Cardiff vs Blackburn prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2024-02-19 19:45.
Cardiff boss Erol Bulut was beside himself as his side slipped to a third consecutive defeat with a 4-1 humbling by Norwich over the weekend, stating he has “never lost so many games in a row.” That isn’t strictly true as he lost four in succession as the Alanyaspor manager, a career-worst run that could be equalled here if they match their 1-0 defeat against Blackburn from October’s reverse.
Things are even worse when isolating only home form, as Cardiff have picked up just one of the last 15 available points here (D1, L4), whilst they are at risk of losing four straight home league games for the first time since a run of six in 2021. What makes the current losing run here particularly painful is the fact that the home faithful have had to endure over 310 minutes of home play without seeing their side score!
It has been a tough start to life as Blackburn boss for John Eustace, who is yet to win since officially taking charge of the first team (D1, L1). Ending last week 14 points from the top-six and just five above the bottom-three, climbing higher amongst the gaggle of sides in mid-table must be the immediate goal, and notching a first league double since 2021/22 would be a grand start.
Taking to the road hasn’t proved fruitful for Blackburn of late, given they have avoided defeat in just one of their last seven league trips (D1, L6). They’ve also lost three of their four away league games played in midweek this season, including the last two without even scoring a goal, but the visitors will hope that changes here, as they’ve avoided defeat in three of their last four visits to Cardiff (W2, D1, L1).
Players to watch: Karlan Grant is the only Cardiff player to score for the club (G1) across their last five home league games, but another goal here may not necessarily bring success as he’s lost a joint-career high five games against Rovers. Blackburn’s Sammie Szmodics strengthened his claim in the Championship top-scorer race (G18) with his goal last time out, though he was on the winning side in just one of his last five scoring league appearances (W1, D2, L2).
Hot stat: Only Rotherham (three) have kept fewer clean sheets than Blackburn’s four in league action this season.