Cardiff vs Leicester Prediction: Foxes fancied in free-scoring contest

Leicester City are taking no prisoners in their bid to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking and the Championship pace-setters will be hoping to build on their six-point buffer away at Cardiff City on Friday evening.

The Bluebirds, meanwhile, find themselves in mid-table in the Championship after Boxing Day’s 2-2 draw at home to managerless Plymouth and they have won only once in four league outings.

Team news

Cardiff remain without influential midfielder Aaron Ramsey and Irish forward Callum O’Dowda, but otherwise manager Erol Bulut has a fully-fit squad to choose from.

Leicester on the other hand must manage without veterans Marc Albrighton and Jamie Vardy, as well as up-and-coming talent Kasey McAteer.

Leicester to win & both teams to score @ 5/2  

Having lost the shot count 19 to five, Leicester may count themselves fortunate to have escaped with a 1-1 draw from Boxing Day’s crunch clash with title rivals Ipswich.

That result kept them six points ahead of the Tractor Boys at the summit but, having won 19 of their 24 league games, they should be too strong for Cardiff.

The Bluebirds are 25 points below Leicester in the Championship standings and they have won only three of their last ten league games, so this looks a tough ask for them.

Cardiff have won only one of their last five at home, suffering defeats against Norwich, West Brom and Birmingham.

So expect the Foxes to stamp their authority and punters can get some extra bang for their buck by backing Cardiff to notch a consolation goal.

For all their success, Leicester have kept only three clean sheets in their last 11 league games, with both teams scoring in nine of their 12 away assignments.

Stephy Mavididi to score at any time @ 7/4 

A big part of Leicester’s success this season has been tricky winger Stephy Mavididi, who has made an effortless transition since arriving from Ligue 1 side Montpellier in the summer.

Mavididi, who signed on a five-year deal at the King Power Stadium, is Leicester’s leading scorer in all competitions this season with eight goals in 25 appearances.

The 25-year-old has scored five goals in as many league starts, which includes opening the scoring away at Ipswich last time out.

He is 5/1 to open the scoring, but the 7/4 about him getting on the scoresheet at any time could be the way for bettors to go.

Match odds

Leicester, who are unbeaten in eight having won six of those matches, are 3/5 to maintain their dominance with victory at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Cardiff are 4/1 to spring a surprise and utilise home advantage while a draw is available at 13/5.

Both teams to score is a 5/6 chance, while it is the same price for the contest to feature over 2.5 goals. A Leicester win to nil is 8/5, while it is 5/2 that the Foxes win with both teams scoring.

Football betting tips, from Betfred Insights.