Cardiff vs Stoke predictions: No faith in front of goal for faltering sides![Copy icon](/ls-web-assets/svgs/common/link-471b4.svg)
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![Cardiff boss Erol Bulut will hope to seen an improvement against Stoke](https://uk1.sportal365images.com/process/smp-image-api/livescore.com/22022024/ef546b42-03ad-49ef-951c-2e2125b1d76f.jpg?operations=fit(707:)&w=707&quality=100)
- There have been 1-2 goals in three of Cardiff's last five Championship games and four of Stoke's last eight
- Fewer than three goals have been scored in nine of the last 13 meetings between the clubs
- Recommended Bet: Multi Goals - 1-2 Goals
Stoke will seek to arrest their slide down the Championship table when they travel to Cardiff to face the Bluebirds on Saturday afternoon.
Steven Schumacher's side are precariously placed heading into the final 13 games of the campaign, just four points clear of the bottom three.
Meanwhile, Cardiff picked up a point at home to Blackburn in midweek, but the fans are not happy after the drab 0-0 draw extended their winless run to six games at home.
Bluebirds boss Erol Bulut had to remind his captain, Ryan Wintle, of his responsibilities after the midfielder reacted to the supporters venting their frustrations following a free-kick, and the pressure is on ahead of Saturday's encounter.
Team news
Influential Bluebirds defender Perry Ng could start again on Saturday after missing the last two games with hip problems.
Bulut made three changes on Tuesday night, with Wintle, Josh Bowler and Kion Etete replacing Joe Ralls, Famara Diedhiou and Josh Wilson-Esbrand in the line-up.
The manager revealed Ralls, who was an unused substitute against Blackburn, was left out as a precaution against injury.
Ethan Horvath looks set to retain his place in goal after keeping a clean sheet on his home debut in midweek.
As for Stoke, Tyrese Campbell and Andre Vidigal will hope they impressed Schumacher enough while playing for the Under-21s in midweek to win a place back in the match-day squad.
Striker Campbell set up two, while winger Vidigal scored one and made another.
Goalkeeper Daniel Iversen (dead leg) and defender Luke McNally (thigh) failed late fitness tests ahead of last week's home defeat to Coventry but could return.
Midfielder Wouter Burger, defender Junior Tchamadeu, midfielder Bae Junho and forward Niall Ennis could step up from bench duty to the starting XI if the Stoke head coach shuffles his pack once more.
The stats
This is the tenth time Stoke have collected as few as 35 points from their opening 33 games of a season since three points for a win was introduced 43 years ago. On four of those past nine occasions, they were relegated at the end of the season.
Only 39% of Stoke's Championship matches have seen three or more goals scored, the joint-lowest ratio in the division.
Schumacher's side have recorded fewer than four shots on target in five of their last seven league games.
Meanwhile, Stoke are winless in their last seven league games against Cardiff (D5 L2) since a 2-0 home win in February 2020.
But Cardiff have won just two of their last eight home league games against the Potters (D4 L2).
![Cardiff defender Perry Ng should return from injury to feature against Stoke](https://uk1.sportal365images.com/process/smp-image-api/livescore.com/22022024/134a2352-df13-4d64-8c5b-48e043a64deb.jpg?operations=fit(707:)&w=707&quality=100)
Prediction
Cardiff's goal drought at home extended to almost four and a half games on Tuesday when Blackburn were able to record their first clean sheet in 17 games.
Bulut's Bluebirds lack confidence when they get into shooting positions, and the situation does not augur well for a feast of goals this weekend.
Stoke, who have registered in their last eight away league trips, can score on the road, but their belief is brittle.
The Potters have buckled under pressure too many times this season and cannot be trusted to see out a result if they take the lead.
However, one strike might be enough to earn them a point, with the likelihood being that this fixture fails to produce more than two goals again.
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