Sheffield Wednesday vs Cardiff predictions: Goals at a premium at Hillsborough
- Sheffield Wednesday sit three points above the bottom three
- Cardiff remain in the relegation zone
- Recommended Bet: Back Under 2.5 goals
Sheffield Wednesday will aim to bounce back from their Steel City derby defeat when they host Cardiff in a crucial Championship clash on Saturday lunchtime.
The Owls' form has been inconsistent with Danny Rohl's men, who sit 15th in the table, yet to win two games in a row this season.
Cardiff's six-game unbeaten run under interim boss Omer Riza was ended by Luton earlier this month and they followed that up with a 3-1 home loss to Blackburn.
But Riza has taken Cardiff from the bottom of the Championship, with one goal and one point after six games, up to 22nd during his nine-game tenure so far.
Team news
Rohl will be without three players for Saturday's game, with defenders Akin Famewo and Michael Ihiekwe missing out together with winger Olaf Kobacki.
But midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah is pushing to be in contention for the weekend after failing to make an appearance for the Owls since his summer arrival.
As for Cardiff, Joe Ralls and Aaron Ramsey are closing in on making their returns from injury lay-offs, but this game may still be too soon for either midfielder to be involved.
Striker Kion Etete and winger Isaak Davies are working their way back from pre-season hamstring injuries, while centre-back Ryotaro Tsunoda is yet to feature for Cardiff after arriving during the January transfer window.
However, striker Callum Robinson and defender Calum Chambers could both return after minor fitness and illness issues, which saw them miss the Blackburn game.
The stats
Sheffield Wednesday have won three of their last five meetings with Cardiff, including a 5-0 home league win in 2021 and a 4-0 FA Cup third-round success at Hillsborough in January 2024.
The Bluebirds have failed to win any of their seven away games this season, losing four and drawing three.
Cardiff have failed to score in 57% of their away matches this season, while Wednesday have kept three clean sheets in eight previous home games.
Only two Championship clubs have recorded more shots on target than Cardiff this term, but only two clubs in the division have scored fewer league goals than the Bluebirds.
The Owls have won the joint-second most corners in the Championship this season (104) and have attempted the third-most crosses in the division (336).
Prediction
Cardiff created very little on their last away trip to Luton, although Riza felt they were unfortunate not to come away with a 0-0 draw.
They were all at sea defensively against Blackburn last time out as Rovers' pretty football picked holes in their back four.
The return of Chambers at the back and Robinson up front should make them harder to beat again, although Cardiff remain one of the Championship's least prolific teams away from home.
Fewer than three goals have been scored in five of their last six road trips and with Hillsborough regulars not having seen a third goal in three of the Owls' last four games, backing under 2.5 goals looks to be the way forward.
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