Preview: Cardiff City vs. Coventry City - prediction, team news, lineups

At a time when the Bluebirds have moved into the top half of the standings, Coventry remain bottom and six points adrift of safety.

Match preview

When Steve Morison was surprisingly removed from his position as Cardiff boss during the international break, the decision led to much criticism of the club's board.

As it stands, however, the controversial call has led to the response that the Welsh outfit required with caretaker boss Mark Hudson delivering seven points from a possible nine.

Those points have been accumulated by strong finishes in each fixture, the latest occurrence coming last weekend as Cardiff recorded a 3-1 victory at Wigan Athletic.

Everything is currently pointing to Hudson being handed the reins on a permanent basis, a feeling which would be strengthened with a third triumph in succession at the weekend.

Nevertheless, even though Cardiff have been resurgent, they are still just three points above 19th spot, and Hudson and his players are under pressure to keep building momentum over the coming games.

While the stop-start nature to Coventry's season is now a distant memory, it continues to have lasting effects with the club still off the pace in terms of points and matches played.

Mark Robins's side recently put together a four-match unbeaten streak, but last weekend's 1-0 reverse against Burnley has kept the Sky Blues six points adrift of safety with three matches in hand.

With every team in the division now facing a relentless schedule ahead of the World Cup, the situation will not resolve itself anytime soon, leaving Robins and his squad with little option but to take every match as it comes.

Coventry will travel to the Cardiff City Stadium having put together a three-game unbeaten run on their travels, recording a comeback draw and two goalless stalemates.

Cardiff City Championship form:

L

W

L

D

W

W

Coventry City Championship form:

L

D

D

W

D

L

Team News

With Callum Robinson suffering a knock to his knee last weekend, Sheyi Ojo is in line to come into the Cardiff XI.

Barring any further injury issues, Hudson may be prepared to stick with the remainder of the team which saw off Wigan.

Coventry will again be without the services of Gustavo Hamer who serves the final game of his fourth-match suspension.

Matt Godden is expected to return to the Sky Blues attack to take the place of Tyler Walker, while Michael Rose is pushing for a return in defence.

Walker may drop into a deeper role if Robins opts to only select Kasey Palmer among the replacements.

Cardiff City possible starting lineup:

Allsop; Ng, Kipre, Simpson, Nkounkou; Rinomhota, Wintle, Ralls; O'Dowda, Harris, Ojo

Coventry City possible starting lineup:

Wilson; Doyle, McFadzean, Panzo; Dabo, Sheaf, Allen, Bidwell; Walker; Gyokeres, Godden

We say: Cardiff City 2-1 Coventry City

Although Hudson is currently in line to remain in charge of Cardiff on a full-time basis, that could change with a couple of defeats. Coventry are capable of causing a surprise in South Wales, but we are backing the Bluebirds to edge a hard-fought battle.

Previews by email