Cardiff City welcome Sunderland to the Welsh capital to kick off Saturday’s Championship action.
Chris Coleman managed at the Cardiff City Stadium 29 times as Wales boss, and returns there for the first time as manager of the relegation-threatened Black Cats.
Their hosts’ promotion ambitions took a hit with four consecutive league defeats, all coming against teams outside the top eight, but the Bluebirds still sit in third place and just two points off Bristol City in second.
Match odds
Cardiff are 8/11 (1.73) favourites with PaddyPower to return to winning ways with a ninth home triumph of the campaign in their 14th game on familiar soil.
Sunderland, though, have won four of their last seven meetings between these sides, including a league double in their 2004/05 promotion campaign, and are 4/1 (5.0) to claim three points - which would lift Coleman’s men out of the drop zone, at least until their relegation rivals kick off later that afternoon.
Getty ImagesThe Wearsiders have drawn 10 league games – no side in the entire EFL have tied more often – and are 5/2 (3.50) for another share of the spoils.
Team News
Cardiff’s losing streak coincided directly with the absence of Sean Morrison, so Neil Warnock will be glad to welcome the centre-back back to league action after he played 75 minutes in the 0-0 FA Cup draw with Mansfield Town.
Sunderland have only conceded 10 league goals in nine under Coleman’s tutelage and their three-man defence is strengthened further by the loan addition of Chelsea youngster Jake Clarke-Salter, who is looking to take his glittering achievements in youth football into the professional game.
Bamba and Maja to threaten?
Cardiff’s last 10 goals have been scored by nine different players, so speculative punts may represent the best value in the anytime goalscorer market; Sol Bamba is 10/1 (11.0) to grab his fourth of the season.
19-year-old Josh Maja is tipped to lead the visiting attack and can be found at 66/1 (67.0) to bag in a 1-0 win – Sunderland’s last two victories have been by that scoreline.
Cagey start
Five of Sunderland’s last eight games have been goalless at the break, as have four of Cardiff’s last five, so under 0.5 first half goals at 17/10 (2.70)is tempting.
There are signs that the north-east visitors thrive in adversity on the road, though, and they can be found to win through Draw No Bet at 5/2 (3.50) and with this option, the stake will be returned if the match ends all square.
Tips and predictions
Backing victory for the league’s bottom side without any form of insurance would be a risky business, yet the Bluebirds are in too poor form for us to side with them as favourites.
Our best bet, therefore, is the 2/1 (3.0) on there being under 1.5 goals, as it is unlikely the two sides will play with too much confidence; indeed, Cardiff have only scored three in their last four while Sunderland have grabbed just two in the same timeframe and are likely to defend deep.
Under 1.5 goals 2/1 (3.0) for a 2pt stake with Paddy Power