West Brom and Cardiff are at opposite ends of the league table and form table, but not in the way you may think. The fourth-placed Baggies are winless in five, while Cardiff have three wins in four, despite languishing in 20th spot.
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West Brom vs Cardiff prediction: Can the baggies get their promotion push back on track?
- After 16 points from their first six, West Brom have just three from their last five.
- Only Leeds have more points in the last five than Cardiff.
- The Bluebirds have hit seven in their last two games
Correct score prediction: West Brom 1-1 Cardiff
After concerning back-to-back losses against Sheffield United and Middlesbrough, West Brom have steadied the ship with three straight draws, and we back that trend to continue in this one.
Cardiff, for all their recent form, are without key men Aaron Ramsey and Joe Ralls for this one and a win at the Hawthorns may be a bridge too far for the Welsh club.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Baggies favoured to bag all three points
HOME: 7/10 (1.70) – 58.8%
DRAW: 31/10 (4.10) – 24.4%
AWAY: 21/5 (5.20) – 19.2%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
West Brom are the bookmakers' expected winner in this clash with a 58.8% chance of victory.
For more tips on today's Championship action and more, check out our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: West Bromwich dominance
The Black Country club have very much had the upper hand in this one in recent years, as they have chased a return to the top flight.
They have not lost to Cardiff since January 2020, with three wins and three draws since.
England Championship 13/02/24
West Brom
Cardiff
England Championship 28/11/23
Cardiff
West Brom
England Championship 15/03/23
Cardiff
West Brom
England Championship 17/08/22
West Brom
Cardiff
England Championship 02/01/22
West Brom
Cardiff
West Brom preview: a season of two halves
West Brom have had a Jekyll and Hyde 2024/25, starting on fire, but spluttering of late.
Their defence has held up well, but the Baggies have scored just two in their last four.
Carlos Corberan will almost have a full compliment of players to choose from here, with only Daryl Dikes expected to miss this game.
Predicted lineup: Palmer (GK), Furlong, Ajayi, McNair, Heggem, Racic, Mowatt, Fellows, Diangana, Grant, Maja
England Championship 03/05/25
W
Luton
3
West Brom
5
England Championship 26/04/25
D
Cardiff
0
West Brom
0
England Championship 21/04/25
L
Derby
3
West Brom
1
England Championship 18/04/25
L
Coventry
2
West Brom
0
England Championship 12/04/25
W
Watford
1
West Brom
2
Cardiff preview: Bluebirds spreading their wings
The Bluebirds had an abysmal start to 2024/25, losing six of their opening seven games, with a sole point coming in a derby draw against Swansea.
But Cardiff's impressive window that saw them sign seasoned Premier League pros like Calum Chambers and Anwar El-Ghazi has begun to pay dividends in recent weeks.
This clash comes too soon for Joe Ralls, and he will join Aaron Ramsey, Cian Ashford, Kion Etete and Ryotaro Tsunoda in watching this one from the stands.
Predicted lineup: Alnwick (GK), Ng, Goutas, Chambers, O'Dowda, Robertson, Turnbull, Tanner, Colwill, El-Ghazi, Robinson
England Championship 03/05/25
L
Norwich
4
Cardiff
2
England Championship 26/04/25
D
West Brom
0
Cardiff
0
England Championship 21/04/25
D
Oxford Utd
1
Cardiff
1
England Championship 18/04/25
L
Sheff Utd
2
Cardiff
0
England Championship 12/04/25
L
Stoke
1
Cardiff
0
Player to watch: Josh Maja
Despite drawing blanks since the end of September, only Norwich's Borja Sainz has more Championship goals than Josh Maja.
The one-time Nigeria international was key to the Baggies' red hot start, and they need him to get firing again to keep up their promotion push.
The 25-year-old striker has accumulated chances 1.57 expected goals since his last goal… surely it is just a matter of time until he is back among the goals?