Cardiff vs Sunderland predictions: Bluebirds to take down struggling Black Cats
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- Cardiff have won their last three home matches
- Sunderland have collected just one point from the last 21 on offer
- Recommended bet: Cardiff to win
Cardiff will be looking to close the gap to the play-off positions when they take on a Sunderland side that appear destined for another season in the Championship.
The Bluebirds have picked up 12 points from the last 15 available to lift themselves to 11th position in the standings, eight points adrift of sixth-placed Norwich.
As for Sunderland, a seven-match winless run in which they have suffered six defeats has seen them slip to 12th place, 13 points off the play-offs, and their promotion hopes look over.
Team news
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Cardiff are expected to be without the injured trio of Jak Alnwick, Kion Etete and Mark McGuinness.
Sunderland's absentee list is a lengthy one, with the likes of Patrick Roberts, Jack Clarke, Aji Alese, Dennis Cirkin, Jenson Seelt, Corry Evans and Niall Huggins all unavailable.
Nazariy Rusyn is a doubt due to a knock and will be assessed closer to the time.
The stats
Cardiff have chalked up four victories in a row before losing 2-0 at Swansea prior to the international break.
The Bluebirds are on a four-game unbeaten streak at home, drawing 0-0 with Blackburn before beating Stoke, Huddersfield and Ipswich.
Sunderland have gone seven matches without success and have collected just one point since Michael Beale was sacked, that draw coming against struggling QPR last time out.
The Black Cats have picked up just one win from their last 14 away assignments, while their tally of 17 points on the road this season is bettered only by Rotherham (four), Birmingham (12), Plymouth (13) and Sheffield Wednesday (13).
Prediction
Sunderland have been in disarray over the last month and the decision to sack Beale in mid-February has failed to prove dividends, with interim boss Mike Dodds failing to get a spark out of an injury-hit squad that is severely lacking in confidence.
The Black Cats have failed to score in three of Dodds' five games at the helm and the absence of top scorer Clarke, who has netted 15 times, has had a massive impact on the team's results.
Sunderland are there for the taking on Good Friday and Cardiff will be confident they can take full advantage of the situation on home soil, where they have collected 30 points from 19 outings.
Erol Bulut's side are putting together a late charge for the play-offs and they can boost their hopes at the expense of the Black Cats, who could still get dragged into a relegation battle if they fail to pick up some results soon.
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