Barnsley v Cardiff
Cardiff are still chasing promotion and occupy the final play-off spot whilst Barnsley have slipped down the table and are still not safe from relegation so the pressure is on for both at Oakwell tomorrow.
Keith Hill has been critical of his side in recent weeks and it is understandable as his side have won just once in 11 games and as a result, they currently sit in 19th position and although they have an eight point cushion over the sides in the relegation zone, they are still not mathematically safe. Hill will be hoping to put that right tomorrow with a win which would secure their Championship status. Overall their home form is pretty decent as they have won nine at their stadium which is decent going for a side in the bottom half of the division. With that being the case, it’s no surprise that their away form has been poor with just four wins on their travels. It’s an area they will need to improve on next season if they wish to progress rather than just survive – which is why Keith Hill was brought in. They do, also, struggle against the better sides in the division with seven of their home wins coming against sides rank mid-table or below.
Cardiff stuttered slightly after losing to Liverpool on penalties in the League Cup final but they have returned to a better run of form just in time as they look to cement their play-off position with four more games to play. Currently unbeaten in six games, Cardiff have drawn five of those with their sole victory coming on the road against Middlesbrough. Their current form shows that although they may not be scoring as freely as they were earlier on in the season, they are still very hard to beat and do not give up points, or goals, lightly. Their match on Easter Monday saw them draw 1-1 at home to Watford and whilst they weren’t at their best, they still managed to grab a vital point and it was also a return to scoring ways for Kenny Miller who notched his first goal in over a dozen games. The Bluebirds have been consistent for much of the season, which is why they are placed where they are, and their away form is one of the strongest in the league – losing just four games in the Championship all season.
Barnsley know a win will secure their status but a draw, depending on other results, may also be good enough. Between now and the end of the season they will be up against sides who all have something to play meaning they need to regain some sort of form otherwise they may well sink further down the table.
Cardiff have back to back league games after their visit to Oakwell tomorrow but a win would go some way to consolidating a play-off position. Their remaining fixtures are also against sides who have little to play for but that counts for little in a league so competitive as the Championship.
Even if Barnsley lose tomorrow, it would still be a shock if they were to be relegated as the teams below them have little in the way of winning form. Their own recent run is so uninspiring that Cardiff should be targeting this for all three points and at the prices, I think it’s a risk worth taking – away win.
My Selection: Cardiff to beat Barnsley
Best odds available: EVENS available with PaddyPower
