Live on BBC 1 & Skysports 2: Sat 12.45 & 17.20: Cardiff’s push for Championship promotion will be put to the test as they host QPR.
Cardiff have hit form at precisely the right time, winning four games in a row to give themselves a genuine chance of automatic promotion but they won’t find it easy to maintain their momentum this weekend as they come up against leaders and likely champions QPR.
Given their outstanding goal difference, victory for Rangers in south Wales will effectively guarantee them Premiership football next season, barring a mathematical miracle but they might have to keep the champagne on ice for a while yet as the Bluebirds could nick this one.
Of course, Neil Warnock’s men are top of the pile for a reason and with four clean sheets in their last five games, they won’t be easy to break down but the hosts are strong at home and Dave Jones’ men have also been potent in attack of late, scoring 17 goals in just six outings so if any team can break down QPR, it’s Cardiff.
In addition, Rangers were hammered 4-1 at Scunthorpe just a couple of weeks ago, a result that will give the Bluebirds plenty of encouragement and it’s the home win that catches the eye at 11/8 with .
Nevertheless, it won’t be easy for the hosts for obvious reasons and brave punters might fancy William Hill’s chunky 3/1 for Jones’ troops to shade it a by a one-goal margin.
Hull’s play-off hopes are still alive after Saturday’s victory against Doncaster and with Middlesbrough up next at the KC Stadium, the Tigers will expect to take their recent tally to ten points from a possible dozen.
Well beaten at Burnley in midweek, Boro are nevertheless virtually safe and with twelve defeats in 21 outings on the road, they’re there for the taking for Nigel Pearson’s charges, who are 17/20 () to collect a crucial three points.
However, the visitors have failed to score just once in ten matches so they can at least bag a consolation and that can make the clash more lucrative for punters who can combine a home win and a match tally of at least three goals at 2/1 (bet365).
Sheffield United meanwhile, are all but relegated but can at least keep their faint hopes of survival alive by beating mid-table Bristol City at Bramall Lane, a result Betdaq offer at 2.45 (29/20).
The evening TV game sees Millwall as fairly solid 8/11 home favs (Sportingbet) against Preston but the Lions should be wary of a slight resurgence of Phil Brown’s men, who have picked up points here and there on the road of late.
PNE will be on one last lunge for survival and could be caught on the counter at The Den though, Millwall 11/4 to see it out by a 1 goal margin (bet365).
Recommended Bets:
Cardiff to beat QPR – 11/8 ()
Hull to beat Middlesbrough and match to produce over 2.5 goals – 2/1 (bet365)
Sheffield United to beat Bristol City – 2.45 (29/20, Betdaq)
Compare all Championship odds and bet at the best price.
