Cardiff vs Blackburn Prediction: Bluebirds bound to be beaten again

John Eustace’s start to life at Championship strugglers Blackburn has been difficult, beginning with a loss to his former employers Birmingham before his side threw away a 2-0 lead to eventually draw 2-2 with Preston on Saturday.  

However, the signs of improvement are there and Eustace, who was doing an excellent job at St Andrews prior to his shock sacking, is sure to get his first win as Rovers’ boss sooner rather than later.  

He has a great opportunity to get three points on Tuesday night, facing Erol Bulut’s Cardiff who are woefully out of form having lost six of their last seven games, and an away win could be on the cards at the Cardiff City Stadium.  

Team News

Mark McGuinness and Callum O’Dowda remain out for Cardiff while Aaron Ramsey is a doubt. Despite no new injury concerns, Erol Bulut could ring the changes following his side’s disappointing collapse against Norwich, so expect the likes of Ryan Wintle and Kion Etete to return to the starting XI.  

Blackburn are without injured defensive duo Harry Pickering and Hayden Carter while John Fleck is a doubt after being forced off against Preston, with Jake Garrett likely to replace him in the starting lineup.  

Match Odds 

With both sides struggling for their best form at current it is unsurprising to see little variation in the market, with Cardiff 8/5, Blackburn 7/4 and the draw 23/10.  

Over 2.5 goals is definitely a possibility, especially given Cardiff’s defensive struggles, and can be backed at 5/6 while both teams finding the net has been chalked up at slightly shorter odds of 4/6. 

Championship top scorer Sammie Szmodics is unsurprisingly favourite to open the scoring at 11/2 or if you fancy the Bluebirds to strike first then four-goal man Karlan Grant could be the play at 7/1. 

Blackburn to win @ 7/4

Cardiff’s run of seven losses has included defeats to Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth and Bulut must stop the rot soon before their slip down the table becomes dangerous - they have an eight-point cushion on the relegation zone for now but that could soon close up.  

However, a visit from Blackburn, who have won the last three meetings and have lost only one of the last 11 clashes between the pair, would not have been too high on Bulut’s wishlist.  

Rovers have already beaten Cardiff twice this term, winning the reverse fixture and also beating Bulut’s men 5-2 in the League Cup, and they were very good defensively for large periods against Preston on Saturday, before eventually settling for a point.  

That defensive sturdiness - something we saw Eustace implement to great effect at Birmingham - could be the difference in this tie as the hosts have drawn a blank in their last three home matches and also failed to score in the reverse fixture at Ewood Park.  

Cardiff’s issues in front of goal could open the door for Blackburn to earn a first win of the Eustace era, and Rovers should oblige.  

Sammie Szmodics to score anytime @ 15/8

Sammie Szmodics has been sensational for Blackburn this season, netting 18 Championship goals this term to top the scoring charts in England’s second flight, despite playing in midfield for the majority of the season.  

He has performed well on his travels too, scoring six of Rovers’ last 12 away goals, and could be set to play a big part against the faltering Bluebirds.  

Cardiff have conceded eight in their last three matches and 18 in their last seven, including four to a poor Sheffield Wednesday side, suggesting there may be plenty of space for Szmodics to exploit on Tuesday.  

The former Bristol City midfielder is an expert at finding spaces to get shots away, registering 36 efforts on goal with 17 testing the goalkeeper in his last 10 games combined, suggesting he could get on the scoresheet in Wales this week.