Rotherham vs Cardiff prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-03-17 15:00.
Manager Matt Taylor admits he’s expecting Rotherham’s relegation battle to go “down to the wire” as they look to avoid an immediate return to League One. The Millers are just five points above the bottom three after back-to-back defeats, the most recent of which was a 2-1 loss against Preston on Tuesday, a performance described by the boss as “flat.”
That was a rare recent home loss for the Yorkshire outfit though, who had won three of their previous six outings at the New York Stadium (D2, L1). However, it once again proved just how crucial the opening goal is for Rotherham, who have rescued only one point from the 14 league games in which they have conceded first this season.
If it comes as any consolation to the hosts, visitors Cardiff – who sit just one point and one place below Rotherham – don’t have much bouncebackability either, with their 1-1 draw against West Brom on Wednesday just the second time they have come from behind this season. Incredibly, the Bluebirds have lost 16 of the 18 league games in which they have conceded first (D2), although that is hardly surprising considering their total of 28 strikes is the lowest in the division.
Cardiff have had a particular problem in scoring on the road, failing to do so in six of their last seven away league games (W1, D1, L5), leaving Sabri Lamouchi’s side battling for survival too. The manager is urging his players not to hide from that relegation battle, and a win in this fixture would be a big help in securing Championship football for next season, as they would leapfrog Rotherham in the table.
Key battle: Rotherham striker Jordan Hugill will be looking to improve his goalscoring record against former club Cardiff, having only netted once in 12 previous attempts (W7, D1, L4). Trying to stop him should be Bluebirds defender Cédric Kipré, who has never lost a league game to the Millers, keeping two clean sheets in the process (W2, D1).
Hot stat: Rotherham have netted 17 first-half goals at home this season, the joint highest total in the Championship.