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

Cardiff City will hope to climb back towards the playoff places with a win over Bristol City in their next game, after a disappointing season so far has left them in the bottom half of the table.

Bristol, on the other hand, are just three points off the automatic promotion places and will be hoping to keep the pressure on the clutch of teams above them in the league standings.

Match Preview

Cardiff were tipped as one of the favourites to challenge for an immediate return to the top flight after their relegation last season but have underperformed by that marker.

The Bluebirds have failed to record consecutive victories at any point this season and have been plagued by inconsistency.

Additionally, their once-reliable defence has lost its solidity this term and is the joint-third worst of any team outside the relegation zone in the Championship.

They did triumph in a 4-2 thriller over Birmingham City last time out, however - a result that put an end to a four-game winless run.

Bristol City, on the other hand, have overcome a slightly shaky start in which they were beaten 3-1 by Leeds United to put together a steady run of form.

The Robins have lost just once in the Championship since that opening-day defeat and find themselves in a playoff place and just three points off an automatic promotion spot.

Lee Johnson's side will be hoping to go one better than their 2-2 draw against Barnsley last time out and claim an important victory in their promotion push.

Cardiff City form: WLDDLW Bristol City form: DWLWDD

Team News

Cardiff head coach Neil Warnock is without centre-back and captain Sean Morrison due to a broken wrist - a major blow for the Welsh side.

Midfielder Joe Ralls could also be missing for the hosts as he is a major doubt with a groin strain, while Lee Tomlin's availability is also uncertain after a knock.

Additionally, forwards Isaac Vassell and Robert Glatzel are injured, while Danny Ward is suspended, providing Warnock with a real headache up front.

The Bluebirds have re-signed left-back Armand Traore to provide greater squad depth, but this game may come too soon for the left-back.

Bristol boss Johnson is not faring much better, with their own captain Josh Brownhill unavailable due to a back problem suffered against Barnsley.

Striker Benik Afobe is a long-term absentee, while Adam Nagy and Korey Smith are to be assessed ahead of this one.

Famara Diedhiou is suspended, while full-backs Jay Dasilva and Jack Hunt are still sidelined through injury.

Cardiff City possible starting lineup: Etheridge; Peltier, Nelson, Flint, Bennett; Bacuna, Pack, Paterson; Mendez-Laing, Bogle, Hoilett

Bristol City possible starting lineup: Bentley; Kalas, Williams, Moore; Pereira, Palmer, Massengo, O'Dowda, Rowe; Watkins, Weimann

We say: Cardiff City 1-1 Bristol City

Both sides have a number of players missing and are good going forward without being tight defensively. Given the rivalry between the two, neither is likely to give an inch and a fiery score draw could be the result.