Cardiff vs Southampton predictions: Saints to march on in south Wales
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- Southampton have won their last three matches
- Cardiff have lost four of their last six fixtures
- Recommended bet: Southampton and over 2.5 goals
The Championship promotion battle is fascinatingly poised with four teams in with a shout of a top-two finish, including fourth-placed Southampton, who will be going all out for a victory against Cardiff in the Welsh capital.
By the end of the Easter fixtures Saints were 12 points outside of the top two and seemingly destined for the play-offs, but three straight victories have got them back into contention.
Russell Martin’s side will need to stay on the winning trail, but they are unlikely to fear their clash with the Bluebirds, who are no longer in play-off contention after last Saturday’s 3-1 reverse at Millwall.
Cardiff’s loss in the capital leaves them 12 points adrift of the top six with only three games remaining.
Team news
Cardiff's options are depleted by the absences of Josh Wilson-Esbrand, Mark McGuinness, Callum O'Dowda (all hamstring), Kion Etete and Jak Alnwick (both leg).
But Bluebirds boss Erol Bulut is likely to be contemplating a few changes after last Saturday’s disappointing defeat at Millwall.
Southampton will be without Ross Stewart (muscle strain) and Juan Larios (hamstring).
First-choice goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu has sustained an Achilles injury and will miss out for the rest of the season.
The stats
Cardiff have lost four of their last six fixtures and all of the Bluebirds’ last 12 losses have been by a margin of at least two goals.
City have conceded the first goal in each of their last three home matches.
Southampton have won their last three Championship fixtures and have scored two goals or more in six of their last eight fixtures.
Nine of Southampton’s last 11 matches have generated at least three goals.
Prediction
Southampton are the only Championship team approaching the weekend on a three-game winning streak and their purple patch can continue with a victory at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Automatic promotion remains a realistic possibility for the south coast side, who are just five points behind leaders Ipswich having played one game less.
Saints coasted to a 3-0 victory at home to Preston on Tuesday, winning the shot count 23 to one and they should have too much intensity and quality for Cardiff, who have failed to sustain a meaningful playoff push.
Cardiff’s faint promotion hopes ended with a 3-1 loss at Millwall last Saturday and there is unlikely to be much of a response this weekend.
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