Brighton vs Cardiff City
EFL Championship
Date: Friday, 30th December, 2016
Kick-off: 19:45 UK
Venue: Falmer Stadium, Brighton.
Brighton are missing left-back Seb Pocognoli for Cardiff's visit to the south coast.
Pocognoli, who is on loan from West Brom, continues to be ruled out with the unspecified injury that prevented him from playing in the 3-0 victory over QPR.
The fixture has come too early for Beram Kayal as he recovers from ankle surgery, but the home clash with MK Dons on January 7 has been pencilled in for his comeback.
Liam Rosenior continues to be sidelined by an ankle problem.
Cardiff defender Lee Peltier has been ruled out with a thigh problem.
Peltier was forced off during the 2-2 draw at Brentford on Boxing Day and Jazz Richards is a contender to replace him at right-back.
Richards has not played since Bluebirds boss Neil Warnock was appointed manager at the start of October because of a long-standing foot injury.
Anthony Pilkington could also return after being rested at Brentford.
Brighton vs Cardiff City: Head-to-head stats
The first meeting between the two sides this season was a goal-less
draw at the Cardiff City stadium. This extended Cardiff’s unbeaten run
against Brighton to 5 games. But they have won only once, with 4 matches
during the period being stalemates.
The win that came at the end of last season at Cardiff is their only
win against Brighton in 11 games in all competitions. Again, 8 matches
during the period are draws, with Brighton winning 2 matches.
Also the last 4 home matches of Brighton against Cardiff are draws.
Moreover, Brighton are looking for their first home win against Cardiff
in 6 matches.
Brighton vs Cardiff City: Prediction
Brighton are the most consistent side in the Championship at the
moment. However, they need to break the jinx against Cardiff. We have
already seen a goal-less draw when the teams met a few weeks earlier.
The bookies have priced a Brighton win at 1.60 odds, and we believe it
is a risk worth taking.
At the same time, brave punters can back a scored draw for this
match, which is priced at the odds of 4.50. As far as I am concerned, I
will go with a correct score prediction of 1-1 for this match.
Brighton vs Cardiff City: Bet Tips
Both Teams to Score and Draw at 9/2 (4.50).
