Cardiff City to continue winning form
Cardiff City have been on a tear since January 13th.The Bluebirds have gone eight matches without defeat, and six of those games have seen the team win.
Cardiff have collected six clean sheets during their unbeaten run, and the team is in a realistic position to catch league leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers. At one time, Wolves' lead seemed insurmountable. However, the league leaders have lost form, and Cardiff are just six points off first place.
Cardiff didn't play at the weekend as their match against Brentford was rearranged due to the winter weather conditions affecting the United Kingdom. For that reason, Cardiff will be rested going into their midweek fixture against Barnsley. The two clubs are at opposite ends of the Championship table. Barnsley are just two points above relegation, and the team has won just twice since mid-November. It is a run that has seen Barnsley lose 10 matches.
In November, Cardiff visited Barnsley and started the Reds on their current streak. The Bluebirds won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Callum Paterson.
Cardiff go into Tuesday night's match with the lowest goals allowed tally in the Championship. The Bluebirds have conceded just 27 goals while scoring 50. Cardiff goalkeeper Neil Etheridge has kept 16 clean sheets. It is the second highest total in the league behind Wolverhampton's John Ruddy.
Facing Etheridge and the Cardiff defence won't put smiles on the faces of Barnsley's forwards. The Reds have scored the fourth fewest goals in the Championship. The team has found the back of the net just 34 times. Meanwhile, Barnsley's defence have conceded 48 goals. Making Barnsley's plight to beat Cardiff even more difficult is the Bluebirds' home form. Neil Warnock's team has the highest home points total in the league (39).
The Bluebirds have 12 matches go to reach promotion. The team will play twice at home this week and the team's second match will also be against a relegation candidate. Birmingham, losers of five straight, will go to Wales with new manager Garry Monk in tow. The Bluebirds could theoretically reduce the six points between themselves and first place to zero by the end of the week.
Cardiff's strengths this season has been their defence and Warnock's ability to change tactics during games. He has kept opponents guessing and Warnock is no stranger to getting clubs promoted. Cardiff's leading scorer is Junior Hoilett, but the Canadian only has eight goals this term. It is proof of Warnock's desire to mix up his starting XI and not rely too heavily on one player. Kenneth Zohore has been in good form for Cardiff of late and has scored in back-to-back games. He came off the bench last time out to score the winner against Bristol City. Despite his form, there is no guarantee that he will start on Tuesday.
Cardiff and Warnock should continue their assault on the Championship on Tuesday with a win. Expect another clean sheet from Etheridge as the Bluebirds stroll. Whether they can get any closer to Wolves is another story.
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