SM
Arsenal vs. Juventus: 8 hrs 55 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
CC
Championship | Gameweek 44
Apr 20, 2024 at 3pm UK
Cardiff City Stadium
SL

Cardiff
2 - 1
Southampton

Diedhiou (68'), Ashford (90+6')
Phillips (82')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Aribo (12')
Armstrong (43'), Deen Sulemana (81'), Bednarek (90+1')

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

:Headline: Preview: Cardiff City vs. Southampton - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Cardiff City and Southampton, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

Southampton make the trip to Cardiff City on Saturday afternoon knowing that victory will keep them in the race for automatic promotion from the Championship.

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 as the Saints have posted triumphs over Coventry City, Watford and Preston North End respectively to move to 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, with 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:

Southampton Championship form:


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.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




body check tags ::

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


amp_article__541568 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2024-04-20 20:24:02:
html db last update - 2024-04-20 20:24:02 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!
Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Southampton 2022-23 season review - star player, best moment, standout result
Reunion at Man United: Amorim 'has spoken' to Sporting star over 2025 transfer
When will Alaba return to action? Potential return date revealed
Championship: Transfer ins and outs - Summer 2023
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Preview: AC Milan vs. Juventus - prediction, team news, lineups

1

PA

Preview: Bournemouth vs. Brighton - prediction, team news, lineups

NEW

2

PB

Celta Vigo vs. Barcelona: Head-to-head record and past meetings

NEW

3

CV

David update: Lille president addresses future of Man United, Barca-linked striker

NEW

4

DU

Preview: Lens vs. Marseille - prediction, team news, lineups

5

PL

Preview: St Etienne vs. Montpellier - prediction, team news, lineups

6

PS

Could Man City's "saving grace" give them the edge against "emotional" Spurs?

7

CM

Preview: Reims vs. Lyon - prediction, team news, lineups

8

PR

Preview: Hellas Verona vs. Inter Milan - prediction, team news, lineups

9

PH

Preview: Parma vs. Atalanta - prediction, team news, lineups

10

PP


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .