Cardiff City had to settle for a point on Wednesday night, despite dominating the contest with Sheffield United. Next up for the Bluebirds is a different proposition in the form of relegation-threatened Crystal Palace. Simon Glanville previews the game.
Cardiff team news: Jay Bothroyd will be missing for Cardiff City's next two games after picking up his tenth booking of the season against the Blades in midweek. Bothroyd's enforced absence may pave the way for Michael Chopra to return to the starting eleven having spent the past few games on the bench. Mark Kennedy is doubtful with a rib injury but is desperate to play against his former club. Kelvin Etuhu will again be hoping to figure after recently returning from injury.
Crystal Palace team news: Paul Hart has a few defensive problems ahead of the visit of City. Centre-backs Claude Davis and Matt Lawrence are suspended, while Paddy McCarthy remains a long-term absentee. Full-backs Danny Butterfield and Nathaniel Clyne are injury doubts leaving Hart with some re-shuffling to do.
Crystal Palace's season so far: Crystal Palace will start the game with Cardiff sitting in the relegation zone, although most believe they shouldn't be in that position. This time a few weeks ago, Palace were performing well under Neil Warnock and in with a good chance of hijacking the top six. However, an enforced ten-point deduction, coupled with Warnock moving onto QPR, leaves the club in a relegation battle. Paul Hart has been brought in with the task of keeping the club up, one he knows will not be easy.
Last meeting: The Bluebirds and Palace fought out a scrappy draw in South Wales back in October. The visitors took the lead when Mark Hudson put into his own net after former City striker Alan Lee headed across goal. Cardiff equalized through Peter Whittingham's close-range finish, but neither side could find a winner to claim the three points.
Teams from last meeting at Cardiff City Stadium on 17th October 2009:
Bluebirds: Marshall, Gerrard, Hudson, Kennedy, Burke (Feeney, 88), Whittingham, Ledley, Rae, Matthews, Chopra, Bothroyd (McCormack, 61). Subs not used: Quinn, Enckelman, Gyepes, McNaughton, Taiwo.
Palace: Speroni, Hill, McCarthy, Butterfield, Fonte, Ambrose (Scannell, 46), Derry, Danns, Moses (Sears, 16), N'Diaye, Lee ( John, 77). Subs not used: Ertl, Hills, Clyne, Flahavan.
Attendance: 21,457.
Crystal Palace last time out: Paul Hart's Palace remain in the relegation zone after they lost out at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night. Wes Morgan headed home on the stroke of half-time to put the hosts ahead, and Palace's job was made harder when Matt Lawrence was sent-off shortly after the break. Nathan Tyson then wrapped up the points for Forest with a goal eight minutes from time, leaving Palace with a big job on their hands if they are to remain a Championship club.
Crystal Palace versus Nottingham Forest: Speroni, Hill Butterfield (Scannell, 5), Lawrence, Ertl, Hills, Ambrose, Derry, Danns, Lee (Djilali, 85), John (Andrew, 80). Subs not used: Comley, Cadogan, N'Diaye, Mann.
