The Premier League continues this weekend and on Sunday we have a fixture between two teams battling at the wrong end of the table.
Cardiff City welcome Burnley to the Cardiff City Stadium, with both teams knowing how crucial this match is to their season. Cardiff start the weekend in the relegation zone while Burnley are just three places above them in the league table.
A win for either team would be huge and the pressure is on for both to deliver.
Cardiff come into the match still searching for their first win in the Premier League. Of all their games played this season, this match presents the best opportunity they have to pick up maximum points.
Trends show Cardiff have lost each of their four games in all competitions and have yet to pick up a win in the Premier League having played six matches. Their only points so far in this campaign have come via a draw at home to Newcastle United and away to Huddersfield Town. Both games ended 0-0 and Cardiff have a problem balancing defence and attack.
In the games they have pushed forward in search of goals they have conceded plenty at the other end of the pitch. Including the League Cup game against Norwich, Cardiff have conceded 15 goals in their last four games, which is a poor record.
Cardiff have lost three and drawn one of their four home matches in all competitions this season, conceding 11 and scoring 3 goals.
Burnley picked up their first win of the season last weekend as they produced a good 4-0 win over high-flying Bournemouth. Sean Dyche was delighted to get his first Premier League win under his belt this season and will be hoping it is the first of many.
However, form has been bad and trends show Burnley have won only one of their last eighteen games in all competitions. The Clarets have lost six of the last eight and have failed to win a game away from home this season.
In fact, Burnley have lost each of their last four away matches in all competitions, including defeats at newly promoted Fulham and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League. Dyche will want to avoid another defeat against a team who was playing in the Championship last season.
Team news and Cardiff still have three players on the treatment table with Lee Peltier, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, and Aron Gunnarsson all set to miss out. Neil Warnock’s options are limited so the Bluebirds are unlikely to make many changes from last week.
Burnley will travel without defender Ben Gibson and goalkeeper Nick Pope. Robbie Brady is working his way back to fitness but remains doubtful meaning Burnley could line-up with the same starting XI from last weekend.
Given the recent results of Cardiff at home and Burnley away, we should see goals in this game. However, both teams will be keen to avoid losing this one and we could see the points shared.