Preston vs Cardiff prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-03-10 15:00.
Mid-table Preston North End’s 0-0 draw against promotion-chasing Watford was their third such result in four games and highlighted the lack of entertainment in their games this season, although it did at least extend their unbeaten run to five Championship matches (W1, D4. Manager Ryan Lowe’s post-match comment that “we didn’t have the cutting edge” is becoming a familiar lament, as 26% (nine) of their league games this term produced no goals!
Four of those were on home soil at Deepdale, where North End finished February strongly (W1, D2) to boost their chances of a top-half finish, even if the play-offs now look out of reach. If they’re to mount a late charge up the table, they’ll need to find some attacking prowess as they average just 0.67 goals per home league game this season, which is hardly encouraging as they meet Cardiff, who have won the last three H2Hs here.
The Bluebirds will therefore travel with some confidence, especially after their 2-0 Severnside derby win over Bristol City delivered a boost to their survival chances. “Lovely score, lovely day,” was how manager Sabri Lamouchi described a result which broke the mould as like Preston, they’ve struggled in attack this term and remain the Championship’s lowest scorers, netting just 27 goals in 35 games!
Deepdale might help them boost that figure though, as they average two goals per game across their last three visits here (W3), even though none of those goals arrived before the 50th minute. However, sitting just one place above the bottom three and having won just one of their last seven league away games (D2, L4), the Bluebirds shouldn’t expect an easy ride.
Players to watch: Preston’s Daniel Johnson has scored twice in this H2H, although he’ll be hoping if he nets again it’s third time lucky as on both previous occasions, Cardiff were victorious. Perry Ng has been busy for the Bluebirds recently, opening the scoring against Birmingham and deputising in goal against Bristol City after Ryan Allsop was sent off.
Hot streak: Preston have gone eight matches without scoring before half-time, while Cardiff have also failed to net before the interval in four outings.