Cardiff vs Stoke prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-04-21 14:00.
A possible goal of the season contender from Sory Kaba helped Cardiff on their way to a 3-1 win against Watford on Wednesday to boost their survival hopes. The Bluebirds have soared two points above the relegation zone as a result, but with their two games after the visit of Stoke City coming against teams battling alongside them to secure Championship status, it could be too early to celebrate even with a victory here.
At least their destiny remains in their own hands and boss Sabri Lamouchi urged the fans to fill the stadium on Saturday knowing three points at home could be “so important” after a run of just two wins from their last 14 games at the Cardiff City Stadium (D5, L7). That crowd support Lamouchi talks about could prove vital if they are to preserve an unbeaten home league record against Stoke City dating back to August 2007 (W2, D2).
That looks achievable as Stoke’s loss of form continued with a 1-0 defeat against basement club Wigan on Tuesday, marking their third loss from their last four games (D1). Firmly out of the play-off race, but holding a healthy nine-point cushion to the relegation zone, the Potters are already looking ahead to the next season, with coach Alex Neil hinting he will use the remaining games “to see where we are in terms of the summer and what we need to do.”
Despite their recent struggles, the Potters have performed admirably on their travels with only six sides picking up more away league points this season than their 29. Aided by a five-game unbeaten away run (W3, D2), that included four-goal margin wins at play-off hopefuls Sunderland and Coventry, Stoke should travel confident they can end their long wait for a win at this venue.
Players to watch: Sory Kaba’s overhead kick in midweek served as his fifth goal in six Championship matches, with the two home strikes in that sequence being scored with his head. One Stoke player who tends to be in the thick of the action is Nick Powell, scoring once and picking up two yellow cards across his last four games.
Hot stat: No Championship side has conceded more opening goals within the first 15 minutes than Stoke’s 12.