Neil Wanock’s Cardiff City welcome Sheffield Wednesday to the Cardiff City Stadium on Friday night to kick-off the weekend’s Championship action.
Warnock has 10 attackers in his squad, yes 10, to combat a paltry return of 34 goals, an average of 0.89 goals per game, last season in the Premier League.
His squad is rammed with potential goal scorers to try and get back to the top tier and the Bluebirds are now averaging 1.45 goals per game and have chalked up 13 points from a possible 15 at home this season. Garry Monk’s Owls are in fairly robust form too. They’ve only lost one of their last five games in the Championship and have taken 10 points from a possible 15.
Something may have to give under the Friday night lights.
Both Teams to Score
Cardiff are in very good goal-scoring form at home scoring nine and conceding just three, with both teams to score landing in three of the five matches. Danny Ward and new signing Robert Glatzel have been the main threat for the Bluebirds, scoring five goals between them – though both have yet to score at home.
They’ll be eager to break their ducks on Friday night.
Wednesday too have been in good goal-scoring form, scoring seven in their last four away games and conceding four. Scottish striker Steven Fletcher has been their main threat in front of goal, netting five goals in 10 games, three of them away from Hillsborough.
In the five most recent league meetings between the sides at the Cardiff City Stadium – both sides have scored on four of the five ocassions.
Verdict: Both teams to Score @ 8/11
The last three head-to-head matches against the Owls at the Cardiff City Stadium have all ended in score draws.
On paper there’s very little between both sides. Both have scored 16 goals so far this term and have also lost just one of their last five league fixtures. It’s incredibly close to call and while Cardiff are certainly strong at home, the Owl’s record there shows they can go toe-to-toe with the Bluebirds.
Verdict: Draw @ 11/5.
Scotland’s Steven Fletcher has been top dog for Wednesday, scoring five in 10 appearances, with three of those coming on the road. The Owls’ attack will be boosted thanks to the return of striker Fernando Forestieri who has now served his suspension for using racist language in a pre-season friendly.
Both Danny Ward and Robert Glatzel would also be good shouts here to hit the onion sack for Cardiff, but we’re going with Fletcher, as he’s Wednesday’s main attacking threat.
Should the Owls get on the score-sheet, it’s very likely going to be the Scot who’ll get it.
Verdict: Steven Fletcher to Score Anytime @ 9/5
*Prices correct at time of publication
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