Merry Christmas everyone. It's Boxing Day and that means only one thing: football, and lots of it. Today I'll be focusing on Cardiff City's clash with Southampton

It's a fascinating match for various reasons, not least because of the ongoing situation with Malky Mackay and his future at the club. I think it's fair to say that he is probably delighted that some of the focus can finally get back to matters on the pitch.

We'll discuss both Cardiff and the Saints shortly, but the teams news has just come in...

CARDIFF: Marshall; Taylor, Caulker, Turner, Theophile-Catherine; Whittingham, Gunnarsson, Mutch, Noone; Odemwingie, Campbell

SUBS: Lewis, Hudson, Cornelius, Kim, Cowie, Maynard, John

SOUTHAMPTON: Gazzaniga; Chambers, Fonte, Yoshida, Shaw; Cork, Schneiderlin, S. Davis, Lallana; Rodriguez, Lambert

SUBS: K. Davis, Ramirez, Fox, Ward-Prowse, Hooiveld, Reed, Gallagher

The home side name one change in their starting XI, with Fraizer Campbell coming in for Gary Medel. Southampton make three changes, as Luke Shaw, Jose Fonte and Maya Yoshida come into the team. Defender Dejan Lovren, who has impressed so far, is out with illness.

So, back to the pre-match build up, and there really is only one place to start. In football terms, Mackay has had anything but a happy Christmas. Club owner Vincent Tan has made his feelings very clear, with the now infamous email telling his manager to 'resign or be sacked'. It seemed inevitable that Mackay would leave after the defeat to Liverpool, but he remains, at least for the time being.

Chairman Mehmet Dalman instigated peace talks between the duo, but then claimed that the club would not be afraid to change manager. He told Sky Sports News: "Every effort that can be made is being made to allow the club to move forward. We will do everything humanly possible to maintain the status quo but if not we will move fast to repair the situation. If that means bringing in a new manager, we will, but for the time being, we believe that's premature and we will work together to fix the predicament we're in."

Mackay has come out of the turmoil with almost universal praise from around the football world, although he has admitted that he feared for his job. "I did feel I was going to lose my job on the weekend," he told reporters. "The email deeply upset me. I declined to resign and expected to be sacked over the weekend. I'm proud to be the manager here and I think I should be the manager here. I will keep doing what I'm doing and if someone wants to do something different that's up to them."

During this period of off-field matters, however, it has been easy to forget that Cardiff are in desperate need of points. They sit just four points ahead of Crystal Palace, and have won just one of their last seven league matches.

The next 16 days could possibly be the most important of the season, with three winnable home matches, starting today against Southampton. On Saturday, rock bottom Sunderland visit the Cardiff City Stadium. Early on the new year, it will be the turn of struggling West Ham. On paper, nine points is a realistic aim.

Looking at their head-to-head stats against the Saints, Cardiff can be forgiven for feeling positive today. They have won their last seven home matches with Southampton, each by a one-goal margin, while the away side have not won this fixture in the last 17 league attempts since a 5-3 win at Ninian Park in 1965.

That brings us nicely onto Mauricio Pochettino's side. Their early season impetus has slowed somewhat in recent weeks with no win in six games. A trip to Everton follows today and then they welcome Chelsea awaiting, so you feel that a positive result today could be very important.

They are yet to endure a seven-game winless streak since they returned to the Premier League, but perhaps more worrying are their defensive frailties. Pochettino's side have gone a league-high eight games without keeping a clean sheet, conceding 17 goals in the process.

Earlier this week, Pochettino blamed the packed Christmas schedule, but insisted that he was happy with how things are progressing on the South Coast. "The calendar has been a factor. We have been facing some of the toughest teams in the league. The performances have still been good, but the results haven't come our way," he told reporters. "I also think that when we have a fully-fit squad, we are a very good, defensive, solid team, and we haven't been able to have that team for a number of reasons, so that's also something that we need to take into account."

REF WATCH: Today's referee is Andre Marriner, who has handed out four red cards and 44 yellows in 13 matches.

In the early kickoff, Manchester United have beaten Hull City 3-2. David Moyes's side were 2-0 down. Perhaps the United of old is returning?

Just a quick note from Pochettino on Lovren, who is missing today through illness: "Lovren fell ill yesterday, so he's gone back to Southampton. Hopefully we won't notice the changes," the Saints manager told the club's official website.

PREDICTION: Just five minutes to go before we start, so let's get a prediction. Both teams aren't playing their best, but the home support should be in full voice. I think that could count for a lot this afternoon, so I'm going for 2-1 to Cardiff.

The players are on the pitch and Mackay looks deep in thought on the touchline. Tan, meanwhile, has his dark shades on.

KICKOFF: Here we go then. We're underway.

Saints have the ball in the middle of the park at the moment. They win a throw deep in Cardiff territory, but it is dealt with.

Oh, Jay Rodriguez should do better. He breaks down the flank, but takes his eye off the ball and Theopile Catherine gets back to make the block. The away side on top at the moment.

A promising spell of possession is wasted as Chambers knocks the ball out for a Cardiff goal kick. The home side have their first foray into the Southampton area, but it's back with the visitors.

Better from the home side in the last couple of minutes. We've yet to have a clear-cut chance for either side, however. Rodriguez was probably best placed to create something earlier, but since then it has been a midfield battle.

Mackay is barking instructions from his technical area. Plenty of effort and determination so far, but a distinct lack of quality.

Again Southampton look the more threatening, and this time Chambers is in a decent position, but his cross is poor and into the arms of Marshall.

MISS! Oh, it should be 1-0 to Cardiff! Craig Noone finds space and delivers a ball to the box. I'm not sure where the defence is, but Whittingham finds himself with just Gazzaniga to beat, but scuffs his volley over. Poor effort!

Cardiff are made to pay for that miss as Southampton take an early lead here in Wales. A great ball wide by Morgan Schneiderlin finds Lallana, who beats the offside trap before sliding the ball to an unmarked Rodriguez in the box who taps the ball in.

The atmosphere is flat here. It should have been 1-0 to the home side just moments before that goal, and things aren't going Cardiff's way.

Not much to report on in terms of chances in the last few minutes. Both teams are settling down after the goal, but there's not doubt that the Bluebirds need to up their game.

Well, that will teach me for speaking too soon! Southampton are dominating this match and they deservedly go 2-0 ahead. Rickie Lambert swings over a cross from the right and there is Rodriguez to volley in. That's his ninth of the season.

BOOKING! Craig Noone gets a booking for a late challenge on Luke Shaw.

Better from Cardiff now. Gazzaniga is called into action to tip over a good header by Mutch, but the flag had already gone up for offside. Nevertheless, promising play for the Bluebirds.

BOOKING! Now Shaw gets a card for bringing down Noone.

Southampton have a corner and Fonte comes forward from the back.

Oh my. Rickie Lambert has just made it three and this match could be over already. The corner is played short and Chambers hangs over the ball from the right. It's not cleared by the home defence and Lambert takes the ball down before firing in from six yards out.

Some Cardiff fans have left their seats. I'm sure they are off for an early cuppa, but you can't blame them for that. The hosts have been very poor.

SAVE! Finally some Cardiff pressure which results in Gazzaniga pushing a deflected shot wide for a corner. That comes to nothing, however and Southampton are back on the ball.

Brilliant cross by Noone just now, but it's headed away. If Cardiff can get him on the ball and men in the box, then they have a chance.

I don't think many would have predicted this scoreline as we approach half time. However, credit must go to Pochettino's men. They have taken their chances and used the width of the pitch to stretch the home defence.

A blast of "come on!" comes from someone in the dugout, I'm guessing it's Cardiff's. They need something. This game has gone very flat, which is ideal for the away side.

Good defending by Maya Yoshida deflects a cross wide for a corner. However, it's cleared and the ball is back out to Noone, who under hits his delivery.

I think that Mackay has spent the entire first half on his feet. He looks anxious, while Tan sits in his chair, eyes covered by his glasses.

Oh good defending by Yoshida here! Theopile Catherine moves the ball forward and plays a good ball to Odemwingie, but he hesitates and the Saints defender gets across to clear the ball.

We've got two minutes of added time at the end of this first half. Cardiff have a throw, actually, make that a free kick as Lallana brings down Gunnarsson.

HALF TIME: CARDIFF 0-3 SOUTHAMPTON
Whittingham swings it in but Gazzaniga gets at the second time of asking and the ref blows for half time.

What a great performance so far by Southampton. They have looked composed on the ball and dangerous on the attack. As it stands, it's a very long way back for the home side.

Having said that, Cardiff have had their chances, including Peter Whittingham's awful miss just before the first Saints goal. If that had of gone in, it could have been a different first half. But, the visitors pushed on and stormed into a 3-0 advantage.

The stats say that Southampton had 63% of possession, and four shots compared to Cardiff's two. Both have committed six fouls, but it's been a clean, fair game so far.

So, what can Malky Mackay do to turn this around? Well, he has the likes of Nicky Maynard and Andreas Cornelius on the bench, but he might decide to bring on an extra midfielder to restrict Southampton's time on the ball.

Elsewhere in the Premier League, Chelsea are beating Swansea City 1-0, Sunderland lead by the same scoreline away at Everton, and Newcastle are drawing 1-1 at home against Stoke City, although the visitors are down to nine men in that one. There's plenty more action around the country, however.

SUB: Cardiff are bringing on Andreas Cornelius for Odemwingie at half time.

KICKOFF: The second half is underway!

BOOKING! Schneiderlin gets a yellow for a bad foul and the home side have a free kick in a decent position.

OVER THE BAR! It's another good delivery from the set piece and Campbell connects, but directs his header over the bar. Good spell of pressure now.

Another home corner comes into the box and Southampton struggle to get it clear, but Gazzaniga recovers to claw the ball behind for yet another corner. Cornelius gets up highest, but flicks his effort wide.

SAVE! Southampton fight back as Rodriguez plays the ball down the line for Shaw. Marshall races out of his goal and does just about enough to direct the ball out for a corner. Lallana's cross is cleared by Caulker and Cork fires his shot at Marshall.

It's been a very good start from Cardiff in this second half. Whatever Mackay said in the dressing room is working. A goal now would make all the difference.

SAVE! More good work as Shaw jinks his way to the edge of the box. His shot is on his right foot, however, and it's a weak effort which Marshall easily saves.

UPDATE: By the way, Newcastle are 3-1 up against Stoke City. It could be a long afternoon for the Potters.

SUB: Declan John replaces Andrew Taylor for the home side.

OVER THE BAR! Decent chance here for Fraizer Campbell, who has worked hard. Cornelius flicks on a long ball, which Campbell brings down. However, it's bouncing and his volley on the turn goes high over the bar.

Nasty looking collision between Luke Shaw and Noone just now. Both need treatment, but they are fine to continue.

Cardiff have to attack now. They are running out of time and Southampton are happy to sit on their lead and counter attack for a fourth. Mackay could bring on Nicky Maynard to inject some pace into the team. There's lots of hard work, but little quality.

Great attacking football again by the away side. Lambert plays in Schneiderlin, who hooks a lovely cross towards Rodriguez in the box. The striker can't quite get on the end of it as Theopile Catherine makes a vital interception.

Cardiff's problem is obvious: a lack of goals. Malky Mackay's side have scored just five goals in their last nine Premier League games, although four of those have come in the second half.

However, as it stands, I can't see that becoming five. Southampton are comfortable, seeing off any Cardiff attack with ease. Now Lallana gets a free kick as the game is slowed down again.

We're into the last 15 minutes of this clash. It's been an intriguing second half, but Southampton did most of their work in the first. The stadium is flat and it appears as if the points are on their way to the South Coast club.

Lallana has dictated the tempo today. When his team need to push, he instigates it. When they need to defend and sit back, he is the one drawing fouls and keeping possession.

SUBS: James Ward-Prowse comes on for Lallana for Southampton, while Cardiff make their final change as Kim Bo-Kyung replaces Gunnarsson.

Nearly an opening for 4-0! Again Shaw finds space to cross from the left, but Ben Turner gets in to clear the ball. The corner comes to nothing and I think this one is well and truly over.

The stadium is beginning to empty rather rapidly as people make their way home to continue (or start) their Boxing Day celebrations. It's going to be an enjoyable trip home for the away supporters.

SUB: Rodriguez is off for Ramirez.

Jose Fonte brings down Campbell, giving Cardiff a free kick in a good position. However, the ball in is poor and that pretty much sums up their afternoon.

We're now into three minutes of added time. Nothing to report on in terms of chances.

OVER! Scrap that, ha ha! Theopile Catherine, who has played well, advances forward, and after the ball breaks to him, he smashes a shot over the bar. Moments later, Cardiff win a corner.

Steven Caulker gets up, but his header is weak and rolls into Gazzaniga's arms.

SUB: Final change for the Saints as Sam Gallagher comes on for Rickie Lambert.

It's all over here at Cardiff City Stadium. In the end, it was a miserable Boxing Day for all those associated with the hosts. However, for Southampton, they break their winless run in the best possible fashion.

The damage was done in the first half as Mauricio Pochettino's men demonstrated their ability in front of goal. In the second, they were content to soak up any Cardiff pressure, but there wasn't much of it.

Malky Mackay will be extremely disappointed with the result, but his players did work hard. However, a lack of quality in attack was painfully obvious. They now have to forget about today and focus on Saturday's crucial match against Sunderland.

Right, that's all from me today. I hope you had an enjoyable Boxing Day, but stay with us for a little bit longer. We will have all of the reaction coming up from this afternoon's matches.