Cardiff v Swansea: Swans can show their extra class

Move over Tom Jones and tell Shirley Bassey the news, derby day in Wales is upon us and the first ever top flight meeting between Cardiff City and Swansea City promises to be as fiery as the Welsh dragon itself.

But forget all the passion on the pitch and from the stands (God help the police with this 4pm kick-off), it must be remembered that Swansea are the better side – and they should be backed at 13/10 to prove exactly why.

Swansea have been somewhat up and down so far this season as they come to terms with teams wising up to their style, not to mention the rigours of the Europa League, but they are the classier outfit by some distance and are the shout over out-of-sorts Cardiff at 2/1 and the draw at 12/5.

Michael Laudrup’s side have already won twice on the road in the league this season (as well as at Valencia in Europe) and have conceded just three goals in four away trips. The Swans boast three wins and a draw in matches against the bottom half.

Cardiff owner Vincent Tan is doing the hitherto impossible and making Mike Ashley look like the very model of reasoned ownership, and it is obvious all is not well at the Cardiff City Stadium. But aside from Tan’s eccentricities, Malkay Mackay’s side are not in good form: the (red) Bluebirds have won just one of their last eight matches in league and cup, a last-gasp victory over struggling Fulham.

They have kept just two clean sheets in their nine Premier League fixtures, and have conceded at least two goals in four of their matches. It was thought Cardiff’s home form would keep them up, but just one point from the last nine is poor and with the Bluebirds having won just two of the last 11 meetings with their Welsh foes, Laudrup’s men have to be the preference.

When Swansea play well, Michu is inevitably at the centre of things so with six goals to his name in all competitions this season, the 7/4 the Spaniard nets is well worth consideration. The Michu/Swansea wincast is also a very tempting 10/3.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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