Blackpool v Cardiff: Bluebirds set for away day joy

 

The Bluebirds can take advantage of the managerial turmoil surrounding Blackpool and pick up three more points, says Andy Tongue...

 

Blackpool v Cardiff

Saturday 19th January 17.20 GMT

Live on Sky Sports One

 

 

Blackpool

 

The Seasiders find themselves in turmoil after Michael Appleton walked out on them for Lancashire rivals Blackburn, having been appointed less than three months previously. MK Dons manager Karl Robinson is reportedly their main target to replace him but an initial approach has been rebuffed by the League One outfit.

 

Not surprisingly they were fairly comfortably beaten at Charlton last Saturday and caretaker boss Steve Thompson will need to rally his troops ahead of the league leaders' visit. They are now six games without a win, since victory over Blackburn co-incidentally, and looking slightly rudderless. With the prospect of a push for the play-offs receding fast, there is a real chance their season could peter out very tamely.

 

 

Cardiff

 

Their last two away games in the Championship have seen hard-fought 1-0 wins at Birmingham and Leicester, the sort of performances, which mark out a promotion-winning side, and a convincing 4-1 victory at Blackburn prior to that. Their last defeat on the road was the inexplicable 5-4 loss at Charlton back in early November, which suggests that Malky MacKay has solved the travel sickness they suffering from earlier in the season.

 

Solid at the back and with a number of different attacking threats they look comfortably the strongest all-round side in the Championship. A well organised Ipswich were the first side to prevent them scoring this season last Saturday but with an open game likely there should be ample opportunities at Bloomfield Road for the league leaders on the counter-attack.

 

 

Match Odds

 

It is something of a pleasant surprise to be able to back the Bluebirds at 2.84 when you consider that they are eight points clear at the top and barring a major choke between now and May there is no reason to suspect they won't be playing in the Premier League next year. Their season has been built around making the Cardiff Stadium into a fortress but they've still won away from home six times, including those latest three consecutive wins so we are confident enough they can make it four on the spin against a side, who, it has to be noted, played 120 minutes in the FA Cup in midweek.

 

 

Over/Under 3.5 goals

 

Having ground out those wins at Birmingham and Leicester, Cardiff could cut loose if they go ahead here. Confidence is understandably flagging among the home side and after the disappointment of losing that cup replay against Fulham in extra-time they could fade badly in the second-half making over 3.5 goals an attractive bet at 3.1.

 

 

Recommended Bets

Best Bet: Back Cardiff to win at 2.84

Back over 3.5 goals at 3.5

 

Bet HERE

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