Bristol City v Cardiff predictions: Derby clash looks set to be cagey affair

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Bristol City v Cardiff in the Championship on Sunday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event and Football, midday Sunday

Best bet

Under 2.5 goals
1pt 10-11 bet365

Team news

Bristol City
Mark Sykes is suspended while Antione Semenyo, Tomas Kalas, Ayman Benarous and Nathan Baker are all injured.

Cardiff
Cedric Kipre, Curtis Nelson and Jamilu Collins are all injured. Mark McGuiness has departed on loan.

Match preview

The Severnside derby may not be as fervent as Cardiff’s with Swansea or Bristol City’s with their rivals Rovers but it is still a fixture that fans of both clubs will have circled at the start of the season.

Injuries and suspensions have affected both squads, leaving their respective managers set to field far from their strongest lineups for this clash.

Steve Morison’s men have put in strong performances despite their injury issues, which are particularly bad at the back.

The Bluebirds have taken nine points from their four league games and have conceded just two goals in that run.

Morison was dealt a further blow in their recent 0-0 draw with West Brom as left-back Jamilu Collins suffered a season-ending knee injury.

In the opposite dugout Nigel Pearson will be without star youngster Antoine Semenyo and defensive stalwart Tomas Kalas through injury while full-back Mark Sykes was sent off in their 2-0 win over Luton on Tuesday.

That was the first victory of the season for the Robins, who were beaten by Sunderland and Hull before taking a point from newly-promoted Wigan.

With both sides missing key players, this derby could have a disjointed feel.

To add to that, including the end of last season, eight of Cardiff’s last nine Championship matches have seen two or fewer goals and Morison is likely to set up for a similarly resolute defensive display as the one that allowed them to take a point from the Hawthorns.

Key stat

Eight of Cardiff's last nine Championship games have gone under 2.5 goals.

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