BARNSLEY v CARDIFF CITY
Football : English : Championship
Saturday, April 14th, 2012, 3:00PM GMT

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PREVIEW

Barnsley sit 19th in the Championship, and I believe they are safe from relegation with 5 other sides struggling behind them, but they will want another 3 points to make sure of things. Cardiff City come here looking to improve on their position too, as they occupy the last playoff spot, and could win here and stay clear of Brighton, but also jump Blackpool.

The last match was a goal-fest, ending 5-3 in Wales with Cardiff City triumphing. The Carling Cup runners-up have done well in recent trips up here, beating Barnsley on 4 of their last 6 visits here. Cardiff have hit a bit of a slump in the last month or so, and have had to share the points in 5 of their last 6 league matches, but the one thing they are doing consistently is scoring. Cardiff have scored in 18 of their 21 away matches, a league best.

Cardiff have 60 goals this season, 12 more than Barnsley. They have also conceded 51 in 42 matches, which is 17 less than Barnsley have allowed. Barnsley have had a real problem scoring goals in recent games too, which is a worry. In their last 10 matches, they have managed a total of just 3 goals! They have been held scoreless in 7 of those matches, and so it comes as no surprise that they have just 1 win to show from their last 11 matches!

Cardiff do well away from home, and they have the kind of fight I require when betting on a side away from home. Barnsley crumble when they go behind, having salvaged just 2 points all season once they fall behind. Cardiff have had many draws away from home, 11 of their 17 draws came on their travels. But this is a venue they can win at, thanks to the inefficient offence of their hosts.

BETTING VERDICT

This should be close, possibly a win by a margin of just 1 goal, but I am going to take Cardiff to get it done at even money.

The Pick :

Cardiff City

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Cardiff City to win @ 2.00 (Coral)