Prediction: Cardiff vs Tottenham

Prediction: Tottenham win

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: bet365

Happy New Year’s Eve everyone! It’s almost time to break out the champagne as we gear up for what is sure to be a lively 2019. It’s fair to say that this year has been full of shocks and surprises in the world of football, especially in the Premier League, and we’re expecting to kick things off next year with a bang. One of the games that’ll have the responsibility of doing that is Cardiff City vs Tottenham Hotspur. Some would call it a David vs Goliath encounter, but we think there’s more to it than that.

Cardiff

Regardless of what people may think of him, Neil Warnock is doing a solid job in South Wales. He’s taken a side who were considered to be guaranteed relegation contenders and he’s given them a fighting chance. While there’s still a long way to go this season the Bluebirds should feel confident, especially now that they’ve picked up a two game unbeaten run. That might not exactly sound like much but when you’re down the bottom, anything other than a loss is a positive.

Team News

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Joe Bennett are currently being tipped to feature in the starting XI for this one, but aside from that, Warnock won’t want to upset the status quo too much after the win over Leicester.

Tottenham

As much as people may want to tell you otherwise, the pressure is on Tottenham Hotspur this season. With the rumours surrounding the future of Mauricio Pochettino alongside the expectation of them to be title contenders, Spurs have to start the year off strong. The loss against Wolves has left many to wonder whether or not they’ll ‘bottle’ it all over again, but if they can pick up a piece of silverware and finish in the top four, that’ll probably still be seen as a successful season.

Team News

Danny Rose and Juan Foyth are being tipped to come into the line-up. Serge Aurier is pushing for a start after returning from injury.

Factors to Consider

• The game will be played at the Cardiff City Stadium.
• Cardiff have won two, drawn one and lost three of their last six games.
• Tottenham have won four, drawn one and lost one of their last six games.
• Tottenham lead 27-11 in the overall head to head standings with 12 draws.
• In their last meeting, Tottenham beat Cardiff 1-0.

Conclusion

Cardiff should have some confidence going into this one, which isn’t something that many fans would’ve been anticipating that we’d say just a few short months ago. Spurs have stumbled a bit in the wake of the Wolves defeat and they are right there for the taking, and the Bluebirds are no strangers to an upset. We think they’ll pressure Spurs to the point where we go into half time goalless, but early in the second half the visitors will score before riding out the narrow 1-0 win to get themselves back on track.

Prediction: Tottenham win

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: bet365