Goal-shy Bluebirds may well get mauled on trip to Tigers

A 3-0 win over QPR on Saturday will have come as a relief for Hull as it was their first home win since early October, but they may not have to wait long for another one when Cardiff come to town at the weekend.

The Tigers’ main problem has been too many draws but they are climbing away from the Championship danger zone and their only loss in their last eight second-tier matches was against promotion-chasing Sheffield United.

And Hull have boosted their striking options by signing Aaron Connolly from Brighton.

The Ireland international has lost his way a little over the last 12 months but he scored twice against the Hoops at the weekend and that has to bode well for a successful temporary stay.

Hull should fancy their chances against the Bluebirds, who have not posted a victory since they won at Sunderland on Bonfire Night.

That was nine games ago and something Cardiff will be looking to address when they head to Luton on Tuesday. But they have failed to score in four of their last five Championship outings so it’s difficult to be confident about their chances for their trip to the Tigers.

BRISTOL ROVERS v MK DONS

Bristol Rovers got a surprise when they were thumped 5-1 at Morecambe on Saturday, but there is a good chance they can bounce back when they host MK Dons this weekend.

It was the second successive Lancashire loss for Rovers after they were seen off 2-0 by Accrington in their previous away game but they have been a lot better on their own patch.

They have lost just one of their last seven home matches, which was a 4-3 loss to Exeter when they conceded two goals in the last five minutes.

Three of their last four have been wins, which is not good news for the Dons who are hovering above the League One relegation zone.

They have won two of their last seven games but both of those were against bottom-of-the-table Forest Green and they’ve failed to score in four of their last six so are worth taking on.

PORT VALE v WYCOMBE

Wycombe are pushing for a League One playoff place and they can make more progress towards that goal by taking the points at Port Vale.

The only two teams Wanderers have lost to in their last eight league games have been the top two in the division - Plymouth and Sheffield Wednesday – and they claimed a 3-0 success at Peterborough the last time they were on their travels.

Vale won 2-0 at Argyle at the beginning of December but they have won just twice since and one of those was against struggling Forest Green.

The Potteries club have lost their last two home games against Peterborough and Derby and could be set for another reverse when Wycombe come to town.

COLCHESTER v BARROW

Four wins from their last six games have pulled Colchester away from relegation trouble in League Two and recent victories over Rochdale, Harrogate and Hartlepool have been at the expense of struggling opponents.

A 2-1 win at Pools was their latest success and the Essex boys should be able to build on that by seeing off Barrow.

The Cumbrians came from two goals down to win 3-2 at Mansfield in early January but that is the only victory they have collected in their last nine matches.

That win at Field Mill has been their sole away success since September 17 and this could be another fruitless voyage.

NORTHAMPTON v WALSALL

You hardly ever get a boring season if you support Northampton – they always seem to be in the thick of a promotion or relegation battle.

This time they are gunning for a return to League One and have boosted their confidence by beating promotion rivals Carlisle and leaders Leyton Orient at Sixfields recently.

However, those are the only two of their last seven home league games they have won.

Northampton have a problem seeing off teams they would expect to beat, and that gives Walsall an excellent chance of getting something from their visit on Saturday.

The Saddlers, who lost 1-0 at home to Premier League strugglers Leicester in the FA Cup on Saturday, have won six of their last nine league games.

Admittedly, much of their recent progress has been down to six wins from their last seven league outings at the Bescot Stadium, but victories at Doncaster and Swindon should have boosted their confidence and they are worth getting with on the double-chance market, where punters can collect if the Saddlers triumph or take a point from their trip to Sixfields.