FOOTBALL journalist Adam Goodwin (@AGJournalism) takes a look at Saturday evening's Premier League contest between Cardiff and Bournemouth.
Cardiff v Bournemouth | Saturday 2nd February 2019, 17:30 | BT Sport
After a run of one win in eight games, Neil Warnock’s side have dropped back into the relegation zone. They’re four points adrift of safety now and this is almost a must-win game if they are to haul themselves out of the drop zone.
There was just the one Deadline Day acquisition for the Bluebirds, with Leandro Bacuna joining from Reading. Warnock reportedly wanted a striker after the tragic disappearance of Emiliano Sala but that didn’t get done, so it looks like Oumar Niasse will lead the line on Saturday.
I quite like backing Cardiff at home and I think, on its day, the Cardiff City Stadium generates one of the best atmospheres in the league.
Yes, they’ve been beaten heavily by the likes Tottenham, Manchester United and Manchester City there, but have won against the likes Fulham, Brighton, Wolves and Southampton.
As I mentioned, this is a huge game for them and I think that if the Bluebirds can start brightly, the crowd will be up for it and will have a huge impact on the result.
Bournemouth
Bournemouth delivered what could be the shock result of the season as they demolished Chelsea 4-0 at the Vitality Stadium on Wednesday night. It was a brilliant result which followed their crucial win against West Ham at the weekend – a result that ended a run of five games without a win.
Their away form is beginning to become a problem, however. It’s now seven consecutive defeats away from home, leaving them with just nine points from 11 away games. This could be down to their possession-based football not suiting playing away from home, and this is something that Cardiff will be keeping an eye on heading into this one.
The Cherries’ games always tend to see goals, with all but one of their matches this season seeing one or more goals. They’ve also seen Over 2.5 Goals land 17/24 (71%) of their Premier League games and 8/11 (73%) away from. So, I think we could see an enjoyable affair in Wales on Saturday evening.
The betting angle
I want to get Cardiff onside here and, despite Bournemouth’s resounding win on Wednesday night, I think Neil Warnock’s side can get something here. They’ve lost just 1/6 (17%) of their home games against teams currently in the bottom-half of the table and will fancy their chances in avoiding defeat again here.
With Bournemouth’s record of goals this season, I can also see this being quite entertaining so I’m going to have a punt on Cardiff to win or draw and Over 1.5 Goals on Bet 365’s Bet Builder at 11/10.
Eddie Howe’s side have lost or drawn with Over 1.5 Goals in all but one of their last seven away games and I think it’ll land again here.
Best Bets
Cardiff v Bournemouth – Cardiff double chance and Over 1.5 Goals (11/10 Bet365)
