Cardiff will look to get themselves back on track on Sunday afternoon. They host a rejuvenated Nottingham Forest side in front of the Sky Sports Cameras. The visitors are looking for five consecutive wins in all competitions.
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Bookmaker Ratings prediction one: Full Time Result – Nottingham Forest to Win – 2.75
Bookmaker Ratings prediction two: Total Goals – Under 2.5 Goals – 1.72
Away from home or not, this is a big opportunity for the visitors to continue knocking on that top-six door. They arrive here with their tails up and have the advantage of going up against a wounded animal. The hosts inability to score regular goals at home is a problem, especially when they’re facing a Forest side that can keep teams quiet. With a very respectable average of 1.69 points per game on the road against a home side with an appalling average of 0.58 points per game, Forest are a good bet at slightly generous odds.
The hosts have real problems scoring goals at home, we know that, while Forest are very good at keeping teams at bay on their travels. Add in that less than three goals have been scored in only 58% of the league matches played at Cardiff City Stadium and ‘Under 2.5 Goals’ starts to appeal, especially when less than three goals have been scored in 62% of Forest’s travelling fixtures.
Cardiff’s rather underwhelming campaign continued last time out, as they were beaten on the road at Bristol City, despite scoring not once but twice. That defeat came after a disappointing home effort against Blackburn. It’s now six Championship games without a win for the Bluebirds, who now find themselves down in an unflattering 20th position, just two points above the relegation zone.
Poor form at home has been the driving force behind Cardiff’s demise this season. Steve Morison’s men have won only two out of 12 in front of their own fans, losing nine of the other ten. Therein lies the problem. And the reason behind such bad form at home? A lack of attacking gusto. Sunday’s hosts have scored just nine goals on their own patch this season, giving them a meagre average of 0.75. Only Barnsley, who currently prop up the rest of the division, average fewer goals at home.
In contrast, Nottingham Forest find themselves flying high after a string of pleasing results. The visitors are up to eighth, just two points shy of the play-offs. They’ve won four on the spin in all competitions, including their last three in the Championship, in which they’ve scored six and conceded just one. That sort of form is very hard to pick holes in.
Forest are also among the best travellers in the division having picked up 22 points away from the comforts of home. Only three teams, all of which are currently in the top four have collected more away-day points this season.
Those searching for a ‘safer’ option can take ‘Nottingham Forest Draw No Bet’. The visitors have only lost one of their last ten away games in the league, while they’re yet to lose on the road against a team outside of the top half.
Isaac Vassell is expected to be out for the hosts, while there are still doubts over the fitness of Sam Bowen, who has been out for some time. Nottingham Forest newboy Rodrigo Ely is unlikely to feature.
Cardiff: Smithies, McGuinness, Flint, Nelson, Drameh, Doyle, Pack, Ralls, Ng, Harris, Collins.
Nottingham Forest: Samba, Spence, Cook, McKenna, Colback, Yates, Garner, Johnson, Zinckernagel, Grabban, Davis.
Brennan Johnson
There have been numerous standout performers for the in-form visitors of late, but one player to watch closely is 20-year-old Brennan Johnson, who has caught plenty of eyes this season. The Welshman has been a key part of the Forest attack, scoring seven goals and providing five assists.
Earlier in the season, Cardiff won by two goals to one at the City Ground.
This fixture will take place at Cardiff City Stadium.
We recommend checking out both William Hill and Vbet ahead of this fixture.