Cardiff v Blackpool Preview

Posted on | February 4, 2012 | No Comments

Expectations for both of these clubs were quite similar at the start of the season, with Cardiff aiming to go one step further than their play off semi-final heartbreak from the last campaign, while Blackpool were looking to bounce straight back to the top flight following relegation. It is unusual for pundits to achieve complete accuracy in these pre-season predictions, yet that appears to be the case here with Cardiff currently sat in 3rd position while Blackpool occupy 7th.

There were quite a few worried Cardiff supporters at the start of the campaign, with many unsure of the new direction their club appeared to be going. Having offloaded many of the big stars during the summer, new manager Malky Mackay was charged with the task of pushing for the top six on a much smaller budget. As it turns out, he is succeeding fantastically, with the Bluebirds within touching distance of the automatic positions as just one point keeps them from 2nd place. In fact, should results go their way this weekend, they could actually lead the division. Judging by recent form, you would be a fool to bet against Mackay’s men as well. The Welsh outfit have lost just one of their last sixteen league encounters, while they approach this fixture full of confidence after managing to grab a point against 2nd place Southampton during the week.

It would be fair to say that Blackpool started the season slowly, but in recent weeks the Seasiders have been making more of a claim for the top six than ever before. Ian Holloway’s men currently sit just one point away from the playoff places, meaning that a victory on Saturday could even take them all the way up to 4th. Just like their opponents, Blackpool have put together some very good form over recent weeks and approach this encounter having lost just one of their last nine in the league. More impressively, the Bloomfield Road outfit have won three of their last four, although some supporters may be slightly concerned ahead of this game with the club winning just one of their last six away from home.

There is just one piece of team news to report for the home side, with Malky Mackay hopeful of including Mark Hudson after he missed recent fixtures with a calf problem. The visitors on the other hand will continue to be without Keith Southern as he struggles with a gashed ankle, while suspension means that Ian Evatt will not feature in this one.

This is definitely one of the more difficult fixtures to predict, with both of these clubs in very good form. However, with Blackpool struggling somewhat with their results away from home, our tip is going to be for a narrow Cardiff victory – 2-1.

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