Cardiff City are the hottest team in the Championship and automatic promotion looks likely with nine matches to go. The Blue Birds are undefeated in their last 11 games, and after a midseason dip in which the team lost four straight fixtures, Neil Warnock's men have come alive.
Cardiff host Burton Albion on Good Friday and the Blue Birds are set to do the double over their rivals this term, pushing their home wins total to 15.
Burton are in disarray as the Brewers sit 23rd in the Championship. The team has secured just 30 points from a possible 114. However, the good news is Nigel Clough's men are just three points away from safety. The team's form is atrocious as the Brewers have pick up one win in their last 12 fixtures. It is a run that has seen them cemented in the bottom three. The only positive has been the poor performances of the teams around them, which has given Burton a lifeline.
Burton have scored the fewest goals this season (27) as the team manage just 0.7 strikes per game. In front of goal Burton have lacked conviction and the team only manages 8.1 shots per game. Leading scorer Lloyd Dyer has tallied six goals, but the team's reliance on a 35-year-old shows a lack of youthful quality being brought into the side by Clough.
While Burton have struggled in front of goal, Cardiff have tallied the fourth most scores this term. The team has scored 58 times and recorded a +27-goal difference. Callum Paterson and Junior Hoilett lead the way in scoring with eight goals apiece.
Cardiff will get a major boost this weekend as midfielder Aron Gunnarsson will return from injury. The Icelandic international has missed the last four months. Gunnarsson suffered an ankle injury in November and will finally be included in Warnock's side this week. It is expected the powerful midfielder will be used as a substitute as Gunarsson's fitness returns.
Cardiff's promotion to the Premier League is in their hands. If the team continues playing well, the Blue Birds will earn promotion back to the top-flight. However, any slip ups in the next nine fixtures, and Cardiff could find themselves in the playoffs.
In five all-time meetings between Cardiff and Burton, the Blue Birds have won three times. Friday's fixture will end with another Cardiff win, and the pressure on Clough to get Burton out of the relegation zone will increase.