Cardiff City play host to Plymouth Argyle on Boxing Day looking for the victory that could catapult them back up the Championship standings.

At a time when the Bluebirds sit in 10th position, the visitors are 17th and seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Match preview

After a promising start to the season, Cardiff have dropped off of late, threatening to undo the hard work that Erol Bulut's side have put in during the opening months.

Five defeats in seven games had been posted ahead of Saturday's trip to an improving Sheffield Wednesday side who had won three of four games heading into that fixture.

However, Bulut watched his side overturn a half-time deficit to run out 2-1 victors at Hillsborough, with the difference between sitting in 10th and dropping into the bottom half.

Bulut will recognise that their inconsistency cannot continue in the long run if they want to challenge for promotion, yet sitting three points adrift of sixth is a scenario that everyone associated with Cardiff would have taken before the beginning of the campaign.

Although Cardiff have six wins from 11 games at their home ground in 2023-24, three of their four defeats have been recorded in their last four outings in South Wales.

As far as Plymouth are concerned, they find themselves in an unusual situation of enjoying a solid campaign and run of form but now being without a permanent manager.

Steven Schumacher has made the decision to leave the Pilgrims for Stoke City, with the belief being that he is advancing his career, yet last season's League One champions have 27 points from 23 games, exceeding that of the Potters.

Caretaker boss Neil Dewsnip was able to deliver a point in his first game in charge, with Plymouth rallying from 3-1 down versus Birmingham City to earn what felt like an important 3-3 draw.

While Dewsnip is unlikely to remain at the helm in the long term, he has an important job to keep Plymouth ticking over until a permanent alternative is found, and his team going four games unbeaten on Boxing Day would make the job increasingly attractive.

Team News

Bulut is expected to make several changes to his Cardiff side after their comeback win over Sheffield Wednesday.

Ryan Wintle, Ollie Tanner and Kion Etete will all hope to feature after being brought off the substitutes' bench when Cardiff were 1-0 down in that fixture.

Callum O'Dowda, Joe Ralls and Aaron Ramsey will all remain on the sidelines for Cardiff.

Meanwhile, Dewsnip may make a couple of changes to his Plymouth XI, potentially bringing Kaine Kesler-Hayden back into the team in one of the full-back positions.

Adam Randell may also be recalled in central midfield, but Ben Waine should retain his spot in attack with Ryan Hardie and Mustapha Bunda having recently suffered injury issues.

Cardiff City possible starting lineup:
Alnwick; Ng, Goutas, McGuinness, Collins; Ralls, Wintle; Bowler, Robinson, Grant; Etete

Plymouth Argyle possible starting lineup:
Hazard; Edwards, Pleguezuelo, Gibson, Kesler-Hayden; Randell, Houghton, Azaz; Whittaker, Waine, Mumba

We say: Cardiff City 2-1 Plymouth Argyle

Possessing an encouraging unbeaten run, Plymouth will fancy their chances of causing the upset at the Cardiff City Stadium. However, the Welsh giants have enough about them to stay in the playoff race if they win games such as this one, and we feel a late goal could prove decisive.


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