Sunderland Vs Cardiff Preview, Prediction, Team News And Predicted Lineups

Here at SportsCasting, we have the Sunderland vs Cardiff preview, prediction, latest team news and predicted lineups ahead of Saturday’s clash. 

Sunderland Vs Cardiff Preview

Sunderland are looking for a second successive Championship win after beating Sheffield Wednesday last time out. Eliezer Mayenda scored both goals at Hillsborough in the 2-1 win.

That victory has just about kept the Black Cats hopes of automatic promotion alive. As it stands, the Mackems are eight points adrift of second spot.

Looking behind them, Regis Le Bris’ side are a healthy 13 points clear of seventh-placed Bristol City. With that in mind, they are set for the playoffs at worst.

Catching Leeds, Sheffield United and Burnley seems a tall order but a strong end to the season will put plenty of pressure on the trio.

It’s been eight years since the club last played Premier League football. A win on Saturday will definitely keep them on track to reach the promised land.

⚽️ O'Nien 18'
⚽️ Clarke 89'

Our opening day victory at the Bluebirds 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿⏪ pic.twitter.com/S6PdjkAxYc

— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) March 7, 2025

Cardiff lost the reverse fixture 2-0 on the opening day of the season and will want to thwart their opponents promotion push on Saturday.

The Bluebirds are aiming to get back to winning ways after defeat against Burnley during the week. Despite the loss, the Welsh side did manage to beat James Trafford for just the tenth time in 35 games.

Going into the final 11 games of the season, Omer Riza’s men are just one place above the drop zone. However, City do have a five-point cushion over 22nd-placed Luton.

Riza and his side know just how vital it is to keep their heads above water. ittedly, many neutrals were expecting the Blues to be higher up the table at this stage of the 2024/25 campaign.

Ahead of the game, the best football betting sites in the UK make Sunderland the 4/7 favourites. Cardiff can be backed at 11/2 with the draw 10/3.

Sunderland Vs Cardiff Team News

Dan Ballard, Aji Alese, Ahmed Abdullahi, Niall Huggins, Jayden Danns and Enzo Le Fee are all missing for Sunderland. The same applies to Ian Poveda who was injured prior to the Sheffield Wednesday win.

Having been ruled out since December, Tommy Watson is expected to be included in the matchday squad. The winger could be afforded some valuable minutes late on at the SoL.

From Cardiff‘s perspective, Jak Alnwick, Ollie Tanner, David Turnbull, Jesper Daland, Yakou Meite and Joe Ralls will all be absent. So to will Andy Rinomhota.

Will Alves is set for a place on the bench after issing the defeats to Burnley, Aston Villa and victory over Hull. Winter addition Yousef Salech is expected to start again after scoring against the Clarets on Tuesday.

Heading to the North East this weekend 🔜#CityAsOne pic.twitter.com/3IFRES6xQj

— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) March 6, 2025

Sunderland Vs Cardiff Predicted Lineups

Sunderland (4-2-3-1): Patterson; Hume, Mepham, O’Nien, Hjelde; Bellingham, Neil; Roberts, Rigg, Mundle; Mayenda

Cardiff (4-4-2): Horvath; Fish, Goutas, Bagan; Ng, Colwill, Chambers, Mannsverk, O’Dowda; Ashford, Salech

Sunderland Vs Cardiff Prediction

Interestingly, seven of the last eight meetings between Sunderland and Cardiff have failed to see both sides to score. With that in mind, the law of averages suggests that could change this weekend.

Especially as the last six consecutive meetings have been won to nil. Therefore, we are going to back a glut of goals at the Stadium of Light with the Black Cats just edging it.

Prediction: Sunderland 3-2 Cardiff