The English Championship is a long, hard season but the rewards for the teams who finish in the top two places are incredible. A place in the Premier League awaits and not only does that bring with it visits from teams like Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City but also a great deal of money. Mid-week fixtures in the Championship are the ones which can often make or break a season and with teams facing long trips between matches, they can have a huge impact on who wins promotion. This big game in the Championship on Tuesday sees third place Cardiff City host tenth place Ipswich Town.
The Championship – Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff – 31st October 19:45 UK Time
Cardiff CityBest Odd of: 3/5 at Ladbrokes |
Draw Best Odd of: 14/5 at Skybet |
Ipswich TownBest Odd of: 11/2 at Ladbrokes |
Cardiff City Form
Cardiff City start this match with 28 points from their 14 games played and they sit third in the Championship table, just 2 points off the leaders, Sheffield United. Having made a great start to the season, Cardiff City have stuttered lately, and form has been inconsistent. Since the 2-1 win over Queens Park Rangers, Cardiff City have won 3 of their 9 Championship matches. The wins have come at Sunderland, Middlesbrough and at home against Leeds United. On the weekend, Cardiff City were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Millwall and that was their second 0-0 draw at home in a row. However, Cardiff City remain undefeated at home in the Championship this season and have not been beaten in 13 of their last 14 home Championship matches.
Ipswich Form
Ipswich Town have won 21 points from 13 games in the Championship this season and a win from this match plus their game in hand on Cardiff City would see them move within 1 point of the Welsh club. Ipswich Town picked up their first win in 4 Championship games on the weekend as they defeated Burton Albion 2-1 away from home. Prior to that victory, Ipswich Town had lost 3 games in a row, two of which were at home to Bristol City and Norwich City. The other was a 1-0 defeat at current league leaders, Sheffield United. Away form has been inconsistent and Ipswich Town have won 3 and lost 3 of their 6 games. They have conceded goals in each of them and scored in all but one of those 6 matches.
Team News
Rhys Evitt-Healey and Kadeem Harris are long term injury concerns for Cardiff City and have been joined by goalkeeper, Lee Camp. Left-back Joe Bennett was forced off against Millwall and may struggle to make this game. Ipswich Town are still without the injured trio of Emyr Huws, Andre Dozzell and Luke Hyam. Teddy Bishop is also a fitness doubt but Bersant Celina could start following his goal on the weekend.
Top Betting Tips
Cardiff City have kept a clean sheet in their last 2 home games but will need to start attacking as they have also failed to score themselves. This could play into the visitor’s hands, who have had no problem scoring away from home. Both teams to score is Evens with Ladbrokes. Ipswich have found life tough on the road and have lost 4 of their last 5 away games in all competitions. This will also be their second away match in a week and could be too much of an ask for the Tractor Boys. You can back Cardiff City to win this game at 3/5 with Ladbrokes. Four of Cardiff City’s last 5 wins in the Championship have been by just a single goal. This match also has the makings of a tight game and Cardiff City are 5/2 with Ladbrokes to win by 1 goal.