Tag Archives: Bluebirds

Bluebirds aim to keep flying

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There is a full programme of Championship football on Saturday with all 24 clubs in action. Cardiff are sitting pretty at the top of the table and will hope to maintain that lead against lowly Ipswich. We will take a look at that match-up and the other big ties affecting the top clubs this weekend (Cardiff 9/2 Championship Outright).

Ipswich v Cardiff City

While August was a mixed month for the Bluebirds, the advent of September saw the Welshmen’s season ignite with four wins and just one defeat en route to the top of the standings.

And October also began well with a 2-1 victory over Birmingham City to welcome the start of autumn as they opened up a one-point gap on Leicester City.

The task now for the capital club is to keep it going and a trip to Portman Road does not look too taxing for Malky Mackay’s charges.

The Tractor Boys last tasted league success back on August 21 at Watford and since swatting the Hornets, they have lost four and drawn three games and these are worrying times for the East Anglia outfit.

Home form is always the key to success and Ipswich have yet to win on their own patch with two draws and two losses, while they have only scored four goals.

It is true that Cardiff’s away form has not been their strength to date, with just one win on their travels, but they look a confident outfit and should have enough to claim the spoils from this one.

But history is not on their side as Cardiff have only won three times at Portman Road and were beaten 3-0 in the corresponding fixture last season.

Craig Bellamy looks set to miss out due to injury and Tommy Smith is doubtful, while midfielder Luke Hyam has been ruled out for Town but Michael Chopra is fit to play.

Pressure is mounting on Ipswich boss Paul Jewell and things might be even worse on Saturday night.

Odds: Ipswich 2/1, Cardiff 13/10, draw 12/5

Leicester City v Bristol City

Hot on the Bluebirds’ heels are the Foxes who, like the team above them in the table, won four of five Championship games in September.

That is certainly promotion form and they took some decent scalps last month, with wins at home to Blackpool and Hull while claiming all three points against Middlesbrough at the Riverside.

Victory at Huddersfield last time out made it back-to-back away wins but they are back on home territory this weekend and, with Cardiff playing at tea time, they could temporarily sit at the top of the table.

While they have not really blown any teams off the park, Nigel Pearson’s charges have been efficient and solid at the back and that augurs well for the season’s promotion push.

The East Midlanders have won all four of their home games and conceded just two goals in the process and, while that record will end at some stage, Bristol do not look like the club to ruin the home fans’ afternoon this weekend.

They have taken four points from a possible 12 on their travels but scored only four goals in the process and the Robins currently sit in 14th place in the table.

One win in their last six games is not the sort of form that is going to cause opposition managers too many sleepless nights and, with the middle of the division looking congested, they could easily be sucked into the danger zone if results do not improve.

Odds: Leicester 4/7, Bristol City 5/1, draw 11/4

Derby County v Brighton

Brighton are just one point behind Leicester in third but cannot afford to rest on their laurels with several big clubs nestled in behind and waiting to pounce.

Five consecutive victories had seen the Seagulls fly up the table but defeat at home to Birmingham and a draw with Ipswich last time out has thwarted their progress.

However a trip to Pride Park will not faze Gus Poyet’s high-flyers as they have already picked up nine points from four games away from home and appear happy to continue their brand of passing football away from the Amex.

Indeed it could be argued that they are happier on the road as the south coast club have already dropped seven points on their own patch this term.

They will face a Derby side in mid-table who have scored 11 goals in their four home games this season with two wins in the East Midlands already.

They did lose their last home encounter to Burnley but have taken 10 points from a possible 18 and will be no pushovers this weekend.

Poyet will still be without strikers Craig Mackail-Smith and Vicente with the duo set to return to action after the international break and they will be looking to improve on a record of just four goals in their last four matches.

Odds: Derby 13/8, Brighton 13/8, draw 9/4

Blackpool v Charlton

Blackpool are one of four teams on 16 points and they will hope to add another three to that tally when they welcome the struggling Addicks to Bloomfield Road on Saturday.

The seaside town certainly enjoyed the back end of the summer with a maximum nine points in August, with 10 goals scored and just one conceded, but they found points and goals much more hard to come by in September.

Ian Holloway’s men took just four points from five league contests and suffered defeats to Leicester, Huddersfield and Cardiff.

But they bounced back to form with a 3-2 victory at Hull on Tuesday night to get their promotion bid back on track.

The Tangerines are desperate for another taste of the promised land after failing to stay in the top flight in their only season in the Premier League to date.

And the fact that they came so close to a return last season will surely spur them on to try to go one better this term.

The days when Charlton were a permanent fixture in the Premier League seem a long time ago and it would seem as though they will be fighting a relegation battle this campaign and not considering a push for promotion.

Chris Powell has been unable to halt his side’s slip down the standings and they are currently 20th in the table with just nine points, which includes one win at home and one away.

The boss made it clear to the Charlton fans that they would need at least one season to settle into the Championship before thinking about taking another step up, but if things do not improve they might well be back in League One next year.

Four defeats from their past six games has left the Londoners hovering above the drop zone but they will have taken some confidence from a 2-1 win at Derby the last time they ventured away from the Valley.

But facing Blackpool in the north west will be a lot tougher and it is hard to see them coming away with anything this weekend.

Odds: Blackpool 4/6, Charlton 4/1, draw 11/4

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Bluebirds to take down Eagles

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The thought of playing at Wembley must have been on the minds of most players from Crystal Palace and Cardiff City over the festive period as one of these sides will grace the turf at the home of football in the Carling Cup final this season (Crystal Palace 17/10, draw 23/10, Cardiff 8/5 in the match betting).

These two Championship teams are currently preparing for the first leg of their semi-final encounter on Tuesday, when the Bluebirds and their fans make the trip across the Welsh border to take on the Eagles at Selhurst Park.

Cardiff go into this game having been unable to imitate their Carling Cup form in the FA Cup as they crashed out in the third round of the competition with a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Premier League outfit West Brom last weekend.

The Bluebirds welcome back veteran defender Kevin McNaughton for the trip to the capital with the versatile player returning to action after three matches out with a calf strain.

Cardiff managed to beat Blackburn Rovers in the quarter-final of the competition to reach the final four and they ultimately sacrificed their hopes of continuing in the FA Cup by resting players for this game against the Eagles.

Crystal Palace manager Dougie Freedman is expected to make a host of chances after employing the same tactic as his opposite number on Tuesday – Malky Mackay – by playing a weakened side in their 1-0 FA Cup defeat against Derby County.

A host of unnamed players have come down with a bug this week which has delayed Freedman naming his squad that will look to take down a Bluebirds’ side who have lost just one game in their last 13 in the Championship.

The last time these two sides met was back in November and it was Mackay’s men who came out on top, with a 2-0 victory at the Cardiff City Stadium as their star men came to the fore.

Scotland striker Kenny Miller (6/1 First Goalscorer) and Peter Whittingham were on target for the home side that day and they will once again be a threat for Palace on Tuesday in what should be open game.

The Eagles have threats of their own with Wilfried Zaha (8/1 First Goalscorer) becoming a highly rated player at Selhurst Park and looks set to cause the Cardiff defence problems.

Darren Ambrose who scored the wonder strike to put Palace through to the last four of the Carling Cup is another standout player, as his goal knocked out Premier League champions Manchester United at Old Trafford in the upset of the tournament this season.

This should be a close encounter as Palace have come on leaps and bounds this term under the leadership of Freedman.

However Cardiff are in fine form and with their decent record at Selhurst Park – having lost just once on their last five visits, they should take a lead back to Wales for the second leg.

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Bluebirds set to soar at the Ricoh

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There are two Championship fixtures on Tuesday evening which could have ramifications at both ends of the table as Birmingham host Burnley, while Cardiff can go third if they avoid defeat at a Coventry side entrenched in the relegation zone (totesport – Championship).

Coventry v Cardiff (7.45pm)

The Sky Blues host the Bluebirds at the Ricoh Arena with the two sides desperate to secure three points for very different reasons.

Andy Thorn’s Coventry side threw away a lead on Saturday to go down 2-1 against high-flying West Ham on home soil and remain in second-bottom spot  – but six points behind Burnley in the final position of safety with a far inferior goal difference.

However, their hopes of securing a much-needed win will not be helped by the arrival of Malky Mackay’s in-form Welsh outfit, who arrive on the back of a 2-1 victory at Reading on Saturday – a third successive win.

Coventry were very unfortunate to lose against the Hammers at the weekend as Sam Allardyce’s men came from behind with two lucky goals.

Therefore, Thorn is looking for a similar performance from his players, whilst hoping Lady Luck shows here face for his charges as they bid for a first win in seven attempts.

However, Cardiff are one of the in-form teams of the division at the moment and they know even a draw at the Ricoh Arena will take them above Middlesbrough and into third place, while a win will see them move to within a point of West Ham, albeit having played a game more.

On that basis it is difficult to see anything other than an away win, but don’t expect Coventry to roll over without a fight. And, if they do get the rub of the green, it would not be a massive surprise if they nicked a point.

Prediction: Away Win 90 Minutes @ 21/20
Value Bet: Coventry/Cardiff HT/FT @ 25/1

Birmingham v Burnley (7.45pm)

Chris Hughton’s Blues continue to play catch-up in the Championship in terms of the number of games played due to their Europa League involvement and in making ground on the play-off places.

And, they have a perfect chance to move within two points of the top-six, whilst still possessing two games in hand over the majority of teams above them, when playing host to struggling Burnley on Tuesday at St Andrew’s.

Blues blew two points at the weekend when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Peterborough on home soil despite dominating the entire game.

Hughton admitted it felt like a defeat, while goal scorer Marlon King stressed that the side must be more clinical in front of goal in future matches if they are going to achieve their aim of returning to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

The point for City means they have now gone three games without a league win and they will be desperate to put things right this week.

Burnley arrive in a desperate run of form having slipped to a last-gasp 2-1 defeat against Leeds at Turf Moor at the weekend – a third straight Championship defeat.

It leaves the increasingly under-pressure Eddie Howe’s men just outside the relegation places – two points ahead of third-bottom Bristol City – and in dire need of a result.

However, their plight has not been helped by the loss of striker Charlie Austin to a dislocated shoulder injury suffered against Leeds which could sideline him for a spell.

So, with both sides in need of the points, the outcome will be determined by the quality on the pitch and, if Birmingham can produce a similar display to the Posh encounter on Saturday, they will certainly not be denied the win on this occasion.

Prediction: Home Win 90 Minutes @ 4/5
Value Bet: Birmingham 3-1 Correct Score @ 14/1

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Whites target Bluebirds revenge

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Sunday’s only clash in the npower Championship throws up what will undoubtedly be a fiery encounter between Leeds United and Cardiff City at Elland Road (Leeds 11/10, draw 9/4, Cardiff 2/1).

There is certainly no love lost between these two rivals and Leeds will be looking for payback after they suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat at the hands of the Bluebirds on home soil last season.

The Whites have come on a long way since that sorry night at Elland Road and now look to have established themselves as one of the tougher sides to beat in the Championship.

Leeds failed to spend big money in the summer transfer window unlike other teams, with the likes of West Ham United and Leicester City splashing the cash.

However players have come to the fore and one man in particular will be looking to prove a point on Sunday.

Scotland international Ross McCormack (5/1 first goalscorer) was seen as surplus to requirements by Cardiff before he was snapped up by Leeds, and since making a slow start to life in West Yorkshire, has become the club’s top goalscorer this season.

The former Motherwell striker has been a threat throughout the Championship campaign so far and will be desperate to add to his tally against the Bluebirds.

Other players who have pushed on for the Whites have come from the club’s academy as Tom Lees and Aidy White have become mainstays in the side under manager Simon Grayson this season.

Leeds go into this on the back of a defeat to Birmingham in midweek but there will still be plenty of confidence in the ranks.

However in Cardiff they come up against a side who have been a bogie team for the Whites over the years.

Leeds have not beaten the Welsh outfit since the 1984/1985 season and the Bluebirds go into this game in a tidy bit of form.

A City win on Sunday would give them three victories in just over week, after they picked up three points against Barnsley last weekend and beat Burnley in midweek to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup.

Cardiff may be without their own Scottish striker Kenny Miller, who required 20 stitches after his collision with his own team-mate Ben Turner.

However manager Malky Mackay still has the services of Welsh striker Rob Earnshaw (6/1 first goalscorer), who will be a player that Leeds need to be wary of on Sunday.

This is a close game to call considering the form of both teams and the high quality of personnel on both sides.

However Leeds have only lost one game at home in the Championship so far and will be fired up for this one with that 4-0 defeat in the back of their minds.

The Whites should scrape this one but expect plenty of goals between these two attacking sides, as Leeds hope to end their long wait for a win over the battling Bluebirds.

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Bluebirds out to halt marching Saints

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malky mackaySouthampton have once again proved how important momentum can be at the start of the Championship season, and they will hope to continue their impressive form so far when they cross the border to take on Cardiff City on Wednesday night (Cardiff 13/8, draw 23/10, Southampton 13/8).

Cardiff v Southampton

The Saints are competing at the top of the table following promotion from League One last term – continuing the trend of teams who have recently done well after coming up from the third tier.

Last season, it was the likes of Norwich City, Millwall and Leeds United who were battling near the top end early on, with the Canaries ultimately securing back-to-back promotions.

Southampton will be looking to imitate that success under manager Nigel Adkins, who has worked wonders at St Mary’s since he joined from Scunthorpe United, but his side face a tough test against a highly-respected Cardiff in midweek.

The Saints will be boosted by the return of trio Dan Harding, Radhi Jaidi and Lee Barnard (7/1 first goalscorer) who have all recovered from injuries.

Getting the first goal could be key for Southampton, as the men from the south coast have won all five games where they have taken the lead and a victory against the Bluebirds would make it their best start in the league for 58 years.

Cardiff have been on a great run of form, however, and haven’t tasted defeat in their last seven league and cup outings and will be a tough proposition – especially on their home turf.

With the way the Saints have been playing, they have the ability to get something out of this game, though, and Adkins’ side should come away from Wales with a point.

Middlesbrough v Leicester

In the only other game in the Championship on Wednesday, two title contenders – Middlesbrough and Leicester City – go head-to-head at the Riverside (Middlesbrough 5/4, draw 12/5, Leicester 21/10).

Both games between these two sides ended in draws last season with six goals being scored in the last game at the Riverside.

You can expect goals in this upcoming clash, too, with attacking threats all over the park for both clubs.

The Foxes (7/1 Championship outright) welcome back David Nugent, who has managed to recover from a hamstring injury which has ruled him out of action in the Championship for the last month.

Boro have looked strong in defence this term but, with the likes of Nugent, Darius Vassell and Jermaine Beckford in their ranks, Leicester will fancy their chances of getting on the scoresheet.

It is tough to call a winner in this one between two fairly evenly-matched sides but, based on current form, Middlesbrough should just edge it to keep the pressure on the Saints at the top of the table.

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Bluebirds hope for flying start

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The Championship appears as if it could be the league to watch this season with a number of sides vying for promotion. Two of the more fancied sides face off on Sunday with West Ham (4/1 Championship outright) hosting Cardiff in what could be an explosive match.

After a hugely disappointing time last term which saw them relegated from the Premier League, the Hammers will be aiming to get off to a flying start as they look to return to the top-flight at the first attempt.

Many fans were disappointed in the manner in which the team went down, complaining that the side appeared as if they didn’t care about playing for the club. The majority blamed coach Avram Grant for their lack of motivation and the Israeli was relieved of his duties after the Irons were relegated in their penultimate fixture at Wigan.

Grant was replaced by former Bolton boss Sam Allardyce, who some fans believed should have been appointed last season following his sacking from Blackburn, and ‘Big Sam’ will make sure his players are fired up for their opening match of the season (West Ham 4/5 to beat Cardiff).

Supporters suggested the team lacked leadership throughout last season but Allardyce immediately addressed this problem by bringing in Kevin Nolan from another of his former sides, Newcastle. Nolan played under the manager at the Reebok and was immediately installed as skipper upon his arrival after being one of the stand-out players for Newcastle last term and he will be looking to make a major impact on his Upton Park debut.

Cardiff (4/1 to be promoted) will also have high hopes of promotion this season, though, after once again falling short in the play-offs last term. The Bluebirds have had a difficult summer and the club’s financial troubles have hampered their progress in the transfer market with a number of key players leaving on free transfers.

The Welsh side were taken over by a Malaysian consortium in May and the new owners appear to be keen to avoid repeating the mistakes of the previous regime at the Cardiff City stadium.

They have made a number of shrewd signings with former Rangers striker Kenny Miller (12/1 Championship top scorer) the stand-out name. Miller left Ibrox in January but had an unhappy time playing at Turkish side Bursaspor before returning to the UK. Now many are predicting he could be one of the stars of the season.

He is likely to be joined up front by Robert Earnshaw (9/4 to score anytime at Upton Park), who returns to the club he grew up at, and the duo could prove a potent combination this term as the club look to finally break into the Premier League.

The match has all the potential to be an opening-weekend classic with both sides looking to play open and entertaining football.

‘However, the pair of Miller and Earnshaw could expose the Hammers’ defensive frailties, meaning Malky Mackay’s side might just sneak the points to dampen the summer optimism currently pervading Upton Park.

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Bluebirds and Canaries to soar

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Everybody knows two into one doesn’t go, but that is the situation facing Norwich City and Cardiff City heading into the last two matches of the Championship season. With QPR taking the first of two automatic promotion positions there is just one left to play for as the Canaries and Bluebirds prepare for their respective bank holiday Monday games.

Both clubs take on teams with nothing to play for in Portsmouth and Middlesbrough, and come Monday night you’d expect there to be still just a point separating the two promotion hopefuls. We preview both games and pick out the best bets in the Championship double header.

Cardiff v Middlesbrough (5:15pm)
The Welsh outfit have been on fire of late and if they don’t overhaul Norwich they will certainly be the favourites to erase the play-off heartache of last season. Five wins in the last six matches have seen the Bluebirds keep the pressure on Norwich, recovering from a mid-season slump which threatened to derail their automatic promotion hopes. Dave Jones’ men know they must not lose to take the promotion chase to the last day of the season and will be confident of taking apart a Boro side who are now safe from the drop.

Tony Mowbray has given the Teeside outfit a renewed sense of hope after Gordon Strachan’s disastrous time in charge, epitomised by their record of coming behind to win on eight separate occasions. Boro have lost just once in the last ten league matches but have an awful record at Cardiff, losing on their last six visits to the Welsh capital. The Bluebirds are 8/15 to pick up the win at home and having averaged two goals a game at the Cardiff City Stadium recently will be confident of picking up another three points. With that in mind the handicap market will be worth a look, especially if Jay Bothroyd, Craig Bellamy and Peter Whittingham all play.

Match bet - Cardiff to win @ 6/5 with a -1 handicap

Portsmouth v Norwich (7:45pm)
Two more wins and Norwich will be back in the big time just three seasons after being relegated to League One. The future at Carrow Road looked bleak when they dropped out of the Championship but under Paul Lambert the Canaries have been flying. The East Anglia outfit have won their last three matches, including last week’s dramatic stoppage time victory against Derby, which put QPR’s promotion party on hold for another week.

They travel to Portsmouth knowing that if Cardiff lose against Boro they can be promoted, and they will fancy their chances against a Pompey side who have been poor since making sure they will be in the Championship next season. Steve Cotterill’s men have one won of their last nine matches and some of their players look like they are already on the beach. With that in mind it might be worth looking at Totesport’s enhanced double, which is giving punters odds of 9/4 that both Norwich and Cardiff win. They are also offering 20/1 on Bothroyd of Cardiff and Grant Holt of Norwich both to score in their respective games.

While the Canaries do look nervous they should have enough in their locker to take care of Portsmouth, especially when you consider their last away game resulted in a 5-1 victory for Lambert’s men.

Match bet – Norwich to win @11/10

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Blades look to clip Bluebirds

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It could not be much tighter in the race for promotion and the battle for survival in the Championship and Tuesday night throws up a full list of fixtures with some intriguing games (totesport – Championship outright and match markets).

Sheffield United would not have dreamed that they would be rock bottom of the table after 40 games this season given that they were tipped to push for a return back to the Premier League.

However, they find themselves seven points off safety and will be desperate for all three points when they face Cardiff City at Bramall Lane on Tuesday (Sheffield Utd, 12/5, draw 23/10, Cardiff 21/20 – match prices).

The South Yorkshire club were unlucky not to get a point against Middlesbrough last weekend when they lost 2-1 with Marvin Emnes scoring with a late goal to deny the home side a point.

It’s difficult to see the Blades getting out of this one but if they are to pull off a miracle escape they will have to start with a win against Cardiff.

The Bluebirds have started to find their form again after suffering a blip with a run of four games without a win.

However, victories over Derby and Doncaster have got City firing at the right time and they are looking strong, with just a point between themselves and the automatic places.

It’s hard to see the Blades picking up the three points but with the Red and Whites battling for their lives they might just bag a point against an impressive Cardiff side.

In a game that throws up a similar scenario Scunthorpe United take on Reading at Glanford Park (Scunthorpe 16/5, draw 11/4, Reading 8/11 – match prices).

The Iron are five points off safety thanks to one of the shock results of the weekend as they beat top-of-the-table QPR 4-1 on Saturday.

It’s been a rollercoaster ride for Scunthorpe fans in recent weeks, as they were thrashed 6-0 by Norwich City in their previous outing.

Reading have been the big movers in recent weeks and currently sit in fifth place in the table thanks to six straight wins on the bounce.

The Royals came through a thrilling encounter against Nottingham Forest in the pick of the weekend’s games with a 4-3 victory at the City Ground.

Once again it’s hard to see Scunthorpe winning against Reading on Tuesday and this time the visitors look too good at the moment not to pick up all three points and strengthen their play-off position.

Forest will be looking to get their season back on track when they take on Burnley at the City Ground on Tuesday (Forest 20/21, draw 23/10, Burnley 11/4 – match prices).

Billy Davies and his men have had a torrid time in recent weeks and have failed to win in their last nine Championship games.

Big defeats to play-off rivals Reading, Leeds United and Swansea have left their dreams of returning to the Premier League this season in the balance.

As for Burnley they too have gone off the boil at just the wrong time, as they are currently on a run of three straight defeats.

The 4-0 hammering by Leicester City won’t do the Burnley squad confidence any good but they must win this if they want any hope of being in the play-offs.

Forest have been slightly unlucky in recent weeks and their fortunes should turn and around with three points against the Clarets.

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Big night for Bluebirds

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Eight Championship clubs do battle on Tuesday night with Burnley’s trip to second-placed Cardiff the undoubted highlight as the season prepares to reach boiling point.

Cardiff v Burnley

A win for the Bluebirds will see them close the gap on leaders Queens Park Rangers back to three points while a Clarets victory would keep the visitors in touch with the play-off places.

It’s hard to see past Cardiff in this one, given the fact only Nottingham Forest and fierce rivals Swansea have left Cardiff City Stadium with maximum returns this season.

Dave Jones’ side’s home form, coupled with Burnley’s paltry return of just three wins on the road, points to a City win, but Burnley have picked up seven draws away from home and have a decent defensive record.

Take Draw/Cardiff – Half-Time/Full-Time @ 7/2

Watford v Preston

Preston’s decision to replace Darren Ferguson with Phil Brown has made no impact and North End make the trip to Vicarage Road propping up the division.

Ten points adrift, the Deepdale side appear to be doomed while further up the table the Hornets need to make their games in hand count if they are going to make inroads towards the top six.

The sides have not met so far this season in the Championship – the reverse fixture takes place on the final day – but Watford took four points from the games last term.

Take Watford to win 2-0 @ 11/2

Doncaster v Ipswich

Unlike Preston, Ipswich have seen an upturn in fortunes since the appointment of a new boss in Paul Jewell and they head to the Keepmoat on the back of a four-match unbeaten run in the Championship.

The revival is likely to keep the Tractor Boys away from relegation trouble but there is simply too much ground to make up in terms of the top six.

Doncaster in 16th are a place and a point worse off than Town but have seen their colours lowered just four times on home soil and Jewell’s side might not have the firepower to see them off.

Take the draw @ 23/10

Sheffield United v Reading
United are deep in the relegation mire after managing just seven wins in 30 attempts and they come up against a Royals outfit looking to keep their slim play-off hopes alive.

So there is plenty at stake at Bramall Lane for both sides, with recently appointed Blades chief Micky Adams yet to taste victory in eight attempts.

The home side also have a poor record against sides in the top half this term – Reading are currently 12th – so Adams run could well continue for at least another game.

Take Reading to score in both halves @ 13/5

Suggested accumulator: Cardiff, Watford and Reading.

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Watford can upset Bluebirds

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After an action-packed Boxing Day – with 25 goals in seven games – the Championship returns on Tuesday with some cracking games on the menu.

One of the key matches is at Vicarage Road, where Watford come up against promotion hopefuls Cardiff City…

Watford v Cardiff (3pm)

The Hornets have already ended QPR’s unbeaten run this season and Malky McKay’s men are capable of throwing a spanner in the works of Cardiff’s promotion push. Although the Bluebirds gained a much needed win over Coventry, they have lost their last two away games and Watford, whose Boxing Day game at Ipswich postponed, will prove a tough nut to crack.

Match Bet: Watford to win @ 13/8

Coventry v QPR (12:15pm)

The Sky Blues currently occupy a play-off spot, but performances suggest that is a false position and the leaders will prove too strong for the home side. Having bounced back from consecutive defeats, Neil Warnock’s men will grind down a stubborn Coventry line-up, who struggle for goals – with just two in their last four games.

Match Bet: Draw HT/QPR FT @ 9/2

Leeds v Portsmouth (3pm)

Leeds are on a 10-game unbeaten run and are the in-form side in the division, but face a potential banana skin on Tuesday. Simon Grayson’s men have been more impressive away from Elland Road and they come up against a Pompey team that have already won four times on their travels this season.

Match Bet: Draw @ 5/2

Swansea v Barnsley (3pm)

This looks to have home win written all over it, with the Swans beaten just twice at home and eyeing a return to the top three. Brendan Rodgers’ men will be looking to bounce back from a hammering at QPR when they face a Barnsley team that have collected just eight points from a possible 27 on their travels.

Match Bet: Swansea to win 2-0 @ 11/2

Hull v Reading (3pm)

The Tigers are on an unbeaten run that stretches back to early November and are starting to find the net on regular occasions, with Jay Simpson bagging four in the last two games. Reading are also on a good run, though, with seven matches without defeat catapulting them up to seventh. Expect a tight affair.

Match Bet: Draw @ 23/10

Bristol City v Crystal Palace (3pm)

Both of these teams have struggled this season and both look doomed to battle against relegation, with just 13 wins in 44 matches between them. The Robins may have lost their last two, but they were tough away games at Hull and Reading, and they have won their last three at Ashton Gate without conceding a goal. Palace have only one once on their travels and the loss of loan striker James Vaughan is a huge blow.

Match Bet: Bristol City to win 2-0 @ 7/1

Burnley v Scunthorpe (3pm)

Burnley have won seven of their 11 home matches this term and should prove too strong for a Scunny side looking doomed to the drop. Although the Iron have won five times on their travels, the loss of Freddie Sears will hit them hard and the Clarets will prove too strong.

Match Bet: Over 2.5 goals @ 4/6

Preston v Middlesbrough (3pm)
It’s bottom versus fourth bottom at Deepdale, with both teams showing signs of waking from their slumber in recent weeks. Preston are unbeaten in their last three (one win and two draws) while Boro recently defeated Cardiff and were unlucky to lose by the odd goal at Doncaster and Coventry.

Match Bet: Draw @ 23/10

Millwall v Leicester (3pm)
Two of the most inconsistent teams in the league meet at the New Den and every result is possible when the Lions face the Foxes. Millwall have not lost in five games, while Leicester have moved away from the bottom three, although they have lost their last three away games.

Match Bet: Millwall HT/Draw FT @ 14/1

Norwich v Sheffield United (3pm)
Two former Premier League teams meet at Carrow Road, but while Norwich continue to prosper, Sheffield United appear to be on a slippery slope. With no permanent manager and just seven goals scored away from home, the Blades look to be in trouble and the stats point to a home success.

Match Bet: Norwich to win @ 10/11

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