Cardiff vs Plymouth Prediction: Argyle can nail first away win

Cardiff City sit bottom of the Championship after nine games, and look set to give their interim manager Omer Riza a bit more time at the helm, having not made a permanent appointment over the international break. Their next test comes at home to Plymouth Argyle, as Wayne Rooney brings his Pilgrims to Wales for an early kick-off (12.30, Sky Sports+). 

This should be an entertaining encounter as the Bluebirds target their second league win of the season. Below you can find my Cardiff vs Plymouth prediction with team news and betting tips.

Team News

Manolis Siopis had a busy international break for Greece, playing over an hour against England and the full 90 in the 2-0 success over Ireland. He should be fit to return for Cardiff here while the injured duo of Aaron Ramsey and Kion Etete will have worked on their rehabilitation during this time off. Ramsey is expected to return in a month’s time, while Etete looks to be following a similar timeframe. 

After taking four points in their last two games, Riza may choose to stick with his settled side, which features Callum Robinson up front and Rubin Colwill in the number 10 position. Although Callum O’Dowda got some minutes upon his return from injury at Ashton Gate, he may have to settle for a place on the bench once again. 

Meanwhile, Plymouth boss Rooney has a decision to make up front. Michael Obafemi started last time out against Blackburn, but Ryan Hardie has been Argyle’s go-to man over the past few years. The trio behind the number nine are incredibly exciting, with Morgan Whittaker, Rami Al Hajj and Ibrahim Cissoko all capable of scoring goals. Bali Mumba should start this one at full-back, having been dropped for the 1-0 defeat to Burnley in their last away game. 

Cardiff vs Plymouth Odds

Cardiff are priced at 19/20 to win this game, while Plymouth can be backed at 12/5. A draw can be backed at 23/10, over 2.5 goals is 4/5 and BTTS is 4/6. Wilfried Kanga and Morgan Whittaker are joint-favourites to open the scoring at 13/2. 

Plymouth to win @ 12/5

Plymouth have picked up just one point on the road this season and it has been their terrific Home Park showing that have boosted them up the table so far. So why am I backing them to bag their first away win in the Welsh capital? Well, I think Rooney is fairly decent at setting his team up at home in an attacking manner, and given Cardiff’s weakness, he should go for their throats early on. 

Although four points from the last two games is a good return from Riza, the Bluebirds weren’t particularly impressive in Bristol and the squad still lacks something in my eyes. There’s no better time for Plymouth to pick up their first away win and I think their attacking talent will be too much for Cardiff to deal with. I’m going for an away win, and I think the odds are slightly too heavily weighted against Plymouth here, so let’s take advantage of the generous 12/5 on offer. 

Morgan Whittaker to score anytime @ 9/4

Whittaker has been slightly disappointing this season in terms of output. He scored 19 league goals last term and was one of the standout wingers in the league in his first season at this level. That was a remarkable campaign for him individually, and of course Plymouth stayed up, but he did tail off towards the end of the season. 

With a new manager at the helm perhaps it is understandable that he’s only managed two in nine so far in the Championship, but I’d expect his numbers to begin to increase. He scored the injury-time winner against Blackburn last time out and that should have given him huge confidence boost heading into the break. He’s played every minute so far in the league, and is still Rooney’s go-to man, so I’d expect him to find the net against a leaky Cardiff defence on Saturday.

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