Verdict: Cardiff City win
Best Odds: 27/10
Bookmaker: Bet365
Two sides who came up from the Championship together last season, Neil Warnock’s Cardiff side will host an out of form Wolves in what could be another fiery encounter on Friday night.
Cardiff
Starting with the hosts, while Neil Warnock’s side may find themselves sat 19th in the Premier League table, a position that many thought they would be in entering the Christmas period, Cardiff have shown some level of resolve and have won two of their last three Premier League matches in south Wales. Coming off the back of a close fought 1-0 loss away to Everton last weekend, the Bluebirds boss will know that their form at the Cardiff City Stadium could be what decides their future come next year. In fact, seven of the eight points that Cardiff have picked up this season have come at home. If the hosts are to pick up another home win, they will be looking for leading goalscorer Callum Paterson to lead from the front. The 24-year-old Scottish international has three Premier League goals in his last five top-flight appearances. Now sat just a single point adrift of safety, victory would see them record successive top-flight home wins in a single season for the first time since 1961-62.
Team News
Cardiff manager Neil Warnock has hinted he will make changes with three games in eight days looming.
Josh Murphy will likely be recalled, while Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Jazz Richards and Gary Madine are being assessed after recent injuries.
Wolves
As for the visitors, while many believed that Wolves were going to take the Premier League by storm following their runaway season in the Championship last year, Nuno Espírito Santo’s side have been drastically short of form of late. With their form epitomised by last weekend’s 2-0 loss away to strugglers Huddersfield, the Oranges have failed to win any of their last five Premier League matches, losing four of those outings. With many arguing that Santo’s decision to make minimal changes to his side has played a huge part in Wolves fatigue, they have made just 17 alterations this season, less than any other side in the division. If the visitors are to get their season back on track and stop freefalliing down the table, their Portuguese coach will be looking to improve on their form in the final third, Wolves have failed to score in three of their last four defeats and have scored just one away goal in over 300 minuets of football.
Team News
Wolves are again without Spaniard Jonny Otto because of a knee injury.
Diogo Jota is amongst several players pushing for a recall following last weekend’s 2-0 home defeat by Huddersfield.
Key Factors to Consider
- Seven of the Bluebirds’ eight points this season have come at home.
- Victory would see them record successive top-flight home wins in a single season for the first time since 1961-62.
- Wolves are winless in five league games, which includes four defeats and three matches without a goal.
- All four of their league wins have come against teams currently below them in the table.
- They have scored two first-half league goals in 2018-19, the lowest figure in the division.
Conclusion
Although Cardiff may have struggled against Wolves last season, we feel that the Bluebirds could have the edge on Friday. Given Wolves’ woeful run of form and Cardiff picking picking up the majority of their points on home soil, including putting two past Arsenal back in September, we’re backing a home with for Neil Warnock’s side on Friday night.
Verdict: Cardiff City win
Best Odds: 27/10
Bookmaker: Bet365
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
