Cardiff striker Kenneth Zohore celebrates

Derby v Cardiff: Free Sky Bet Championship preview and betting tips

09:49 · WED April 25, 2018

George Pitts is backing plenty of goals with a victory for Cardiff, in Tuesday's much-anticipated clash at Pride Park.

Sky Bet Championship recommended bets

2pts Cardiff to win and BTTS at 9/2

1pt Callum Paterson to score anytime at 4/1

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

Derby v Cardiff (Sky Sports Football, 1945 BST)

It is crunch time in the Sky Bet Championship, and we have a tasty clash between Derby and Cardiff to look forward to on Tuesday evening.

There are many sub-plots to this fixture, none more so than the fact it was rearranged after ‘snow-gate’ last month.

Bluebirds boss Neil Warnock was left fuming, with his squad already en route to the midday kick-off, as Derby called the game off due to heavy snowfall, citing the safety of supporters as a key factor.

"It's a disgrace, quite frankly,” Warnock told Sky Sports after the cancellation.

"I am sorry, I can't accept that today - it's not safe? We have come out from the middle of the countryside in the coach and the roads have been perfectly all right, so I just don't know where they are coming from with this. It leaves a sour taste for all the people that have travelled."

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A lot of back-and-forthing ensued, with statements from both clubs as well as the EFL, while Cardiff captain Sean Morrison was forced to apologise after a video was leaked of the defender allegedly taunting some Derby players.

With the match now taking place this evening, Warnock has played down the bad blood while Rowett has joked about it potentially being off again.

The former Birmingham boss said: "Neil Warnock's created a bit of needle, hasn't he? I don't think anyone else has tried to stoke it up, but that's fine, I've got no problem with that, that's his management style.

"He's always been quite abrasive in that sense, but I still really like him, think he's still a good guy, he's still done a fantastic job - it's all a bit panto at times, isn't it? Because that's the way it all is.

"My only concern is that I have come in and it is really, really cold outside, I am worrying that the weather might take a turn for the worse this evening. I have shorts on, but I was absolutely freezing walking to the press conference this morning. Let's hope it's okay."

Derby's Matej Vydra

What both managers will agree on is the magnitude of the Pride Park meeting.

Second-placed Cardiff are in the driving seat and in control of their own destiny. Two wins from their final three Sky Bet Championship matches will secure automatic promotion ahead of the likes of Fulham and Aston Villa, and they are 13/8 favourites on the night.

Derby, 19/10 to get the win, are seventh with the play-offs very much to play for. If they win this game in-hand, they will leapfrog Millwall and bolster their chances of a top-six finish with two games to go.

It is hard to look past Cardiff for this match, though, with Warnock’s men stepping up when it counts on most occasions this season.

An away win with BTTS at 9/2 looks like great value, as does City scoring first at around evens, while Cardiff to win 2-1, price boosted by Sky Bet to 11/1, could be worth a small stake in this must-win clash.

In our preview for the previous game, we backed Callum Paterson, who was on a great run of form, to score. He has netted once more since then and we are backing the Scottish international to bag his tenth goal of the season (anytime at 4/1) to cap off a fine campaign after a change of position under Warnock.

Prediction: Derby 1-3 Cardiff (Sky Bet odds 20/1)

Best bet: Cardiff to win and BTTS at 9/2

Alternative: Callum Paterson to score anytime at 4/1

Odds correct as of 1500 BST on 24/04/18