BBC PUNDIT SAYS CARDIFF STILL HAVE 'BIG CHANCE' TO STAY UP

BBC pundit tells despairing Cardiff City fans there is 'still a big chance' Bluebirds will stay up
By Paul Abbandonato


Monday 8th April 2019


Cardiff City fans have been told there is still "a big chance" they will stay in the Premier League.

Many Bluebirds supporters have written off the prospects of avoiding relegation after rivals Burnley triumphed 3-1 at Bournemouth to soar eight points clear of Neil Warnock's side.


The Burnley win was a bitter blow for Cardiff, because the Clarets' remaining games sees them with the toughest run-in of the teams down at the bottom.

With fixtures running out fast, Cardiff remain five points adrift in the last relegation position, with Southampton and Brighton seemingly the new teams they need to seek to overhaul.

But as Saturday's Burnley drama was unfolding, BBC Final Score pundit Jonathan Walters offered Cardiff fans fresh hope.

He remains adamant they can still pull off the Great Escape in their closing six matches away to Burnley, Brighton, Fulham and Manchester United, and at home to Liverpool and Crystal Palace.


Walters' comments appeared to bemuse fellow pundit Paul Ince, the former Manchester United and Liverpool star, but they clearly delighted Cardiff City supporting Final Score host Jason Mohammad who smiled: "You can come back, sign him up next week!"

Explaining his Bluebirds logic, Walters pointed out: "One thing I said at the start of the season was that out of the three teams that came up Cardiff have an identity.

"Fulham have changed theirs, Cardiff have stuck to it throughout the season.

"And when a team that comes up have that stick with it identity, don't try and change it, every single Cardiff player knows how to play and what to do in a game.

"When you go away from that it's difficult, so Cardiff have got a big chance."


Fulham have already been relegated with Huddersfield, despite spending £100m on summer transfers.

Although Cardiff brought in new signings, they have stuck rigidly to the Warnock work ethic ethos and no frills style of play at the back.

Because Burnley's win meant they were pulling clear, Ince quizzed Walters: "So, who's the third team?"

Walters replied: "Well, Southampton and Brighton are on 33 points as well."

Ince: "So you're saying Cardiff are going to stay up?"

Walters: "I'm saying they've got a big chance."


Walters' optimism will give a fresh fillip to Cardiff's fans, who would have been left demoralised by Burnley's slightly unexpected win away to Bournemouth.

It was a priceless three points for Sean Dyche's side, who meet Cardiff next at Turf Moor on Saturday.

The Bluebirds were banking upon victory in that to close the gap, knowing Burnley's final four games are against Chelsea, Manchester City, Everton and Arsenal.


Cardiff still need to win at Turf Moor, but with Burnley having moved onto 36 points it seems Southampton and Brighton are the new targets to overtake.

Brighton have a game in hand on Cardiff, but they have to meet Chelsea, Tottenham, Man City and Arsenal in their run-in, as well as Wolves away.


Their home clash with the Bluebirds down on the south-coast on April 16 has become pivotal to the two sides.

Given that comes three days after the Bluebirds have played at Burnley, those two fixtures can be classed as season-defining fixtures for Cardiff.

Newcastle are also not yet out of the mix. They are on 35 points, having lost at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

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He makes a good point there. Always liked him and said ages ago he would have suited us well.

While there are still enough points available there is always a chance. I think "big chance" is stretching the optimism a bit far, I think "outside chance" would be more realistic.

we are HUGE favs to be the 3rd relegated club with all the bookies between 1/10 and 1/14

to say big chance is pushing it a bit

I've just done my predictions on this:

https://www.worldfootball.net/table_cal ... er-league/

I think it's vital we beat Burnley then Brighton, and then I think we 'only' need 4 points from Palace and Fulham to give us 38 points. By my predictions Burnley and Brighton will both end up on 37 points (as long as we beat them)

There is still hope!!

we are HUGE favs to be the 3rd relegated club with all the bookies between 1/10 and 1/14

to say big chance is pushing it a bit

Agree with the above, possible but slim chance now, this will change to a good chance if we beat Burnley and Brighton !!!

If we can beat Burnley it's quite possible looking at their remaining fixtures that they might struggle to get a further single point.

Even if we don't beat Burnley, we could go 2 points behind Brighton if we beat them on Tuesday night.

Don't get me wrong, 6 points is what we really need from Burnley/Brighton, but I'd take 4 if you offered them to me now - Keeps us in the hunt!

The way Bournemouth played against Burnley (or didn't play)they may have a big say in things as they still have to play Brighton and Southampton, but as they are South coast derbys ,they might show a little more fight.
Our next 3 games , if we can get 7 points , I think we will stay up. But that is going to be very difficult.

As long as there are points to be gained / played for - there is always a chance .