Eng. Championship
2011-10-22 - Cardiff City vs Barnsley
A Sports Betting Pick by ArmchairPunter
Football – England – Championship
Saturday 22nd October 2011 – Kickoff: 1500hrs
Mid-table Cardiff City find themselves slightly off the pace this season but will look to grab another three points when Barnsley come to town on Saturday as they seek a top six spot.
Cardiff City
Cardiff City have been largely disappointing so far this term and have won just one in their last six matches which sees them currently occupy 13th place; although this may not be such a bad thing for Cardiff as the early pressure to maintain a top three place has had a detrimental effect on them in previous campaigns.
The Bluebirds home record stands at 3-2-1 10/7, and are unbeaten in their last four at the Cardiff City Stadium with wins over Bristol City, Doncaster Rovers and leaders Southampton.
Cardiff also possess a few key players capable of creating and scoring on a regular basis in the shape of forwards Robert Earnshaw (3 goals), Kenny Miller (3 goals, 1 assist) and the ever-reliable Peter Whittingham (3 goals, 2 assists) as well as Icelandic midfielder Aron Gunnarsson (1 goal, 2 assists).
Barnsley
Barnsley make their way down to Wales just two places and two points behind their opponents today, and have won two of their last three matches which were at home against Coventry City and Burnley, the Tykes winning both matches 2-0.
However, they haven’t been so assured away from home as their record suggests 1-4-1 4/5, and along with Middlesbrough and Millwall, have drawn the most number of matches in the Championship so far (6).
Perhaps the reason for so many draws is their apparent lack of cutting edge or ruthlessness in front of goal, scoring just 11 in a total of 12 matches is hardly prolific.
Ironically, it’s a defender that is their leading scorer at the moment, Aiden Butterfield (4 goals, 2 assists), along with forward Andy Gray (3 goals, 2 assists) but that really is it for any sort of return so far.
The Betting Verdict
There is obviously the danger of a draw in this one, but I think Cardiff will just sneak through by just a one goal margin, 1-0 or 2-1.
The Pick :
Cardiff City 1-0 Barnsley (or 2-1)
BEST BETTING TIP :
Pick :Take Cardiff City to win @ 1.75 at Pinnacle
