Cardiff, in third, welcome leaders Wolves to Wales in a game between two sides likely to be challenging for promotion at the end of the season.

Cardiff have started the season well, but have had problems winning games. They are 6-7-1 for the season and are unbeaten in 6 since losing to the team currently second, Birmingham.

Cardiff have been a tight team this season, scoring just 18 and conceding just 11 in their 14 league games and they are yet to score three goals in a games.

Ross McCormack is the league's top scorer with 10 goals and he should be a threat for the Bluebirds coming into this game.

Cardiff, though, did show some determination in midweek and it may be a sign their form is improving. They were looking set for a goalless deadlock against Blackpool before a goal in the 84th minute helped them to a 2-0 win, and given their form so far this season, that should be seen as two points gained.

Wolves, on the other hand, have been involved in games with lots of goals, themselves hitting 33 and conceding 22, a defensive record that's the worst of any side in teh top 14.

Wolves lost the last time they were in Wales, a 1-2 defeat at Swansea earlier in the season, and McCarthy's team have already lost 3 in total this season.

Whilst Wolves lie top, it should be said they have remarkably only played one game of 14 so far against a side currently in the top seven, and they lost that game 0-3 at Reading.

Match Betting Previews 1-3 November 2008 >>> Premiership: Chelsea v Sunderland - Everton v Fulham - Man United v Hull - Middlesbrough v West Ham - Portsmouth v Wigan - Stoke v Arsenal - Spurs v Liverpool - WBA v Blackburn - Bolton v Man City - Newcastle v Aston Villa Championship: Cardiff v Wolves La Liga: Malaga v Barcelona - Valencia v Racing - Almeria v Real Madrid Serie A: Juventus v AS Roma - Reggina v Inter - Milan v Napoli Ligue 1: Nancy v Bordeaux - Lyon v Le Mans Bundesliga: Werder v Hertha - Bayern v Arminia

They are a difficult side to back; the volatile nature of their games, in terms of goals, saw them lose 2-5 at an average Norwich team, but they are also capable of outscoring the opposition and it's that that's seen them top the table.

However, this approach is starting to go against them and they have now lost three of their last six and they are now starting to look hit and miss.

They have the squad to sort this out, but until they settle down a bit, Cardiff look to have more reliability than the visitors.

Cardiff have won at home four times but these have been all against sides in the bottom half.

The draw may tempt some punters, but with Cardiff looking more pragmatic and Wolves more naive in their approach, Cardiff do look a decent price to inflict McCarthy's fourth defeat in seven games.

BETZINE UK TIP *****

Bet: Cardiff to win Odds: $2.60 Stake: 4pts Bookies: Victor Chandler

Match Betting Previews 1-3 November 2008 >>> Premiership: Chelsea v Sunderland - Everton v Fulham - Man United v Hull - Middlesbrough v West Ham - Portsmouth v Wigan - Stoke v Arsenal - Spurs v Liverpool - WBA v Blackburn - Bolton v Man City - Newcastle v Aston Villa Championship: Cardiff v Wolves La Liga: Malaga v Barcelona - Valencia v Racing - Almeria v Real Madrid Serie A: Juventus v AS Roma - Reggina v Inter - Milan v Napoli Ligue 1: Nancy v Bordeaux - Lyon v Le Mans Bundesliga: Werder v Hertha - Bayern v Arminia