Cardiff v Burnley Preview

It looks as though these two sides have all but secured their play off places, which means that this fixture could be played again in about a month. Cardiff may feel as though they have an outside chance of an automatic finish considering their game in hand, but for Burnley it’s all about finishing strongly as they aim to reach the play offs as one of the form teams.

Cardiff’s season has been hugely successful and unlike previous seasons, they’ve managed to be pretty consistent all year and remain as one of the top few sides throughout. Recent form hasn’t been too shabby either with the Bluebirds collecting seven points out of their last three games. Those points have come after a disastrous 3-0 defeat at home to Sheffield United although having been reduced to nine men in the first half in dubious circumstances, it was hardly a true reflection. Convincing victories over Derby and Crystal Palace in their last two games now means that Dave Jones’ men are up to 4th and with   five games remaining, the optimists at Ninian Park will be hoping their side has what it takes up to make the six point gap from 2nd place Birmingham.

If Cardiff’s season has been successful, then Burnley’s has been stunning. The Clarets have spent a fraction of what their opponents have and having been a mid to lower half team for so many years, Owen Coyle’s first full season in charge at Turf Moor has been unbelievable. They’ve been up in the top six for much of the campaign and with seven points separating them from 7th place Swansea, it looks as though their season is certainly going to be extended. With Coyle’s men last losing a league game way back at the end of February, they are another side full of confidence and will be looking forward to the test against another play off side.

As for team news, Cardiff look set to be without influential duo Rodger Johnson and Michael Chopra who are both extremely doubtful through injuries. Johnson is still being monitored after a horror challenge by Claude Davis at the weekend, while Chopra was also substituted in that game and is penciled in for a late fitness test. It’s a quieter scenario for Owen Coyle who just has the one concern. Big striker, and former Bluebird for that matter, Stephen Thompson is definitely out with an ankle ligament problem but other than that Coyle has a clean bill of health.

Cardiff may have notched two straight wins, but we think Burnley are no pushovers and will provide a stern test in this one. Both know that their play off positions are all but secured and with that, we’ll go for the 1-1 draw.