Ladbrokes offer chance to punt on Cardiff’s Premier League fate

After a 3-0 victory over fellow promotion hopefuls Nottingham Forest put Cardiff within a point of the Premier League, Ladbrokes are offering a number of specials regarding Malky Mackay’s side’s top-flight achievements.

And with Swansea set to remain in England’s highest division, the Bluebirds have the chance to create some history opposite their fiercest rivals.

That being the opportunity to complete a league double over the Swans, a feat they have never accomplished in their entire 114-year history.

It is 8/1 that they end that hoodoo next term, in a campaign that will represent the English Premier League’s first ever to feature two Welsh sides, if, as expected, Cardiff do clinch promotion.

To ensure that they do, a solitary draw is needed from home clashes with Charlton and Bolton, and trips to Burnley and Hull, whilst two more victories would all but confirm their status as Championship champions.

Even the most ardent of Bluebirds supporters are unlikely to fancy Mackay’s charges to clinch back-to-back titles in England’s second and then top tier, but those who do can have 5000/1 that Cardiff are crowned Premier League champions next year.

But more realistic followers of the Cardiff City Stadium outfit may fancy the 6/1 that their debut Premier League campaign reaps a top-half finish.

Rivals Swansea missed out on achieving that feat only by means of goal difference last season, whilst they look primed for a top-10 spot this term.

However, Ladbrokes give most credence to the possibility of Cardiff suffering immediate relegation from the top flight, attributing them a 5/4 price to go straight back down next season.

The fact that Reading appear doomed this term is a negative omen for Bluebirds fans, but if they are to be relegated, they will become the first Championship-winning side make an immediate return to the second tier since West Brom four years ago.

And as Cardiff would become only the fourth Championship winners to go straight back down since the second division’s current format originated, they may be best avoided to suffer relegation at 5/4.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.