Cardiff vs QPR prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-08-11 14:00.
Amidst the backdrop of pundits and publications across the land damning Cardiff as potential relegation fodder this season, Erol Bulut managed a surprising and credible draw against one of the title favourites, Leeds, in his first game in charge. Granted, his side surrendered a two-goal lead deep into stoppage time, yet the Turkish boss admitted the draw was “a fair result for us”.
Late goals will undoubtedly be a recurring theme this season, with the new rules imposed by referees seeing all but two games in the opening round go beyond 100 minutes. One man who had to watch the late equaliser from the bench was the much-hyped Aaron Ramsey, who failed to make an impact on his second debut for the club. He’ll hope for a better showing in his home league debut as Cardiff look to end their disparaging five-game Championship winless run here (D2, L3).
Another side touted for relegation is Gareth Ainsworth’s Queens Park Rangers, a team who lived up to their pre-season billing last weekend as they were trounced 4-0 by Watford, with all four goals coming before the interval. The club has been restricted to free transfers due to their calamitous financial situation off the pitch, so it’s difficult to see a way out of trouble in the short term for the R’s.
A possible source for inspiration could come from the fact that two of Ainsworth’s paltry three wins (W3, D2, L9) since taking the QPR helm have come across their last three away games. That’s not to mention the fact QPR are enjoying a run of three straight clean sheets in away H2H action (W2, D1), which is actually their longest-ever run without conceding away to Cardiff since this fixture was first played back in 1931!
Key battle: Cardiff’s Canadian loanee, Iké Ugbo, announced himself to the fans with a goal and an assist on his debut, yet each of his last four scoring appearances at club level ended in stalemates. He’ll be trying to get the better of experienced keeper Asmir Begović, who made an incredible nine saves on his debut which was at least four more than any other stopper on the opening day!
Hot stat: QPR have only lost both of their first two away games in a Championship season once since the tournament’s rebrand in 2004.