A weekend without premier league football allows for the greatest league in the world to be the centre of attention this week. The drama of the championship is unmatched as shown numerous times this season alone. Our attention here turns to Wales where Cardiff host one of the inform sides, Nottingham Forest. This game has the perfect recipe for a bet builder with cards expected, goals a plenty and two teams who both need a win.
Forest approach this game in a completely different manner to the reverse fixture when they were struggling with form. The whole club seems to be thriving and fans are starting to dream of a return to the big league, particularly after an important derby victory.
On the other hand, Cardiff appear to be spiralling out of control, leaking goals and failing to offer a significant threat at the other end. The 4th worst back line and 5th worst attack in terms of goals are in need of a change in form which unfortunately for Morison could come at the cost of his job.
I have put together 4 selections for a bet builder @ 7/1 to give you an added incentive to watch this tie.
Cardiff v Nottingham Forest Bet Builder Tips & Predictions
Home over 2.5 cards
Referee David Webb doesn’t shy away from giving yellow cards, averaging 3.53 per game this season as shown on the cheat sheet. He has been in charge of two Cardiff games this season, giving out 9 yellows including 6 to the bluebirds.
Nottingham Forest by far and away lead the league in yellow cards against them this season. In 27 games they have drawn 75 yellow cards at an average of 2.78 per game, 15 more than any other side in the league. Similarly, they rank second in fouls conceded per 90 only trailing Swansea in the championship. With tricky players all over the front 4 and pace to burn it’s difficult to see how Forest don’t draw fouls in a game they should dominate.
On the other side, Cardiff are equally as prone to committing fouls committing 11.45 per game and also ranking second in the league. They also rank 5th in yellow cards per game, all the stats pointing towards a game with numerous cards and fouls. Forest are expected to carry on their form into this game against an out of sorts Cardiff side and should frustrate their hosts especially after a goal or two.
Phillip Zinckernagel 1+ shots on target
It can be argued that Phillip Zinckernagel’s arrival to England last January has not seen him reach the heights that he had in Norway with Bodø/Glimt in 2020. With so much promise following a 19 goal season, Zinckernagel netted just once in Watford’s promotion push last season.
A loan to current side Nottingham Forest followed in the summer and the Dane has cemented his role in the number 10 position in the 4231 system Forest operate in. He has registered 4 goals and 5 assists this season and will look to add to either tally against a side who give plenty of opportunities away and haven’t kept a clean sheet since the 14th October.
According to my cheat sheet below Zinckernagel averages 0.91 SOT per game and at odds of 1.44 seems too good of an offer to pass up on. Particularly when Zinckernagel has registered a shot on target in 4 of his last 6 away games and will be looking for another goal on the road this season.
Lewis Grabban 1+ shots on target
Forest’s top scorer for 3 years in a row is fairly well poised to net the award again this year, with 12 goals and 5 more than any other Forest player, including 3 in his last 4 appearances. He has been to pivotal to the upturn in form for the whole side which has seen the reds climb to 8th and start mounting an outside playoff push.
The numbers support Grabban’s performances with 11 shots and 6 on target in his last 5 games however he has maintained this high level for the whole season including netting his side’s only goal in the reverse fixture. The introduction of new signing Kienan Davis has seen Grabban operating off the left flank more recently, and with the former scoring his first goal on Tuesday night he appears in line for another start.
Although traditionally a shift to the wing brings less chances, Grabban should have the opportunity to target the pockets of space in behind the wing back due to Cardiff’s formation. Although teams will see Grabban as a major threat, his pace should counteract Cardiff trying any kind of press, allowing him space to drive at goal and I highly expect him to register a SOT in this game.
Nottingham Forest to win or draw
Cardiff are without a league win since November and are 22nd in the form table coming into this game, a fairly ominous sign for the hosts. Steve Morison’s side are just three points above the bottom three and despite his interim deal running to the end of the season, rumours about his departure are gaining momentum. Similarly, transfer rumours are disrupting Kieffer Moore, with the talisman a target for Bournemouth.
The negative atmosphere at Cardiff completely contrasts a Nottingham Forest side with 4 wins on the bounce including knocking off Arsenal in the FA Cup. The introduction of Keinan Davis on loan from Aston Villa bring another level of quality to an attack featuring Brennan Johnson, Zinckernagel and Grabban. Steve Cooper is getting the best out of his players which comes as little surprise to me, the former Swans manager knowing how to get results with his experience in this league.
Both sides need 3 points in this game for differing reasons, and don’t expect either side to settle for just a point. Forest arguably have the added incentive of seeking revenge after their 2-1 defeat at home to Cardiff earlier this season after letting their lead slip. Forest bring plenty of firepower to the table here and should score against this woeful Cardiff backline. A double chance selection should still cover this leg even if the Forest of recent time don’t show up.
Written by an Andy verified content writer
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Cardiff v Nottingham Forest Cheat Sheet
* All odds displayed correct at the time of publishing *
How to watch Cardiff v Nottingham Forest in the English Championship
📅 When is Cardiff v Nottingham Forest? / Sunday, 30 January 2022, 16:00
🏟 Where is Cardiff v Nottingham Forest? / Cardiff City Stadium (Cardiff)
📺 What TV Channel is Cardiff v Nottingham Forest on? / Sky Sports Main Events & Football
