While mathematically Cardiff City can not be relegated this weekend, Southampton could effectively hammer the final nail in their coffin with a win at St Mary's on Saturday.

Hopes of a Bluebirds revival following their victory over Fulham just over a month ago are now distant memories after a run of four matches without a win, during which time they have conceded a whopping 15 goals.

There has been no shortage of drama in that time. Cardiff tested leaders Liverpool before being blown away in the second half, while there were two goals in injury time during their incredible 3-3 draw with West Bromwich Albion last month.

That result kept the Welsh club hanging on to hopes of survival, but they were all but dashed by a comprehensive 3-0 defeat at home to Crystal Palace last weekend, leaving Cardiff eight points from safety with five games remaining.

Even manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted that his side would need a "miracle" to stay up now and, while he is inextricably linked with helping Manchester United to a similarly unlikely victory in the 1999 Champions League final, this task seems to be beyond his ability.

If there is a slight glimmer of hope, it is that three of their final five games come against teams with very little to fight for - and that tally could well be four if Chelsea are no longer in the title race by the time of their meeting on the final day.

However, three of those matches come away from home, and Cardiff have the worst record on the road in the Premier League this season. They have won just once on their travels and picked up a meagre three points from the last 39 on offer.

Solskjaer's task has not been made any easier by the news that Craig Noone will miss the rest of the season through injury, while Mark Hudson is also out and Fabio is a doubt.

From Southampton's point of view, their current position of eighth is the highest that they can realistically hope to achieve now. It has been a fine campaign for the Saints, and they will be keen to ensure that they hold off the challenge of Newcastle United to finish in the top eight.

They have a good recent home record to fall back on and will fancy their chances of finding the net a few times against a side leaking goals having scored eight times in their last two outings at St Mary's. Only Liverpool have beaten the Saints in their own back yard in their eight matches in front of their own fans since New Year's Day.

However, the news that top scorer Jay Rodriguez is out for the rest of the season and the World Cup is a devastating blow for the player and the club, who are justifiably proud of their growing contingent in the England team.

Rodriguez joins Maya Yoshida, Kelvin Davis and Nathaniel Clyne on the sidelines, but Artur Boruc should be fit enough to return between the sticks.

Recent form

Southampton: LWWLWL

Cardiff: LWLLDL

Possible starting lineups

Southampton: Boruc; Chambers, Lovren, Fonte, Shaw; Schneiderlin, Cork; Ward-Prowse, Davis, Lallana; Lambert

Cardiff: Marshall; Theophile-Catherine, Caulker, Turner, Taylor; Bellamy, Medel, Mutch, Daehli; Jones, Campbell

Sports Mole says: 3-0