The Championship: Southampton v Cardiff Odds and Betting Preview

SOUTHAMPTON, UK – Second-placed Southampton face third-placed Cardiff City this evening in their crucial Championship clash at St Mary’s Stadium. Southampton will be playing with the advantage of an enthusiastic home crowd, and start the match as favourites to secure three points at 10/11 (bet £11 to make £10 profit) with Ladbrokes. For those punters expecting a victory for the away side, however, Malky Mackay’s Cardiff can be backed at a market best of 10/3 with Bet Victor, whilst the draw is on offer at 11/4 with Betinternet.

Southampton had led the Championship for much of the season, but after a poor run of form, during which they suffered three defeats in four fixtures, they have slipped to second place, three points behind rivals West Ham. Saints boss Nigel Adkins still has automatic promotion to the top flight at the end of this season firmly in his sights, but if his side are to achieve this goal then they must return to winning ways as quickly as possible. There would be no better way to start than with a victory over Cardiff in tonight’s game, and Southampton will be bolstered by the return of star striker Rickie Lambert, who made his full recovery from injury and played during their 1-1 FA Cup draw against Millwall on Saturday. Cardiff, however, are unbeaten in their last five games, and will prove tough opposition to beat.

In the over/under betting the top price on over 2.5 goals being scored is 19/20 with Ladbrokes, whilst under 2.5 goals is on offer at 10/11, also with Ladbrokes. The bookmakers are clearly not expecting this crucial game to end in a goalless stalemate, however, and under 0.5 goals can therefore be backed at 10/1 with both William Hill and Stan James.

Rickie Lambert has been on astonishingly sharp form in front of goal for Southampton so far this season, and currently leads the Championship top scorer table with fifteen goals. Unsurprisingly Lambert starts today’s game as favourite to open the scoring, and can be backed to do so at best odds of 9/2 with Bet365. Lambert’s team mate, Guly do Prado, is also thought dangerous by the bookmakers, and is available to be the first name on the score sheet at 11/2 with Skybet, whilst David Connolly is on offer at 6/1 with Skybet. Cardiff’s most threatening attacking player, on the other hand, is thought to be Kenny Miller, who can be backed to break the deadlock at 8/1 with Bet365.

Southampton are quoted at best odds of 11/5 with Ladbrokes to win the match after leading at half time, whilst draw/Southampton is on offer at 4/1 with Coral. Draw/Cardiff, on the other hand, is available at 8/1 with Blue Square, whilst those punters who think that the away side will fight back to win after trailing at half time can back Southampton/Cardiff at odds as long as 45/1 with Coral

Kick Off is at 19.45 GMT

Southampton v Cardiff Match Odds

Southampton v Cardiff Over/Under Odds

Southampton v Cardiff First Goalscorer Odds

Southampton v Cardiff Half-Time/Full-Time Odds