CARDIFF go into Tuesday's Carling Cup semi-final at Crystal Palace hot favourites to reach the Final but they may have to settle for a first-leg draw at Selhurst Park.
The all-Championship showdown looks close to call but I'd slightly favour the Welsh who have been more impressive in the league so far this season.
The Welsh side are a best 8-13 (various) to knock out their Championship rivals and 8-5 at Paddy Power at Selhurst Park.
Palace, with their injury problems easing, are strong at home and I'll be on Betfred's 23-10 for the sides to be all square going into the clash in Wales. To qualify you can have Palace at 13-10 with bet365.
The Eagles’ home matches this season have produced an average of just 1.5 goals and with the first legs usually tight affairs I'd take under 2.5 goals at 4-6 with Skybet. A 0-0 is possible but 1-1 at 6-1 with Ladbrokes more likely.
If it's cagey William Hill's 23-20 on the opening goal coming after 31 minutes is worth a look.
Kenny Miller's been sharp for the Welsh and the Scotland star is 2-1 at bet365 and Coral to score.
On the Carling Cup outrights City are 9-10 favourites at sportingbet with Liverpool a best
15-8 at Chandler. William Hill go 9-1 Cardiff and you can get 12-1 almost everywhere on Palace.
There are a couple of other games in England with Sheffield United best bets at home to Yeovil. The Blades have won five of their last six and are a biggest 4-9 with William Hill.
A victory will put United second while Yeovil are struggling in the relegation zone. An emphatic home win is on the cards so consider the Blades minus one at 5-4 with Coral and they could even cover the two-goal handicap at 3-1 with Coral.
Ched Evans has netted in eight of his last 10 games and is 3-1 with bet365 to break the deadlock.
Hereford v Bristol Rovers is a meeting of two strugglers in League Two. Rovers have lost five in a row but gave Aston Villa a decent game in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Managerless Rovers lost 3-1 after missing a last-minute penalty but the confidence of a better display must give them hope for the visit to Hereford who are two points behind them having lost eight games on their own patch.
If I was to have one bet on this it would be both teams to score at 8-13 (various). However, Rovers at 11-5 with the likes of Ladbrokes and bet365 and could nick the points.
Swindon will be popular pick at Barnet but it's one I'd leave alone until I saw Paolo di Canio's line-up. The Italian must be tempted to rest many of the players who put in a tremendous effort to beat Premier League Wigan in the FA Cup at the weekend.
And with the FA Cup and promotion the main aims, how much emphasis is the gaffer putting on this Johnstone's Trophy tie even with a Wembley spot up for grabs.
Swindon are 11-10 with the likes of William Hill and Ladbrokes with Barnet a best 11-4 at the likes of William Hill, bet365 and Chandler. However, a first-leg draw which sets them up to finish off business at home could be the call at 12-5 with Ladbrokes and Chandler.
Recommendations
C Palace v Cardiff
(23-10, Ladbrokes)
Sheff Utd -1
(5-4, Coral)
In December 2020 we sadly 
