Cardiff City vs Arsenal

BPL 2018-19 – Cardiff City vs Arsenal Match Preview

Struggling Cardiff host the relieved Arsenal. Cardiff are yet to win a game this season and have been bounced out of the cup to Norwich during the midweek, therefore the spirits aren’t very high currently. Meanwhile, Arsenal have finally picked up their first win of the season as they beat West Ham 3-1 in a game where many will consider them lucky, but a wins a win and it could be a huge confidence booster going into the game in Wales.

Key Facts

Cardiff are yet to win a game in the Premier League and are yet to even score a goal in the league although they got to play against 10 men Newcastle and Huddersfield too for 30 minutes each which is a very worrying sign.

Cardiff however have shown to have a decent defence and they will make you work really hard for your goals with their gritty play. Cardiff have kept 2 straight league clean sheets. They are a bit of a boring side with already having two 0-0 games. However, we also need to consider the fact that they played two awfully looking going forward teams with both being down to 10 men too. The only time that Cardiff have ran into a decent attacking side against Bournemouth they lost 2-0.

None of the Cardiff games have hit an over 2.5 goals mark in the league.

Cardiff are a much better home side as proven last season in the Championship. They had a solid 16W 4D 3L home record which was 2nd best to only being the 4th best away team so they may be quite a tough team to break at home.

Arsenal have only won ONE away game throughout the whole of 2018, that being the final game of 2017-18 season at Huddersfield. A game that was played for nothing. However, in the only away game this season Arsenal showed promise where they competed really well with Chelsea losing 3-2.

Arsenal are a poor defensive side conceding 6 goals already and keeping on clean sheets. They could’ve very easily conceded more had West Ham taken their chances last week.

Aubameyang is yet to score a goal this season, so we should look out for him as players like him don’t often have long goal droughts.

2 of the 3 Arsenal games have hit an over 3.5 goals mark.

The last time that Cardiff were in the BPL (2013-14) and played Arsenal they lost both matches 2-0 and 0-3.

Team News

Cardiff: Cardiff are facing some key absentees for this game. They will be missing 2 key wingers in Nathaniel Mendez-Laing who is out for long term after injuring his knee last week. Meanwhile their arguable best player Junior Hoilett is more than likely to be out after missing the Huddersfield game last week. Aron Gunnarsson is also still out. We should be expecting Cardiff to set up defensively and try to sniff Arsenal’s attacks out and frustrate them as much as they can with tough physical play.

Arsenal: Star man Mesut Ozil has trained and is available to play after missing the West Ham game what was suspected either as an illness or some say he may have just had a bust up with Emery after his poor performances. Otherwise, there aren’t any other injury news for Arsenal. Lucas Torreira could make his first start after making an impact is what now has been 3 straight games off the bench. Also, Lacazette may start but all of this is guessing and Emery may like these two as super subs instead of starters. Expect an attacking minded side being fielded here, it will take a lot of effort to break down Cardiff’s defence, but once they do it could rain goals.

Betting Tips and Predictions

It’s an interesting one because if you look at the trends you’d think Cardiff are a great defensive side, but the teams they held off were struggling Newcastle and Huddersfield. Arsenal on the other hand have shown good forward play, they’re quick, have flair and the only doubt is that are they willing to take Cardiff’s physicality? If they can, then everything should be fine for Arsenal. Arsenal’s away record worries us a little bit, but in their only away game this season we’ve seen a different Arsenal, they didn’t just quit at 2-0, they came back and just got unlucky to lose. Cardiff failed to beat two 10 men teams while also losing to a better Bournemouth side, plus missing some key players going forward will limit them even more. Arsenal’s back line is bad but surely its better than Cardiff’s previous 3 opponents. We’re thinking an Arsenal win to nil at 2.65 and Lacazette to score anytime at 2.35. We will risk it with Lacazette in hopes that he will start after putting in 3 good performances off the bench. Surely, Emery have noticed that by now. Our prediction is a 0-2 Arsenal win.

Match Odds (TonyBet)

Cardiff City Win – 6.45

Draw – 4.40

Arsenal Win – 1.55