Cardiff to bounce back from defeat with victory at Wolves

23Feb 2013

England - The Championship

Leaders Cardiff were shocked last time out against Brighton but will want to put their title hunt firmly back on track against struggling Wolves, and Jamie Dickenson is backing the Bluebirds to do so at Molineux in his early look at the Championship betting...

Cardiff v Wolves

Sunday, 2pm

Cardiff will be hoping to prove that their midweek home defeat against Brighton was a blip in their bid for automatic promotion when they take on Wolves at Molineux on Sunday afternoon.

Malky Mackay's side slipped to only their second home defeat of the season when Gus Poyet's Brighton took a 2-0 victory away from the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday night. The Bluebirds will look to return to form immediately though - like they did after their first defeat on home soil when they overcame Leicester 1-0 after a shock loss at the hands of lowly Peterborough. A goal from Craig Bellamy saw them achieve the win against the Foxes back in December and the influential Welshman could be the man to secure all three points this time around too.

Wolves are on a wretched run of form, now without a Championship victory in 10 attempts. New manager Dean Saunders has done little to help the relegated Premier League outfit who are currently lurking in the relegation zone. The Wolverhampton outfit have just four home wins this season, the joint-lowest in the league and Cardiff could add to their misery.

While Cardiff to win at 2.4 is a decent price in any game, some will prefer to back the league leaders in the Draw No Bet market at 1.66 for extra safety given their poor performance last time out.

Brighton v Burnley

Saturday, 3pm

Brighton will be buoyant after beating Championship leaders Cardiff, and will feel optimistic about their chances at home to out-of-form Burnley.

The Seagulls achieved a remarkable victory in South Wales thanks to goals from Andrea Orlandi and Leonardo Ulloa, part of Uruguayan manager Guy Poyet's growing foreign legion at the coastal club. Brighton are now unbeaten in three, and their narrow 3-2 FA Cup defeat to Arsenal last month was their last home loss in five games. Ex- Valencia winger Vicente has two goals in as many games and should start for the hosts at the Amex Stadium.

Burnley are without a victory in four league games, as their push for an unlikely play-off spot loses steam. Manager Sean Dyche says he is pleased despite the recent poor run, but a trip to Brighton - who defeated Burnley 3-1 at Turf Moor earlier in the season - doesn't look like offering respite. Clarets striker Charlie Austin was scoring goals for fun at the beginning of the campaign, but has now returned a relatively meagre four goals from his last 13 outings.

Brighton's last two victories were recorded with a clean sheet, and backing another Win To Nil for the home side against a Burnley team who drew a blank in midweek against struggling Middlesbrough looks worthwhile at 3.5.

Middlesbrough v Millwall

Saturday, 5.20pm live on Sky Sports 2

Promotion contenders Middlesbrough can be back on track with a victory over Kenny Jackett's Millwall at the Riverside on Saturday evening.

The televised encounter pits Boro - one win in eight league games - against Millwall who have suffered five straight Championship defeats. Perhaps not one for the neutral, but with Tony Mowbray's side achieving their most recent victory on home soil against Leeds with a clean sheet they could put in a similar performance against the off-colour Lions and triumph. Boro secured a draw midweek that saw them keep their opponents attack at bay, and fans of the North East club will hope those omens could good when they host Millwall.

The visitors five straight league defeats have come with them registering just two goals in the process, and last time out the Londoners were hammered 5-1 by lowly Peterborough at the Den. Millwall will struggle to stop the rot even against a Boro team not firing on all cylinders, as their strikeforce continues to look weaker for being without former loan star Chris Wood, who made a £2m January switch to fifth place Leicester City.

Middlesbrough have fared much better home than away this season, with their 11 victories at the Riverside dwarfing just five on the road. Therefore a dominant win at half-time and full-time can be achieved here at 3.5.

Recommended Bets

Back Cardiff to win at 2.4

Back Cardiff in the Draw No Bet market at 1.66

Back Brighton to win at 2.1

Back Brighton to Win To Nil at 3.5

Back Middlesbrough to win at 2.15

Back Middlesbrough to win at half-time and full-time at 3.5

Prices are based on our Fixed Odds product, so any winnings are exempt from commission.