Eng. Championship
2011-10-22 - Cardiff City vs Barnsley
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football : English Championship
Saturday 22 October 2011 - Kickoff 3pm
Cardiff City
It was always looking like being a tough season for Cardiff City after they removed Dave Jones as manager in the Summer and replaced him with Malky Malpay. The Bluebirds have been close to promotion to the Premier League in the last two seasons, but getting into the Play Offs was going to be an achievement this year.
They have really struggled away from home this season and so sit in 13th place in the Championship, although only 9 points off the top of the table in a congested Division. Cardiff are 3-2-1 at home this season, scoring 10 goals and conceding 7.
Cardiff have failed to win any of their last 3 games in the Championship and have struggled for form, winning just 1 of their last 7 games in all competitions. The team have also won just 1 of their last 3 games at home, drawing the other two games including a 2-2 draw with Ipswich last time out.
Kenny Miller looks set to return to the squad after missing a few weeks with an injury. Rudy Gestede has been ruled out with an injury.
Barnsley
While Cardiff were expected to have a tough transitional season, Barnsley were odds on to be relegated with all the financial problems at Oakwell, but they have really performed above expectations at this early stage of the new season.
Barnsley are 15th in the table having accumulated just 2 points less than Cardiff so far this season and they have only been beaten in 3 of their 12 League games this season. They Tykes have been solid away from home where they have a 1-4-1 record, and have scored 4 goals and conceded 5. Only West Ham and Middlesbrough have conceded less goals away from home so far this season.
The team have been in fine form of late, losing 1 of their last 9 League games since being beaten 1-3 at home by Middlesbrough. That defeat came in their last away game at Portsmouth after they had secured 3 consecutive draws away from home before that.
Bobby Hassell and Jay McEveley both missed Barnsley's win over Burnley last week and are unlikely to be back in the squad this week. Matty Done and Danny Haynes are also missing for the away side.
Head to Head
Barnsley have avoided defeat in their last 2 away games against Cardiff, including a 2-2 draw here last season.
Goals have generally flowed in games here, with 3 of the last 4 ending with 3 or more goals scored.
Cardiff had beaten Barnsley 3 times in a row at home before the last 2 games.
Prediction
Cardiff and Barnsley should both be capable of getting on the scoreboard for this game, as both have been scoring goals of late and also conceding when looking at their home and away form.
Cardiff have been involved in some high scoring games of late, while Barnsley have looked capable of scoring on their travels, while not keeping clean sheets.
The Over 2.5 Goals has been priced up at 2.00 and the recent history between the teams here suggest it has a decent chance of coming in, as well as recent form, and I will give it a go this weekend.
The Pick :
Cardiff City 2-1 Barnsley
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.00
