AFC Wimbledon vs Cardiff Prediction: Bluebirds can continue great start

AFC Wimbledon face Cardiff City for the first time in a league match since the reformation of the home club, and the two sides look to continue a promising start to the season on Tuesday night (19:45 BST, Sky Sports+).

Below are my AFC Wimbledon vs Cardiff City predictions, featuring team news and match odds for the clash at Cherry Red Records Stadium.

Team News

Will Fish and Ryan Wintle returned to the Cardiff side on Saturday, but Perry Ng remains a doubt. He picked up a knee injury in pre-season.

Today's Football Fixtures

Delano McCoy-Splatt was substituted after a knock against Gillingham last Tuesday and did not feature on Saturday’s teamsheet for AFC Wimbledon.

AFC Wimbledon vs Cardiff Odds

Cardiff are the 6/5 favourites to win, the draw is 23/10, and hosts AFC Wimbledon are 12/5, or a 29.4% chance.

Match Result - Cardiff @ 6/5

Cardiff brushed aside Rotherham 3-0 on Saturday, providing further evidence that they are one of the better sides in League 1 this season.

Key player Yousef Salech got his first goal of the season, which must have pleased boss Brian Barry-Murphy after their only blip, a 0-0 draw away to Port Vale.

That was their only start away from Wales and by far the most disappointing of four matches this season, but a strong attacking performance makes the Bluebirds look complete, having looked defensively solid in their first four matches.

Football Odds

Last season’s League 2 play-off winners, AFC Wimbledon, produced a good performance to defeat Reading 2-1 on Saturday, and Johnnie Jackson’s side have so far looked at home in England’s third tier. They also only just lost late to promotion fancies Luton Town earlier this season.

The Wombles had the second-best home record in League 2 last season and won well against Lincoln in the only match at the Cherry Red Records Stadium this season.

This will be a far, far more difficult test, and Cardiff should have the edge in a close encounter.

Total Goals - Under 2.5 @ 8/13

AFC Wimbledon developed a reputation for being solid at the back, and that has continued in the early stages of their return to League 2.

Ten-man Lincoln City did not have a shot on target in their only home match, and Cardiff will have to play well to find Nathan Bishop’s net. They have the quality to threaten, but it is unlikely to be a match littered with goals.

Anytime Goalscorer - Yousef Salech (CAR) @ 15/8

The Danish striker was off the mark against Rotherham and should be full of confidence for the season ahead.

Despite relegation, Salech emerged as Cardiff’s main man at the end of last season, scoring eight goals in 20 matches.

He should prove far too good for this level, and Cardiff’s best attacking work will involve him.

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