With just over one week remaining until the English football season gets underway, Cardiff City will round off their pre-season preparations with what promises to be an intriguing friendly match against Premier League opposition in the shape of Newcastle United.
The Championship club certainly had an eventful season last term, losing to Liverpool in the final of the Carling Cup before going on to experience the heartache of defeat in the Championship play-off semi-finals against West Ham United.
The Bluebirds go into the season with plenty of optimism and can be backed at 13/5 (3.40) with Paddy Power to pick up a confidence-boosting win over the Magpies this weekend.
Newcastle, though, will be keen to secure a positive result ahead of their Premier League curtain-raiser against Tottenham Hotspur and Alan Pardew’s men can be backed at 10/11 (1.91) with Paddy Power to achieve that aim while the same firm go 5/2 (3.50) that the match ends in a stalemate.
Cardiff have enjoyed successive victories against Cheltenham Town, Oxford United and Bournemouth but this represents a tougher test for Malky Mackay’s men. 
The Bluebirds, though, proved in last season’s Carling Cup final that they will not be intimidated by their Premier League opponents and the even money (2.0) quote from Paddy Power for fewer than three goals to be scored here carries plenty of appeal should the Championship club show their mettle.
A 1-0 win for the Bluebirds is chalked up at 11/1 (12.0) with Paddy Power while the same firm offer a massive 20/1 (21.0) quote for a 2-0 win for the hosts.
Newcastle United have plenty of quality in their ranks and Pardew’s men will be keen to put down a marker before they get their Premier League campaign gets under way next weekend and the 17/2 (9.50) quote for a 2-0 win for the visitors is the value selection here.
| BET |
OF THE |
DAY |
| BEST BET |
VALUE BET |
| Newcastle United at 10/11 (1.91) with Paddy Power |
Newcastle United to win 2-0 at 17/2 (9.50) with Paddy Power |
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Willie Duncan is a freelance sports journalist. Willie, from Edinburgh, has covered Scottish football for over 10 years and he specialises in football betting markets from across Europe. You can also follow Willie on Twitter
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