Preston vs. Cardiff Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 8 April 2025 - bettingexpert
As we approach the 41st round of the Championship, Preston North End will face Cardiff City at Deepdale on 8 April 2025, with kick-off at 19:45. This match holds significant importance for both sides, albeit for different reasons.
Preston, currently sitting in 14th place with 48 points, aim to solidify their mid-table position and maintain momentum as they eye a strong finish to the season. Cardiff, on the other hand, are battling to escape the relegation zone, sitting in 22nd place with 41 points.
Preston has dominated recent encounters against Cardiff, with three wins in their last five meetings, making them the bookmakers’ favourites with odds of 2.23 for a home win. Despite some injury concerns, Preston has not lost in 13 consecutive home games in this tournament, reflecting their defensive resilience.
Cardiff’s away form has been problematic, managing only two wins in 19 matches this season. However, they’ve scored in 75% of their away matches, indicating potential threats up front.
Given these dynamics, and the match tips favouring a home win for Preston, the Lilywhites are well-positioned to collect three points and continue their dominance over Cardiff.
Preston vs Cardiff Prediction & Betting Tip
The recommended betting tip for this matchup is a home win for Preston. Considering the bookmakers favor Preston with odds of 2.23, they seem well-positioned to continue their impressive home form against Cardiff.
| Preston vs Cardiff Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Home win for Preston | 2.23 |
- Recent Dominance: Preston has won three of their last five meetings against Cardiff, including two 2-0 victories.
- Home Advantage: Preston has not lost in 13 consecutive home matches in this competition, showcasing their defensive strength.
- Cardiff’s Away Struggles: Cardiff has managed only 2 wins in 19 away matches this season, indicating they might struggle at Deepdale.
Preston’s defensive resilience and Cardiff’s poor away form make a home win the most likely outcome.
Preston vs Cardiff Odds
Here’s a quick snapshot of the betting odds for the upcoming Preston vs Cardiff match:
| Preston vs Cardiff Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Preston | 2.23 |
| Draw | 3.22 |
| Cardiff | 3.21 |
Preston is the bookmakers’ favourite to win this clash, reflecting their stronger position in the league and superior home record. The odds of 2.23 suggest a decent chance for a home win.
Cardiff’s odds at 3.21 indicate a tougher battle on the road, given their lower league position and recent struggles away from home.
Predicting a draw comes with odds of 3.22, highlighting the competitive nature of the Championship.
Preston Team Analysis
Preston Recent Performance
Here’s a look at Preston’s recent form in their last five matches:
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preston | Stoke | 2025-04-05 | Championship | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Derby | Preston | 2025-04-02 | Championship | 2-0 (Loss) |
| Preston | Aston Villa | 2025-03-30 | FA Cup | 0-3 (Loss) |
| Preston | Portsmouth | 2025-03-15 | Championship | 2-1 (Win) |
| Sunderland | Preston | 2025-03-11 | Championship | 1-1 (Draw) |
Preston’s recent performances have been a mixed bag, with only one win in their last five matches (LDLWD). They’ve managed to score an average of 0.80 goals per game in these outings and have struggled to keep clean sheets.
While they have been consistent in competing, their defense will need to tighten up, especially at home. Despite not having a perfect record, they remain unbeaten at Deepdale in the last 13 Championship home games, displaying strong home ground resilience.
Preston Key Players
Preston will be banking on their top scorer Emil Riis Jakobsen, who has netted 10 goals this season, to lead the attacking line against Cardiff. His partnership with Milutin Osmajic in the forward positions will be crucial for generating goal-scoring opportunities. In midfield, Ben Whiteman and Stefan Thordarson are expected to control the tempo and provide defensive stability. Sam Greenwood and Robert Brady’s roles as wing-backs will be vital in both offensive support and defensive duties.
Expected lineup for Preston:
- Goalkeeper: David Cornell
- Defenders: Jordan Storey, Liam Lindsay, Lewis Gibson
- Midfielders: Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Ben Whiteman, Stefan Thordarson, Sam Greenwood, Robert Brady
- Forwards: Emil Riis Jakobsen, Milutin Osmajic
In key individual battles, watch out for Emil Riis Jakobsen going head-to-head with Cardiff’s defenders, particularly Joel Bagan and Will Fish.
Preston Suspensions & Injuries
Preston will be dealing with several key absences due to injuries, which might impact their performance in the upcoming match against Cardiff.
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Jack Whatmough | Calf Injury | Late April 2025 |
| Alistair McCann | Leg injury | Mid April 2025 |
| Brad Potts | Hamstring Injury | Mid April 2025 |
| Freddie Woodman | Ankle injury | Out for season |
With Freddie Woodman out for the season, David Cornell will need to step up as the main goalkeeper. The injuries to key players like Whatmough and McCann will necessitate adjustments in defense and midfield, potentially affecting the team’s overall cohesion and stability.
Expect Paul Heckingbottom to rely on squad depth and tactical adjustments to mitigate these losses.
Preston Tactics and Formation
Preston Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 3-5-2
- Key Forwards: Emil Riis Jakobsen and Milutin Osmajic
- Midfield Composition: Kaine Kesler-Hayden and Robert Brady on the wings, with Ben Whiteman, Stefán Teitur Thórdarson, and Sam Greenwood central.
- Defensive Setup: Jordan Storey, Liam Lindsay, and Lewis Gibson form the back three.
- Defensive Concerns: No clean sheets in the last five games.
- Notable Strategy: Despite a slightly leaky defense, expect a concerted effort to control the midfield and attack effectively through the wings.
Paul Heckingbottom’s side will look to leverage their wing-backs to provide width. With Riis Jakobsen as the top scorer, he will be the focal point in converting chances created by the midfield trio. Expect Preston to aim for a balanced approach between defense and attack, especially given their recent struggles to keep clean sheets.
Cardiff Team Analysis
Cardiff Recent Performance
Cardiff’s recent form has been a mixed bag, with slight inconsistency in their performances. In their last five matches, they’ve recorded:
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queens Park Rangers | Cardiff | 2025-04-05 | Championship | 0-0 (Draw) |
| Cardiff | Sheffield Wednesday | 2025-03-29 | Championship | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Blackburn | Cardiff | 2025-03-15 | Championship | 1-2 (Win) |
| Cardiff | Luton | 2025-03-11 | Championship | 1-2 (Loss) |
| Sunderland | Cardiff | 2025-03-08 | Championship | 2-1 (Loss) |
Recent Form: DDWLL
Cardiff has averaged 1.00 goals per game and secured one clean sheet in their last five matches. Though they have shown that they can find the back of the net, maintaining defensive solidity remains a challenge. Given their current position (22nd) and struggles on the road, their quest for points continues as they face an in-form Preston side.
Cardiff Key Players
Expected lineup for Cardiff:
- Goalkeeper: Ethan Horvath
- Defenders: Andy Rinomhota, Joel Bagan, Will Fish, Callum O’Dowda
- Midfielders: Rubin Colwill, Sivert Mannsverk, Cian Ashford
- Attackers: Will Alves, Yousef Salech, Isaak Davies
Key players for Cardiff include:
- Callum Robinson: The team’s top scorer with 12 goals. Robinson’s ability to find space and finish could be crucial in this match against a solid Preston defense.
- Rubin Colwill: As a driving force in midfield, Colwill’s creativity and vision will be essential in breaking down Preston’s back line.
- Yousef Salech: Expected to lead the line, Salech’s physicality and presence in the box could unsettle Preston’s defense.
Individual battles to watch: Robinson vs Preston’s Liam Lindsay, and Colwill vs Ben Whiteman in midfield.
Cardiff Suspensions & Injuries
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Jak Alnwick | Hamstring Injury | Mid April 2025 |
| Aaron Ramsey | Hamstring Injury | Late April 2025 |
| Joe Ralls | Calf Injury | Late April 2025 |
| Anwar El Ghazi | Back injury | Late April 2025 |
| Perry Ng | Physical discomfort | About 1-2 weeks |
Cardiff are currently grappling with several key injuries that could impact their performance. First-choice goalkeeper Jak Alnwick is sidelined with a hamstring injury, which means Ethan Horvath will continue between the sticks. The absence of Aaron Ramsey and Joe Ralls in midfield is significant, as their creativity and experience will be missed. Anwar El Ghazi’s back injury deprives Cardiff of a dynamic winger who could have stretched Preston’s defense. Lastly, Perry Ng’s discomfort limits defensive options, placing additional pressure on the available backline. These injuries might force coach Ömer Riza to rely more on younger and less experienced players, affecting overall team cohesion.
Cardiff Tactics and Formation
Cardiff’s Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Callum Robinson
- Midfield Trio: Rubin Colwill, Sivert Mannsverk, Cian Ashford
- Defensive Strength: One clean sheet in the last five games.
- Notable Strategy: Strong offensive play in the final 15 minutes (76-90 min).
Cardiff are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, emphasizing solidity at the back and structured midfield play. Rubin Colwill and Sivert Mannsverk will look to control the tempo from the central areas, while Cian Ashford provides additional support in midfield. Upfront, Callum Robinson remains a significant threat, particularly during the latter stages of the match, where Cardiff tends to score most goals. The defensive backline, led by Joel Bagan and Will Fish, needs to stay disciplined, given their recent struggles on the road. Coach Ömer Riza will likely focus on strategic pressing and quick transitions to exploit Preston’s defensive vulnerabilities, aiming to convert late-game opportunities.
Preston vs Cardiff Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiff City | Preston North End | 2024-12-11 | Championship | 0-2 (Loss) |
| Cardiff City | Preston North End | 2024-02-10 | Championship | 0-2 (Loss) |
| Preston North End | Cardiff City | 2023-11-25 | Championship | 1-2 (Loss) |
| Preston North End | Cardiff City | 2023-03-11 | Championship | 2-0 (Win) |
| Cardiff City | Preston North End | 2022-08-27 | Championship | 0-0 (Draw) |
Preston has had the upper hand in recent encounters, winning three out of the last five meetings against Cardiff. Their dominant performances, including two 2-0 away victories, highlight their defensive solidity and ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities. This historical advantage may provide Preston with the psychological edge they need going into the upcoming match.
Odds accurate as of 6th April 2025, 7:48 PM, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with {any bookmaker}.
