Cardiff City Championship Odds: More mid-table obscurity for Bluebirds

After a couple of seasons of regression, Erol Bulut breathed new life into Cardiff City last term as they finished in the top half of the Championship for the first time in three years. It has given Bluebirds’ fans hopes of positivity heading into the 2024/25 season, but can they build on that good foundation, and push for the play-offs?

Below I take a look at the Cardiff City Championship odds, as Bulut looks to build on his work so far and take the Welsh side back towards the Premier League.

Last Season: 12th

Top Scorer: Perry Ng, Karlan Grant, Kion Etete (6)

Transfers In: Chris Willock – QPR (free), Calum Chambers – Aston Villa (free)

Transfers Out: Ebou Adams – Derby (£800k), Ollie Denham – Sligo Rovers (free).

First Game: Sunderland (H) 

Prediction: 16th

Championship Odds

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We’re in a slightly strange place with Cardiff heading into the new season. They finished 12th last season, but are fourth-favourites to be relegated this season, despite retaining their manager and the majority of the squad that took them there. So why the negative vibes from the bookies?

Well, I don’t think they will be troubled by relegation at all this season, but I also think they will be a bottom half side, and finish lower than 12th. Their summer business so far has been less than inspiring, with Calum Chambers an interesting arrival from Villa. He’s been hampered with injuries throughout his career but could be a useful defensive option this season, potentially as cover at the back. 

He joins a defence which is clearly Cardiff’s strong point. Perry Ng has been superb since arriving from Crewe, and chipped in with six goals last term. Meanwhile, Dimitrios Goutas and Mark McGuiness are a great pairing at the heart of defence and Chambers can potentially compliment them. 

Jamilu Collins is a decent option on the left side, and Ethan Horvath already has a Championship promotion on his CV with Luton Town. Meanwhile Manolis Siopis is a bulldog of a midfielder who screens the back line and can make life tough for their opponents.

However, despite the individual solidity in defensive positions, Cardiff conceded 70 goals last term. I think the issue here comes not with the defenders, but with what is in front of them. Bulut isn’t an attacking manager, nor does his squad have the attackers, and progressive midfielders needed to take the pressure off that back line. 

Chris Willock may help from that perspective, and on his day he is one of the most effective attacking midfielders in the division. But he left QPR on a free, and his defensive work isn’t the best, so it remains to be seen if he can flourish in south Wales.

Football Odds

Aaron Ramsey is still knocking about but is now 33 and injury-prone, and while I’m expecting Rubin Colwill to carry on his progression, it doesn’t feel like Cardiff have enough going forward to challenge the big boys. Bulut has won 20 of his 50 games in charge of the Bluebirds, but although he is a steady hand at this level, I’m unconvinced that he is the man to take them into the top six and beyond.

They’ll be fine in terms of survival, anything more feels like a bigger ask than is possible at this moment in time, unless serious moves are made before the window shuts.

Offers

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