Seagulls to pinch point in Championship fray with Cardiff
Published:
Holly Thackeray | February 19, 2016
Cardiff City v Brighton and Hove Albion
- Championship
- Saturday, February 20th
- Kick-off: 12:30 GMT
- Cardiff City, Stadium
- Live on Sky Sports 1
Bluebirds lacking bite
Cardiff City are a club with big expectations but, hanging five points adrift of the Championship play-off places, Russell Slade’s side need to start turning draws into victories. Upcoming visitors Brighton and Hove Albion, just three away from the summit, will certainly have other ideas, however, when they rock up to the Welsh capital.
The Bluebirds have battled their way to a joint-league highest 13 draws alongside Leeds United and Blackburn Rovers – two clubs who look rather unlikely to be in the running for promotion in the near future.
With that in mind, it is tempting to plump for another splitting of the spoils at 21/10, especially as five of these sides’ last six meetings have ended evenly. To boot, three of those fixtures were score draws, so customers can get evens for both teams to find the target again.
Cardiff’s 17/10 price for all three points, the same odds as away team Brighton, say it all about the Bluebirds’ ability to kill off games, having lost five league leads this season. So, why not back the hosts at 10/1 to have a half-time advantage but then still fail to win?
Seagulls circling
While, coastal club Brighton have been one of the Championship stories of the season, having stormed to a sterling start to put them in contention for automatic promotion places.
A stumble saw hopes fade, but now the Seagulls have swooped to five unbeaten results on the spin, including four victories and a draw with table-toppers Hull City.
Emphatically back in form, Albion will undoubtedly fancy their chances at 17/10 for victory, though only one of their previous three on the road has resulted in a win.
Hitman Hemed firing on all cylinders
Israel attacker Tomer Hemed has been bagging with abandon for Brighton of late, with two goals in his last three, and is 7/4 to strike anytime again. While, Anthony Knockaert (10/3) is also an attacking force for the visitors.
Should you fancy the home side to ripple the net, though, there are intriguing odds for winger Anthony Pilkington (7/1 to sink the opener) and Wales hopeful and former Manchester United man Tom Lawrence (15/8 to grab a goal anytime) to make the difference.
Speaking of Red Devils links, James Wilson could return to Seagulls striking duty after injury, and is 13/2 to fire in last if given the nod.
Related
Coral’s top tip: Back Brighton to split the spoils with Championship draw specialists Cardiff at 21/10.
