Cardiffvs.Preston

At a time when the Bluebirds sit in 21st position in the Championship table, the visitors are in 17th place on the back of four consecutive draws.

Match preview

Cardiff's hierarchy finally made a decision on the future of interim head coach Omer Riza last week, handing him a contract until the end of the season.

Although Cardiff currently find themselves on a five-match winless streak, Riza has brought some much-needed stability and consistency on the pitch.

The Welsh giants may only be two points above the relegation zone, yet they sit three points adrift of 16th place with a game in hand having been bottom when Riza was initially appointed as Erol Bulut's successor.

With Cardiff's game with Watford on Saturday being postponed because of Storm Darragh, they have not been in action since earning a 2-2 draw at Coventry City on November 30.

However, despite the unforeseen rest period, Cardiff head into this match having lost their last two home fixtures to Blackburn Rovers and Queens Park Rangers, conceding five goals in the process.

As for Preston, they have now gone nine matches without posting a win in the Championship, a run lasting since October 22.

Nevertheless, seven draws have been recorded during that period to ensure that Paul Heckingbottom's side remain two points clear of the relegation zone.

The most recent of four successive draws came at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, Preston missing out on maximum points courtesy of conceding a 76th-minute leveller at Hillsborough.

With draws having previously been recorded versus Derby County, Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion, though, Heckingbottom will feel that his side are progressing in the right direction.

Cardiff City Championship form:

W

L

L

D

L

D

Preston North End Championship form:

D

L

D

D

D

D

Team News

Riza faces making at least two changes to his Cardiff XI with Manolis Siopis serving a ban and David Turnbull sidelined through injury.

Andy Rinomhota and Rubin Colwill are in line to be recalled as direct replacements in what may prove to be the only alterations.

Ollie Tanner and Chris Willock are options to return in the final third if Riza wishes to make further changes.

Heckingbottom may see no reason to tinker with the Preston side that earned a point at Sheffield Wednesday.

Robbie Brady and Ched Evans remain out of contention, but Milutin Osmajic is now available again after serving his eight-match ban for biting Blackburn Rovers defender Owen Beck.

Cardiff City possible starting lineup:

Alnwick; Ng, Goutas, Chambers, Collins; Rinomhota, Robertson; Meite, Colwill, O'Dowda; Robinson

Preston North End possible starting lineup:

Woodman; Storey, Whatmough, Hughes; Potts, McCann, Thordarson, Kesler-Hayden; Greenwood, Frokjaer-Jensen; Riis

We say: Cardiff City 2-1 Preston North End

Having put together an unbeaten streak, Preston can travel to South Wales with a certain degree of belief. However, we feel that Cardiff's extra rest period will bode them well here, leading us to predict a hard-fought victory for the Bluebirds.

Written by

Darren Plant

Previews by email