the busy festive programme about to begin. Gary Rowett's men have certainly struggled at St Andrew's over the six weeks, losing three and drawing one of their last four games and not scoring a single goal in the process.
However, they hinted at a return to form in Tuesday night's 1-1 draw at improving Preston, where only the home side's keeper denied them in the second-half, while Demarai Gray in particular was guilty of some profligate finishing. The Blues also hit the bar and really should have picked up all three points rather than having to rely on Michael Morrison's scrambled equaliser for just the one.

Cardiff
Russell Slade's side moved to within a point off the play-offs in seventh place after Tuesday's last gasp 3-2 win at home to Brentford, having let a two-goal first-half lead slip. Kenwyne Jonesnetted twice, including the injury-time winner and another victory here would move them above Ipswich and Burnley into fifth place - until Saturday afternoon at least.
Striker Tony Watt has proved an astute loan signing from Charlton, scoring twice and winning a penalty in his three appearances for the Bluebirds. Despite their impressive run to the edge of the play-off places, Slade still seems to have some work to do to win over part of the Welsh crowd, who remain unconvinced by the former Leyton Orient manager's credentials at this level.

Match Odds
Despite their poor run in front of their own fans, the Blues are the favourites here at 2.56 with the visitors priced at 3.15 and the draw available to back at 3.30. Despite their bright second-half performance at Preston, it's hard to make a case for a home win here, especially as thatfour-game run without a win has come at home to Charlton, Huddersfield, Wolves and Blackburn - hardly the cream of current Championship sides.
On the other hand Cardiff's away form doesn't inspire much confidence either. Asides from the win at bottom-placed Bolton last time out they haven't won on their travels since their visit to Nottingham Forest at the end of August. That means the two options in this market look to be give it a swerve or, as so often is the value in the Championship, back the draw. I'm going to opt for the latter!

Over/Under 2.5 goals
As is currently the norm in most Championship games at the moment, unders is favoured by the market here at 1.66 with overs available to back at 2.34. And that's where I think we can find some Friday night value. For Cardiff's last four games have actually featured no less than 18 goals - two 3-2 wins and two 2-2 draws. This has coincided with Watt's arrival in the Welsh capital, which also seems to have spurred fellow City strikers Jones and Steve Morison into life.
Admittedly the Blues haven't been troubling the scorers too much lately with just two goals in their last five games but prior to that they scored five at Fulham and on Tuesday night they should have scored at least two at Preston. That shows that Rowett's men do have the ability to find the net themselves and at this price I think it's well worth taking the chance the visitors lure them out into an open game in this fixture.

Recommended Bets
Back The Draw @ 3.30
Back Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.34

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