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Sky Bet EFL: Match previews and best bets for fixtures on Wednesday August 21

By Tom Carnduff

Football

Wed August 21, 2019 · 5y ago

The Sky Bet Championship action continues on Wednesday night. Tom Carnduff has selections at 7/2, 7/1 and 10/1 to consider.

Recommended bets

1pt Aden Flint to score anytime in Cardiff v Huddersfield at 10/1

1pt Tommy Smith to be shown a card in Preston v Stoke at 7/2

1pt Sam Clucas to be shown a card in Preston v Stoke at 7/1

For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record

Cardiff v Huddersfield

Aden Flint celebrates his goal against Luton

Two of the relegated sides from the Premier League last season meet after disappointing starts to the campaign.

Cardiff have just one win from three on their tally while Huddersfield are managerless after accumulating just a single point so far.

The Bluebirds were beyond poor in their defeat at Reading. They offered little threat in attack while their defence struggled to keep George Puscas at bay.

The midfield battle was also won by the Royals and Cardiff showed no signs of being a side who lined up alongside England's elite just four months ago.

Given Huddersfield's fortunes though, they can bounce back with victory in front of their own supporters.

11/10 is the general price on a home win which looks decent enough but the value is elsewhere and the appeal is there in the 10/1 available on Aden Flint scoring anytime here.

The centre-back struggled in his season at Middlesbrough but seems to suit what Cardiff want to do. His aerial threat has caused all sorts of problems for defences trying to deal with direct balls into the box from set-piece situations.

His presence in attacking situations is clear in the two shots per game he has posted against both Luton and Wigan - he also netted in their last home outing against the Hatters.

Huddersfield's defence is a mess. They've gifted two of the four goals they've conceded to their opponent and lack serious power in the air. This looks like a game that is set up for Flint to score.

Best bet: Aden Flint to score anytime at 10/1

Opta facts

Cardiff are unbeaten in their last 11 games against Huddersfield in all competitions (W7 D4 L0) since a 0-1 defeat in January 2003.
Last season, both of Cardiff and Huddersfield’s Premier League meetings ended goalless despite 36 shots attempted over the two games.
Cardiff’s 0-3 defeat to Reading last time out was their joint-heaviest league defeat under Neil Warnock outside of the top-flight, having also lost 0-3 to Alex Neil’s Preston in September 2017.
Huddersfield Town have won none of their last 13 league games against Welsh opponents (W0 D5 L8), failing to score in 10 of those games, including each of their last five.
Neil Warnock has only lost two of his 14 league matches against Huddersfield (W8 D4 L2), a club he managed between 1993 and 1995.
Karlan Grant, who has scored each of Huddersfield’s three league goals this season, has netted seven times for the Terriers in league matches since his debut in January 2019; in that time, no other Huddersfield player has managed to score more than one league goal.

Preston v Stoke

Sam Clucas was shown a red card at QPR last season

The Sky Sports main game on Wednesday night comes from Deepdale where Preston take on a Stoke side who have underwhelmed during the opening three games.

They did pick up their first point at the weekend as they were held at home by Derby - although they came within minutes of securing victory.

Preston would have also hoped for a better start, but did get a win as they convincing dispatched of Wigan in their last game at home.

This game is tough to call result-wise, so the value is in other markets. Here, cards should be expected with the referee appointed.

John Brooks can be considered as one of the more stricter officials in the EFL when it comes to cards shown. He produced at least four cards in 60% of his fixtures last season.

He's matching his own average in the current campaign with four yellows in Swansea's opening day victory over Hull.

Therefore, the 'player to be booked' market is worth exploring and two names stick out when it comes to the price available.

The first being Stoke defender Tommy Smith. The right-back has seen discipline as a weak point in recent seasons and already has a yellow on his tally which was picked up in their draw against the Rams - he should be considered with 7/2 available.

If you're after a shorter-priced option then consider Ben Pearson. At a best price of 2/1 though, there's just not enough value on offer.

My eye was caught by the 7/1 out there on Sam Clucas to be booked. He's already seen one yellow this season which came in Stoke's Carabao Cup victory over Wigan.

Again, discipline can be looked towards as a point of weakness - that's despite not having many cards on his tally in recent years.

He'll occupy a spot on the left-side of midfield but as part of a trio, as opposed to sitting out wide. Given the pace that Preston look to attack with, he could be drawn into committing a foul that grabs the attention of the referee.

Best bet: Tommy Smith to be shown a card at 7/2

Best bet: Sam Clucas to be shown a card at 7/1

Opta facts

Preston have won six of their last eight home league games against Stoke (W6 D1 L1).
Stoke have won just one of their last seven league matches against Preston (W1 D3 L3), winning 3-1 in January 2008.
Following a run of just two goals and one win in five league games at Deepdale, Preston have netted 10 times in their last three, winning two and drawing one of those matches.
Since taking charge of Stoke City in January earlier this year, Nathan Jones has failed to see his side score more than once in any of his 12 away matches in all competitions, with the Potters netting once in six games, whilst failing to score in the other six (P12 W2 D5 L5).
Daniel Johnson has been directly involved in three of Preston’s five league goals so far this season, assisting two in their first home game against Wigan, before netting a penalty last time out in their 2-3 defeat to Swansea.
Stoke City have won just one of their last 10 league matches played on a Wednesday (P10 W1 D6 L3), failing to score in eight of those matches (three goals total).