Cardiff vs Sunderland Prediction: Bluebirds can choke Black Cats

Cardiff City and Sunderland both find themselves marooned in mid-table as we approach the final eight games of the Championship season. Both seem to have fallen short of the play-offs, but they have steered clear of relegation danger, something that could lead to an entertaining encounter in the Welsh capital. . 

The pair meet at 15:00 on Good Friday, with the Bluebirds still reeling from their defeat in the south Wales derby two weeks ago. Below you can find my Cardiff vs Sunderland prediction, including a couple of betting selections for you to consider ahead of kick-off. 

Team News

Jak Alnwick has missed the last eight Cardiff matches, Mark McGuinness is likely to miss this one and Kion Etete picked up a problem before the international break and is a doubt. Callum Robinson is also still out for the hosts.

For Sunderland, Patrick Roberts remains out with a hamstring issue and Jenson Seelt is out for the season, but Jack Clarke is on his way back from his ankle ligament injury. Nazariy Rusyn is a doubt having picked up a problem against QPR and Elliot Embleton is still not ready to return from his minor ankle issue. 

Match Odds

The home side are 8/5 to win this match, with Sunderland also priced at 8/5. That’s testament to how close this encounter is, with a draw backable at 2/1. Elsewhere, BTTS is 5/6 and over 2.5 goals is 6/5.

Cardiff to win @ 8/5

Cardiff have improved of late and went on an excellent run before that painful defeat to Swansea. Erol Bulut’s men had won four on the bounce before that 2-0 loss, and will want to bounce back to winning ways on home soil.

They are certainly a competitive mid-table outfit, whereas it feels as though Sunderland have lost their way this term. The managerial situation hasn’t helped things, and Mick Beale’s hiring was clearly a mistake they are struggling to correct. Now Mike Dodds is in charge until the end of the season, and results are not improving. 

The Black Cats haven’t won in their last seven outings, and failed to beat QPR at home before the international break. That point ended a run of five defeats on the bounce and they’ve completely fallen away from the top six. I expect more Sunderland misery here. Just. 

Under 2.5 goals @ 8/13

These are two goal-shy sides, and two teams who have nothing to play for at the minute. Cardiff’s last six games have yielded just ten goals, and the Bluebirds have only scored six across that same time period. 

Meanwhile, Sunderland lost 4-2 to high-flying Southampton, but three of their last four games have finished either 1-0 or 0-0. They aren’t in good form at the minute and are clearly missing the influential Clarke. I’m expecting this one to be a pretty dismal affair in truth. 

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