Sunderland vs Cardiff City Prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds

The Stadium of Light gears up to host the Welsh outfit for an entertaining clash.

The EFL Championship 2024-25 Matchday 36 fixtures take us to the Stadium of Light where Sunderland AFC are set to host Cardiff City.

Sunderland AFC currently sit 4th in the Championship points table, having slipped from the summit after a string of inconsistent displays. Despite leading the charge for a significant portion of the season, their recent form has seen them drift from the top spot. However, a crucial 2-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday, powered by Mayenda’s brilliant brace, has reignited their push for promotion.

As they prepare to host Cardiff City FC in their upcoming fixture, the Black Cats will be eager to capitalize on their home advantage. With the race for the top intensifying, securing three points will be pivotal in keeping their automatic promotion hopes alive.

Saturdays on Wearside 🏡🔜

— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) March 5, 2025

Cardiff City FC find themselves in a perilous position, sitting 21st in the Championship points table. Their recent form has been dismal, with a 2-1 defeat to Burnley further deepening their woes, a match where, despite their best efforts, they fell short of salvaging even a single point.

With only eight wins from 35 matches, Cardiff’s season has been a story of missed opportunities and defensive vulnerabilities, highlighted by a concerning -19 goal difference. As they prepare to face Sunderland, the Bluebirds will need to dig deep to spark a late-season revival and steer clear of the relegation zone.

Kick-off:

• Location: Sunderland, UK
• Stadium: Stadium of Light
• Date: Saturday, 8 March
• Kick-off: 8:30 PM IST
• Referee: Darren Bond
• VAR: In Use

Form:

Sunderland (in all competitions): W-L-L-W-D

Cardiff (in all competitions): L-L-W-D-D

Players to watch out for:

Jobe Bellingham (Sunderland AFC)

Jobe Bellingham, the 19-year-old English midfielder from Stourbridge, carved his path through Birmingham City before joining Sunderland in 2023. Since his arrival, he has made 76 appearances and netted 11 goals, steadily establishing himself as a key figure in the squad.

Jobe Bellingham 🎯#ITVFootball | @EFL | @SunderlandAFC pic.twitter.com/3vP6CzUUxE

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) October 2, 2024

Bellingham has also earned multiple caps for England’s youth teams, showcasing his potential on the international stage. As Sunderland prepare for their crucial encounter against Cardiff City, the young midfielder will be eager to step up and deliver a standout performance when his team needs him the most.

Cian Ashford (Cardiff)

Cian Ashford, the 20-year-old Welsh prodigy, has risen through the ranks of Cardiff City’s youth academy and now finds himself a vital part of the senior squad. Since his promotion, he has made 24 appearances, finding the back of the net three times.

Ashford has also showcased his talent on the international stage, representing Wales’ U21 side and scoring twice. As Cardiff prepare for a crucial clash against Sunderland AFC, the young midfielder will be eager to inspire his team and push for a much-needed victory.

Match Facts:

• The hosts have a 34% win accuracy over their opponent.
• They have won two in their last five matches.
• Cardiff lost two of their games in the last five matches.

Sunderland AFC vs Cardiff City – Betting Tips and Odds:

• The Black Cats to win the match – 11/20 with bet365
• Bellingham to score first – 13/2 with William Hill
• Sunderland AFC 1-0 Cardiff City – 11/2 with PaddyPower

Injuries and Team News:

Sunderland will most likely miss the presence of Niall Huggins and Alan Browne in the upcoming match.

For Cardiff, Aaron Ramsey is set to miss the upcoming game.

Head To Head stats:

Total matches – 65

Sunderland won – 23

Cardiff won – 26

Matches drawn – 16

Predicted Lineup:

Sunderland predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):

Patterson (GK); Hume, Mepham, O’Nien, Hjelde; Browne, Neil; Roberts, Bellingham, Mundle; Mayenda

Cardiff predicted lineup (3-1-4-2):

Horvath (GK); Ng, Goutas, Bagan; Chambers; Rinomhota, O’Dowda, Robertson, Mannsverk, Salech, Ashford

Match Prediction:

Except that recent disappointment against Hull, Sunderland have fared well recently. We expect the home side to settle for a narrow win over the Welsh outfit in the next game.

Prediction: Sunderland AFC 1-0 Cardiff City

Telecast Details:

India – FanCode

UK – Sky Sports Football

US – CBS Sports Network, Paramount+

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