The matches that will decide our play-off destiny
Sun Apr 03, 2016 11:26 am
Cardiff City for the Premier League? The matches that will decide the Bluebirds' play-off destiny
It's looking like a straight shoot-out between Russell Slade's Cardiff and Derby for a Championship play-off spot, so these are the fixtures remaining for the two teams
The significance of Cardiff City's 2-1 victory over Derby County cannot be emphasised enough.
If it wasn't quite win or bust for Russell Slade's team, it was as close to that as you can get with play-off places on the line.
Victory for Derby would have taken them eight points clear of the Bluebirds, a draw would have kept the gap at five points.
Suddenly, as a result of Stuart O'Keefe's winning goal, seventh-placed Cardiff have cut the lead to just two points. Happy days.
With seven matches still to play, it really is game on for the top six.
The top four of Burnley, Middlesbrough, Brighton and Hull are cut and dried.
Sheffield Wednesday, 1-0 victors at Huddersfield, also look a force and should cement their place in the play-offs.
Which probably leaves Cardiff battling it out with Derby for the final spot, underling once more the importance of Saturday's win.
Ipswich and Birmingham can't yet be discounted, but realistically it's Derby who Cardiff will have to usurp if they are to get into the play-offs.
So just how do the remaining fixtures pan out for the two teams? A quick look shows they have an uncanny similarity about them.
Derby have the advantage of four home games left, as opposed to Cardiff's three. But they have a slightly tougher final three games... and the momentum is with Slade's men.
TUESDAY NIGHT:
Burnley v Cardiff
Derby v Hull
Cardiff will regard anything gained from Turf Moor against the leaders as a bonus. Derby meet fourth-placed Hull, the first of back-to-back Pride Park games, when the pressure will be on to deliver.
SATURDAY APRIL 9
Fulham v Cardiff
Derby v Bolton
From the top four to the bottom four the symmetry continues. The Bluebirds travel to Craven Cottage to take on a Fulham side desperate for points themselves. Derby host doomed Bolton and should win.
SATURDAY APRIL 16
Cardiff v QPR
Charlton v Derby
Eleventh-placed QPR are top of the teams who have nothing left to play for this season. They're there for the taking. Charlton are poor, but desperately need points and it won't be easy for Derby at The Valley.
TUESDAY APRIL 19
Brentford v Cardiff
Bristol City v Derby
The symmetry continues as the two teams go away to face sides still needing points to secure Championship football next season. Brentford, 17th, probably need One more win. Bristol City, in 19th, perhaps need Two.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/foot ... s-11130343?
It's looking like a straight shoot-out between Russell Slade's Cardiff and Derby for a Championship play-off spot, so these are the fixtures remaining for the two teams
The significance of Cardiff City's 2-1 victory over Derby County cannot be emphasised enough.
If it wasn't quite win or bust for Russell Slade's team, it was as close to that as you can get with play-off places on the line.
Victory for Derby would have taken them eight points clear of the Bluebirds, a draw would have kept the gap at five points.
Suddenly, as a result of Stuart O'Keefe's winning goal, seventh-placed Cardiff have cut the lead to just two points. Happy days.
With seven matches still to play, it really is game on for the top six.
The top four of Burnley, Middlesbrough, Brighton and Hull are cut and dried.
Sheffield Wednesday, 1-0 victors at Huddersfield, also look a force and should cement their place in the play-offs.
Which probably leaves Cardiff battling it out with Derby for the final spot, underling once more the importance of Saturday's win.
Ipswich and Birmingham can't yet be discounted, but realistically it's Derby who Cardiff will have to usurp if they are to get into the play-offs.
So just how do the remaining fixtures pan out for the two teams? A quick look shows they have an uncanny similarity about them.
Derby have the advantage of four home games left, as opposed to Cardiff's three. But they have a slightly tougher final three games... and the momentum is with Slade's men.
TUESDAY NIGHT:
Burnley v Cardiff
Derby v Hull
Cardiff will regard anything gained from Turf Moor against the leaders as a bonus. Derby meet fourth-placed Hull, the first of back-to-back Pride Park games, when the pressure will be on to deliver.
SATURDAY APRIL 9
Fulham v Cardiff
Derby v Bolton
From the top four to the bottom four the symmetry continues. The Bluebirds travel to Craven Cottage to take on a Fulham side desperate for points themselves. Derby host doomed Bolton and should win.
SATURDAY APRIL 16
Cardiff v QPR
Charlton v Derby
Eleventh-placed QPR are top of the teams who have nothing left to play for this season. They're there for the taking. Charlton are poor, but desperately need points and it won't be easy for Derby at The Valley.
TUESDAY APRIL 19
Brentford v Cardiff
Bristol City v Derby
The symmetry continues as the two teams go away to face sides still needing points to secure Championship football next season. Brentford, 17th, probably need One more win. Bristol City, in 19th, perhaps need Two.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/foot ... s-11130343?
Re: The matches that will decide our play-off destiny
Sun Apr 03, 2016 1:14 pm
Derby to do a Cardiff, and fall away at the end of the season, having been in the top six almost all year, they are not a team, I think we'll make it 
Re: The matches that will decide our play-off destiny
Mon Apr 04, 2016 6:43 pm
We really need to win them all. Trouble is I dont think we got the nerve to do it. I think this season will be a step too far, but given all the stupid points we thrown away this year its not surprising.