Eng. Championship
2013-02-16 - Cardiff City vs Bristol City
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Championship
Saturday 16 February 2013 - Kick Off 1pm
Cardiff City
I'll be honest with you- if Cardiff City don't get promoted at the end of this season, they will never get back into the top flight of English football. With a huge lead in the Championship and no other distractions for them, Malky Mackay looks set to lead Cardiff to the Premier League and get over the mental hurdle of being so close to have done so in recent seasons.
They currently hold an 8 point lead to Hull City in 2nd place while, more importantly, Cardiff are a huge 11 points clear of Leicester City in the first of the Play Off places. Cardiff have been particularly effective at home this season, compiling a 12-1-1 record, scoring 25 goals and conceding 8 in those games.
Cardiff are unbeaten in 4 games since losing to Macclesfield Town in the FA Cup Third Round, although they have drawn 2 and won 2 of those 4 games while conceding just 1 goal. The side have won 2 and drawn 1 of their 3 games since losing their only home game against Peterborough United.
Bristol City
Sean O'Driscoll must have been privately very pleased in seeing his Bristol City side beat Nottingham Forest, his former club, in comfortable fashion at Ashton Gate last weekend. That result has also given the Robins a real chance of avoiding in the drop with 15 games left to play, although it is a tough ask getting anything from this stadium.
At the time of writing, Bristol City are 23rd in the Championship, but they are only 3 points behind Wolves in the safety positions, although having an inferior goal difference to all but two sides so far. Bristol City have a 3-2-10 record away from home, scoring 14 goals and conceding 24 in those games.
The win over Nottingham Forest means Bristol City have won 3 of their last 4 games in the Championship to give them a chance of surviving in this Division. However, the majority of their good results have come at Ashton Gate and Bristol City have lost 4 in a row on their travels in all competitions and failed to win any of their last 5 away from home.
Head to Head
Bristol City beat Cardiff City 4-2 at home earlier this season.
Cardiff have a very strong home record against Bristol City in recent seasons, winning 6 of their last 7 at home against them including 4 in a row.
Prediction
Cardiff City are plenty short to win this game and I think they will do so, although I am not willing to back them at the short odds nor to cover any handicaps with a lot of single goal wins under their belt.
I expect them to be challenged by Bristol City in this one, but the away side have failed to score in any of their last 3 games on their travels and Cardiff don't concede a lot of goals here.
Therefore, backing the home side to win to nil looks the best option at an attractive price.
The Pick :
Cardiff City 1-0 Bristol City
