Wrexham vs Cardiff Prediction: Welsh derby should bring goals

Is this a derby? Geographically no, given the 138 miles between them, but historically yes. Wrexham is the oldest club in Wales while Cardiff City are the only Welsh side to have won the FA Cup, which makes their meeting tonight an intriguing one (20:00, ITV 1). 

It’s north vs south and there’s a place in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup at stake. Read on for my Wrexham vs Cardiff predictions featuring team news and more.

Team News

Phil Parkinson is likely to name an incredibly strong XI, despite the fact that the Welsh side host Coventry City in the Championship on Friday night. Unfortunately, he’s also got a decent amount of injuries which limits his ability to rotate. 

Danny Ward, Ben Sheaf, Oli Rathbone, Jay Rodriguez, Elliot Lee and Andy Cannon are all out, while Lewis Brunt was taken off with a thigh injury against Boro. Callum Doyle is suspended after his red card so Dom Hyam and Max Cleworth should start in the back three along with Dan Scarr.

Lewis O’Brien will be hoping to get back into the team while Nathan Broadhead could be brought into the attack as he competes with Josh Windass, Ryan Hardie and Kieffer Moore up top.

Football Odds

Cardiff goalkeeper Jak Alnwick remains sidelined along with winger Ollie Tanner, while Chris Willock is also out with a quad injury. Alex Robertson is back in contention having made his first appearance of the season in Saturday's 1-0 loss to Bolton Wanderers.

Brian Barry-Murphy is also likely to field a strong XI with such a big prize on the line, with Yousef Salech set to lead the line again. Rubin Colwill will feature behind the big striker with Callum Robinson also pushing for a starting spot.

Today's Football Fixtures

Wrexham vs Cardiff Odds

Wrexham are priced at 13/10 to win this game, giving them an implied win probability of 43%. Cardiff are 11/5 to win in 90 minutes while a draw is 23/10 - that would force penalties after 90 minutes. 

Over 2.5 goals is 10/11, BTTS is 8/11 while Hardie and Moore at both 5/1 to open the scoring. Betfred also have plenty of Price Boosts and Bet Builders on site, which you can find on the link above. 

BTTS @ 8/11 

One thing I’m hoping for tonight is goals. Wrexham have a wonderful attack and a shaky defence, especially when we take into account the defensive absentees. Both teams have scored in nine of their 12 Championship matches (75%) so far, while four of their last six games have finished 1-1. 

Although Cardiff have only seen both teams score in five of their League 1 games, they have scored 21 goals in 13 games and should be able to capitalise on this weak Wrexham back line. With a cracking atmosphere expected, I think both teams should find the net. 

Scorecast - Kieffer Moore to score first, Wrexham to win 2-1 @ 40/1

I think the Championship side should be able to find the win given the strength of their attack. Moore will lead the line again having scored four goals in 12 in the Championship, and his aerial presence is obvious, so that should cause Cardiff some issues at the back. 

Wrexham like to get crosses into the box and Moore may be able to find the net early on. Given I also believe that both teams will find the net, I like the look of a 40/1 Scorecast on Moore to open the scoring and Wrexham to edge a 2-1 win. 

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