Cardiff v Wolves
Friday 30 November, 20:00
Live on Sky Sports

Cardiff battling hard

Cardiff are in the relegation zone in 19th place but they are not the lost cause many predicted at the start of the season and are in the thick of the battle among a bottom six separated by just two points.
Having failed to win in their first eight games, Neil Warnock's side have started to find their feet and have now taken something from four of their seven games (two wins, two draws) against teams outside the top six.
Warnock has no injury issues with his first-choice players, although forwards Kenneth Zohore and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing remain sidelined.

Wolves winless in five

Wolves suffered a shock with last week's 2-0 home defeat by Huddersfield, a side not too dissimilar in character and style to Cardiff, and that has taken some of the shine off their bright start to the season.
Nuno Espirito Santo's side lie 11th on 16 points but they are now winless in five and other managers - not least Warnock - will have noted how Huddersfield nullified midfield duo Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho with their combative approach.
This had the makings of a feisty encounter anyway given the bad blood after Wolves' 1-0 win here in April towards the end of their promotion scrap. There wasn't much between the sides last season, with Cardiff winning at Wolves and missing two 90th-minute penalties in the home match.

Lack of goals hurting Wolves

Home form may hold the key to survival for Cardiff, who have won two of their last three on their own ground with victories over Fulham (4-2) and Brighton (2-1) either side of a 1-0 defeat in the unique atmosphere of Leicester's first match after the helicopter tragedy.
The 3-2 defeat by Arsenal in their second home match was an early indication that Warnock's side would have a go in front of their own fans and they have been competitive at home with the exception of the 5-0 loss to Manchester City.
Cardiff, however, have conceded first in five of their seven home games (one was a goalless draw against Newcastle) and that is a worrying sign despite their fighting spirit in coming back to win against Fulham and Brighton.
It might be a dangerous path against Wolves, who have shown their own resilience in holding out for four wins and two draws from the six matches where they scored first.
The problem with Wolves is their lack of goals. They have yet to score more than once in an away game and that makes them vulnerable against a team as dogged and direct as Cardiff.
Wolves have plenty of class but look too short and the value lies with a positive result for the hosts. The selection is Cardiff on draw no bet at 2.74.

Cardiff best on front foot

Cardiff's best performances at home - the wins against Fulham and Brighton and the defeat by Arsenal - have featured plenty of goals but it is difficult to call which way this match will go.
The Championship match here in April was 1-0 to Wolves and they have shown similar tendencies this season, with all six away games having under 2.5 goals. Nuno's game plan appears to be for his side to keep it tight and try to nick the odd goal.
Warnock has deployed similar tactics on the road but his team offer more threat at home, with all four home games where they have scored going over 2.5 goals.

Opta Stat

The away team hasn't won any of the last 20 Premier League meetings between two promoted sides (D7 L13), since Leicester won 1-0 at Burnley in April 2015. Cardiff are 3.95for the win.
RECOMMENDED BETS
Back Cardiff on draw no bet at 2.74

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