Rotherham United find themselves second from bottom in the Championship table as they prepare for an away fixture against Cardiff City on Saturday.
Key Takeaways
- Rotherham have managed to win just one of their eight Championship games this season
- Cardiff have won each of their last three league outings, keeping two clean sheets
- The Bluebirds were thrashed 5-2 by Blackburn Rovers in the EFL Cup on Wednesday
We may only be eight games into the Championship season, but seventh-placed Cardiff already hold an eight-point lead over 23rd-placed Rotherham. Accordingly, the hosts are heavy favourites to claim all three points this weekend.
Cardiff City Form
The Bluebirds have been building momentum in the league, with four victories coming in their previous five matches. Following a win against Sheffield United, Erol Bulut’s men secured successive victories over Swansea City, Coventry City and Sunderland.
However, Cardiff’s progress was halted as they suffered a 5-2 thrashing at the hands of Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday, bowing out of the EFL Cup in the third round. Thankfully, a home fixture against struggling Rotherham provides Cardiff with the ideal opportunity to return to winning ways.
Rotherham United Form
After taking one point from their opening four Championship matches, Rotherham claimed a shock 2-1 victory over Norwich City. Since then, however, the Millers have recorded one draw and two losses in the league, leaving them second from bottom in the table.
When you look at the bigger picture, Matt Taylor’s men have managed to win just two of their 10 games across all competitions this season, suffering six defeats in the process. To make matters worse, Rotherham possess the poorest defensive record in the Championship.
Head-to-Head
Cardiff did the double over Rotherham last season, claiming a 1-0 victory on home soil before securing a 2-1 triumph in South Yorkshire. As a result, the Bluebirds have won five of their previous six meetings with the Millers.
Team News
Nottingham Forest loanee Josh Bowler has missed the past seven matches with a calf injury, while Cardiff are still without midfielder Callum O’Dowda due to a leg issue.
On the flip side, Rotherham’s lengthy injury list contains Cafu, Shane Ferguson, Grant Hall, Jamie Lindsay, Sean Morrison and Lee Peltier.
Key Players
21-year-old striker Kion Etete has scored four goals in nine appearances for Cardiff this season, while Ryan Wintle and Rubin Colwill have each bagged two goals and two assists. Plus, Aaron Ramsey has chipped in with three goals from midfield.
As for Rotherham, Jordan Hugill, Fred Onyedinma and Hakeem Odoffin are the only players to have scored twice this term, with Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Dexter Lembiksia contributing one goal from right-back.
Final Thoughts
While Cardiff have won four of their last five Championship games, Rotherham have managed to win just one of their eight league outings this season. With that in mind, all the signs point towards a routine home victory in South Wales.
Championship