Cardiffvs.Southampton

At a time when the Saints occupy fourth spot in the standings, Cardiff are merely playing for pride with a playoff spot now mathematically impossible.

Match preview

With each of the top three failing to win their previous games, Southampton supporters are becoming increasingly optimistic regarding automatic promotion.

At one stage, that became a distant dream courtesy of a run that featured just three wins in 10 games, but Russell Martin's side have since responded with three victories in succession.

A return to St Mary's has proven key, the Saints posting triumphs over Coventry City, Watford and Preston North End respectively to move within five points of leaders Ipswich Town.

The Tractor Boys and third-placed Leeds United have each played one game more than Southampton, and success on Saturday would keep Southampton's fate in their own hands with Leicester City and Leeds still to come on their schedule.

However, Southampton travel to South Wales having collected just seven points from their last five away fixtures, as well as failing to prevail in their most recent two such games.

From Cardiff's perspective, a solid campaign under Erol Bulut is ending on a frustrating note with promotion now out of the question.

Four defeats in six matches have put paid to that, Cardiff now 12 points adrift of sixth position with just three fixtures remaining.

Bulut has witnessed his team lose successive home fixtures to Sunderland and Hull City respectively, making it nine defeats from their 21 games at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Last time out, Cardiff also suffered defeat on their travels, going down by a 3-1 scoreline to an improved Millwall outfit.

Cardiff City Championship form:

L

L

W

L

W

L

Southampton Championship form:

D

L

D

W

W

W

Team News

Bulut will likely make a number of changes to his Cardiff XI, including potentially handing youngster Cian Ashford a first Championship start.

However, with Southampton a promotion contender, Bulut will still name a strong side, with David Turnbull, Ryan Wintle and Famara Diedhiou more likely to be recalled.

Callum O'Dowda and Aaron Ramsey are among a six-strong injury list for the home side.

Meanwhile, Martin may show preference to selecting the same Southampton starting lineup from the win over Preston having been able to rest players in the second half.

Will Smallbone and Joe Rothwell are alternatives in midfield, but goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu has recently been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Cardiff City possible starting lineup:

Horvath; Ng, Phillips, Goutas, Collins; Ralls, Wintle; Bowler, Colwill, Grant; Diedhiou

Southampton possible starting lineup:

McCarthy; Walker-Peters, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Manning; Aribo, Downes, S.Armstrong; Brooks, Adams, A.Armstrong

We say: Cardiff City 1-2 Southampton

With the pressure off Cardiff, we expect the Bluebirds to throw caution to the wind in search of maximum points. Nevertheless, Southampton could still edge this contest, aware that they can ill-afford any dropped points.

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