Cardiffvs.Oxford Utd

The Bluebirds are in a perilous position in 23rd place in the standings, while the U's are sitting five points above the drop zone in 19th spot.

Match preview

Cardiff are at risk of dropping into the third tier for the first time since 2002-03 after winning just one of their last nine matches (D3, L5).

In fact, the Bluebirds have failed to win any of their last five matches, playing out three consecutive draws before suffering back-to-back defeats.

They fell to a narrow 1-0 home loss against Stoke City, before they lost 2-0 to promotion-chasing Sheffield United in Friday's away clash.

The defeat at Bramall Lane ultimately proved to be Omer Riza's final game in charge after Cardiff announced his dismissal on Saturday, and the subsequent appointment of experienced midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who will take caretaker charge until the end of the season.

Ramsey takes over a team that are languishing in the relegation zone and one point adrift of safety with three games left to play against Oxford, West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City.

The 34-year-old will be desperate to make a positive impact in his first game as manager, but that will be easier said than done, given the fact that Cardiff have lost three of their previous four home matches.

Oxford are in a stronger position than their opponents, although they still have work to do to secure mathematical safety and avoid an immediate return to League One.

Having collected 48 points from 42 matches, the U's enjoy a five-point buffer to the drop zone with three fixtures left to play against Cardiff, Sunderland and Swansea City.

The U's will head into Monday's contest on the back of a narrow defeat against promotion hopefuls Leeds United on Good Friday.

Manor Solomon's first-half effort proved enough to condemn Oxford to consecutive home defeats, representing their fourth loss in six outings at the Kassam Stadium.

Oxford will now turn their focus to Monday's road trip, and while they have won just one of their last 11 away league games (D5, L5), that solitary win took place in their most recent away match against Sheffield Wednesday.

They now have the chance to win back-to-back Championship away games for the first time this season, although they have won just one of their previous 13 away league matches that have taken place on Easter Monday (D6, L6).

Cardiff City Championship form:

W

D

D

D

L

L

Oxford United Championship form:

W

L

W

L

W

L

Team News

Ramsey has missed Cardiff's last six matches through injury, but while he will not be playing on Monday, he will do his best to impact the game from the touchline.

The 34-year-old is unable to call upon Jak Alnwick, Isaak Davies and Joe Ralls, with the latter set to assist Ramsey in his coaching duties.

Defender Perry Ng is a major doubt for the home fixture after he sat out the defeat to Sheffield United due to an injury issue.

As for the visitors, Siriki Dembele will miss the final three games of the season after he picked up a hamstring injury in training ahead of Friday's defeat to Leeds.

Ciaron Brown has already been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign, while Elliott Moore remains an injury doubt due to a hamstring problem.

Defender Hidde ter Avest is hoping to prove his fitness in time after missing the last two matches with a head injury.

Cardiff City possible starting lineup:

Horvath; Rinomhota, Fish, Chambers, O'Dowda; Robertson, Mannsverk; Ashford, Alves, Willock; Salech

Oxford United possible starting lineup:

Cumming; Ter Avest, Helik, Nelson, Bennett; Brannagan, Vaulks; Placheta, Matos; Goodrham; Harris

We say: Cardiff City 2-1 Oxford United

Written by

Ben Sully

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