Fulham v Cardiff: Championship playoff betting preview, free tip & TV

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for the Sky Bet Championship playoff semi-final second leg between Fulham and Cardiff.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Football, 7.45pm Thursday

Best bet

Under 2.5 goals
2pts 4-6 general

Team news

Fulham
Ivan Cavaleiro is out while Scott Parker must weigh up whether to recall Aleksandar Mitrovic who will be assessed following a hamstring injury.

Cardiff
Cardiff have no new injury concerns but will see if Lee Tomlin is fit enough for three games in eight days. Greg Cunningham and Isaac Vassell remain out.

Match preview

Fulham host Cardiff at Craven Cottage in the second leg of this Sky Bet Championship playoff semi-final with the advantage of a buffer following Monday's 2-0 win in Wales.

The Whites are on the cusp of a Wembley final after a deserved victory in Cardiff and it's reasonable to expect them to opt for a cautious approach in their bid to seal a shot at an immediate Premier League return.

Scott Parker's men are just 1-33 to qualify for the final with the Bluebirds available to back at 14-1. If the reverse fixture resembles Monday's first leg, Fulham should win again after enjoying 63 per cent possession and 13 shots to Cardiff's six.

However, while Fulham will be eager to put the result of the tie beyond doubt, anyone betting on a home win in 90 minutes must ask themselves if they are happy backing a team who do not need to record a victory or even to draw.

History is on Fulham's side. Since the introduction of the second-tier playoffs in 1987, 15 teams have led by at least two goals heading into the second leg of a playoff tie and none have let their lead slip.

But, more often than not, teams with a significant lead exercised caution with only five of the 15 first-leg winners stretching their advantage. Six suffered a second-leg defeat but still qualified while four were content with a draw.

Much will depend on how Parker sets up his team but the Fulham boss should be confident of getting over the line considering his side have won eight of ten matches at the Cottage since losing against Reading on New Year's Day.

That run included a 2-0 victory over Cardiff earlier this month when Fulham dominated in a manner not dissimilar to Monday's meeting.

The Whites have kept clean sheets in four of their last six home matches - a record largely built on the centre-half partnership of Michael Hector and Tim Ream - and will hope to keep Cardiff at bay.

The Bluebirds are not known for their scoring prowess and their Championship goal tally of 68 was arguably greater than it should have been as their expected goals figure was just 57.5.

Neil Harris's men will have to chase the game from the outset, which may allow Fulham to pick them off, but the Whites will be desperate to not make any mistakes so goals could be at a premium.

Key stat

Five of Fulham's last six home matches featured under 2.5 goals.

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