Football League Tips: Cardiff underrated?

Neil Warnock

Here are The Football Lab’s betting tips for the weekend’s action. Doncaster hope to continue their surge towards promotion with a win at Huish Park and Peterborough and MK Dons play out a local derby. But first – will Cardiff continue their climb up the table when they visit Reading?

Reading v Cardiff

Reading have lost four of their last nine games, conceding 18 goals in that time including five at Craven Cottage, with many of their five victories coming fortuitously.

Cardiff have picked up the same number of points – 15 – performance statistics suggesting they are playing better than the Royals. Leaders Brighton became just the second team to beat the Bluebirds since November and, along with Fulham, are the only team to have a higher Expected Goals rate over the preceding six games. Against the Seagulls, they lost 1-0 but created good chances and forced Stockdale into a number of good saves.

This blog predicts that Cardiff will win at Reading, with odds of up to 13/5. You can visit www.bestukcasino.org.uk and place your bet.

Peterborough v MK Dons

Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony said that his side’s performance in a 2-0 at Oldham on Tuesday night was worse the one they put in when they lost 5-1 at Bury. The hardened Posh fans who made those two long trips to Greater Manchester have had scant reward in a period of poor performances from the team.

That is not the best preparation for a derby game against an in-form MK Dons side. The Buckinghamshire outfit have amassed 10 points from six league games under Robbie Neilson’s management, including victories in other rivals clashes with AFC Wimbledon and Northampton. The five goals they scored against the latter suggests they are looking more like the 14/15 promotion-winning team that attacked with pace, power and intent, Chuks Aneke at the centre of everything.

You can get odds of up to 15/8 on MK Dons to record another victory.

Yeovil v Doncaster

Doncaster Rovers have won 18 of their 27 games this season while Yeovil have lost 10 of their 27, which would suggest Doncaster have a 53% chance of winning. The only argument to the contrary would be that Darren Way’s side have home advantage, which is reduced by the fact they have failed to score in their last three home games, while Donny have won more often than not on the road.

The South Yorkshire side have dropped just two points in the last seven league games, with the likes of John Marquis and Tommy Rowe in sizzling form. The duo have great technique for League Two level and are among five Doncaster players to have scored over six goals in the division. Yeovil do not have any: Ryan Hedges and Otis Khan are their main attacking contributors with nine goals between them but both are currently out through injury.

A Doncaster a win at odds against represents excellent value.