Cardiff City and Hull City collide in the Sky Bet Championship this weekend with both sides needing a win in order to remain in play‑off contention.

Kick‑off is set for 3 pm UK time at the Cardiff City Stadium.

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Cardiff City

The hosts returned to winning ways with a 2‑1 away victory at Coventry City last weekend after suffering consecutive defeats in their two previous outings. The losses had put a significant dent in Cardiff’s play‑off ambitions, but a win this weekend could leave them within five points of the play‑off spots depending on other results. Another defeat could spell an end to any hopes of Premier League football next season, though.

Cardiff have performed slightly better at home than on the road, averaging 1.5 points per game on home soil compared to only 1.3 in away fixtures. They have won three of their last five at home, though their most recent home match ended in a 2‑0 defeat to Sunderland at the end of March.

Erol Bulut’s side have averaged 1.15 goals per match at home so far, but have already failed to score in 35% of their 20 home fixtures. They have, however, scored two or more in 45% of these games.

Defensively, Cardiff have conceded 1.2 goals per home game and have conceded in 70% of matches at the Cardiff City Stadium. 40% have seen them concede at least two.

Hull City

Liam Rosenior’s side head into the fixture on the back of a 3‑1 away loss at Leeds United. The result was their seventh loss on the road this term and their first in six matches.

Hull have fared better in away fixtures than at home so far; their average of 1.58 points per away game betters the 1.4 they’ve managed on home soil. They’ve been particularly solid in front of goal, scoring an average of 1.42 goals per away game, and have failed to score in just 16% of these matches. Given Cardiff’s defensive record, Hull will be confident of finding the net again this weekend.

Their main difficulty has been at the other end of the pitch. A worrying average of 1.53 goals conceded on their travels has meant only 21% of their away fixtures have ended in a clean sheet. Hull have also conceded two or more goals in 47% of away games.

Prediction

Only two points separates the two sides heading into the fixture, indicating a close encounter can be anticipated. Hull do appear the more well‑rounded side of the two, and have also performed well on their travels this season. The Leeds loss was their first away defeat in the Championship since New Year’s Day.

We expect the away side to spell an end to any play‑off ambitions Cardiff may still be harbouring with a hard‑earned victory in South Wales on Saturday.

OddsNow’s Pick: Hull City to win (6/5 @ BoyleSports)