Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what is a crucial relegation battle between Cardiff and Crystal Palace. Both teams enjoyed morale-boosting victories in their last outing and could give their survival hopes another timely boost with three points this afternoon, so we should be in for an intriguing encounter. Let's start with a look at our hosts today...

Cardiff could not have had a more dramatic last outing, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's penchant for a late goal seemingly rubbing off on his team. After a dreadful start in which they fell 2-0 down against West Brom inside 10 minutes, the Bluebirds fought back to 2-2 before seemingly losing the game in stoppage time of the second half. However, Mats Daehli was on hand to score another equaliser even later in the game to clinch a 3-3 draw that would have felt like a win.

However, no matter how good it would have felt to have clinched a draw from the jaws of defeat, the fact remains that they still only added one point to their rather miserly tally of 26 from 32 games so far this season. That leaves them still three points from safety, while their position is made all the more precarious by the fact that they have played one game more than the two teams directly above them and two games more than Sunderland below them.

Their Premier League destiny is out of their own hands, then, but stranger things have happened than Cardiff staying up this season. A victory this afternoon could completely change the complexion of the relegation battle, potentially drawing them level on points with West Brom while dragging Palace right back into the mire as well. Such a scenario would depend on results elsewhere, but the Bluebirds could very realistically end the day in a much more promising position than they started it.

If they are to stay up, one priority for Cardiff will be to tighten things up at the back. Coming up against the league's worst defence in Palace will be a good chance for a rare clean sheet, although having conceded nine goals in their last two games, confidence will be low at the back. Only Fulham have conceded more times than Cardiff's 61 goals this season.

Things aren't much better at the other end of the pitch, although there are signs of improvement there. Only three teams - Palace, Norwich and Sunderland - have scored fewer goals than Cardiff's 29 this season, but six of those have come in their last two games. That, combined with the defensive record, gives them the second-worst goal difference in the league, behind only Fulham, which could prove to be an important factor in a tight relegation battle.

Home form will be key if Cardiff are to stay up this season. Their record at the Cardiff City Stadium is respectable - if not spectacular - this season, but with the worst away record in the division there is a lot more emphasis on home wins. They have picked up points off Manchester City, Everton and Manchester United in front of their own fans this season, and they will be looking to conjure up a similar performance today.

Perhaps even more important than those unexpected points off big teams is their record against the sides around them in the table. They have only lost one of their seven home games against teams currently in the bottom nine this season - a record Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be desperate to enhance today. One record Solskjaer will want to shed, however, is the fact that he has only picked up an average of 0.67 points per game since taking over, significantly worse than the 0.9 per game that predecessor Malky Mackay managed.

While question continue to linger over whether axing Mackay was the right idea for Cardiff, the choice to appoint Tony Pulis has unanimously been accepted as a good one. Palace have improved their form dramatically under the former Stoke boss and, while his style may not always be easy on the eye, there is no doubting its effectiveness.

Chelsea felt the full force of that effectiveness last week at Selhurst Park as Palace beat the title-chasing Blues 1-0 in front of a raucous home crowd. What will please Pulis almost as much as the result is the fact that they deserved it, nullifying Eden Hazard and co. and keeping things water tight at the back. It was a vintage Pulis display, and a similar one today against a side not blessed with the same attacking options at Chelsea could see them pick up another valuable win.

In truth, Palace should have scored more than the one they managed against Chelsea, but it is safe to say that goalscoring has not been the Eagles' strong point this season. They have netted just 20 times in the league this season, which is the lowest tally out of the 92 professional clubs in England and in any of the top five leagues in Europe.

Instead, Palace have relied on their defensive solidity to get them results, and it is a ploy that has worked remarkably well. Pulis has developed a well organised and disciplined unit that has conceded just 39 times this season - the fewest outside the top seven in the league and the same amount as leaders Liverpool. They have only conceded three goals in their last five matches, and those five games have seen just five goals overall. 'the Entertainers' they are not.

Their current tally of 31 points is the most that they have managed after 31 games of a 38-match Premier League season, and a point per game will probably be enough to keep them up this season. The usual benchmark of 40 seems to be a little high this season, and the safety zone is more likely to be around the 36-point mark.

Most of those points have come at home, however, as they have really struggled on their travels this season. They have only won two league games on the road throughout the entire campaign, with the last coming at Villa Park on Boxing Day. They have played six away games since that victory, during which time they have managed just one goal.

Indeed, they have scored a measly six goals in their 15 away matches this season - by far the lowest tally in the league. Coming up against a side that has conceded nine in their last two games, they may be confident of improving that awful record, but it would certainly take a bit of improvement to do so. Only Cardiff have amassed fewer points on the road than Palace this season, with their two wins and two draws coming to a meagre total of eight points.

TEAM NEWS: Right, the teams are in for both sides, and the big news is that Chamakh is only on the bench for Palace. He has missed four games with a hamstring injury and is not yet fit enough to start the match. Similarly, Noone is on the bench for Cardiff having only recently returned from a groin strain. Daehli earns himself a start after his heroics at the Hawthorns last week, while Wilfried Zaha comes up against his former club. Full team news for both sides coming right up...

CARDIFF STARTING XI: Marshall; Theophile-Catherine, Caulker, Turner, Taylor; Medel, Mutch, Daehli, Zaha; Campbell, Jones

CARDIFF SUBS: Lewis, Eikrem, Noone, Cowie, McNaughton, Cala, Bellamy

CRYSTAL PALACE STARTING XI: Speroni; Mariappa, Dann, Delaney, Ward; Dikgacoi, Jedinak, Ledley, Puncheon, Bolasie; Jerome

CRYSTAL PALACE SUBS: Hennessey, Gabbidon, Parr, Ince, Gayle, Murray, Chamakh

So, what can we make of those two teams? Well, from Cardiff's point of view it is no real surprise to see Daehli brought into the starting lineup after his late goal against West Brom last weekend. His confidence must be sky high having rescued a point for his side in such dramatic fashion and, while similar heroics will not be expected today, he will look to harness than confidence and contribute to his side again.

Alongside him in midfield is a man that Palace know all about in Wilfried Zaha. He was key to their promotion bid last season and chairman Steve Parish has admitted that he would be interested in bringing the youngster back to the club if possible. He will be a threat to the Palace defence, as will Jordan Mutch, who has scored three goals in his last two games to become Cardiff's leading scorer with seven.

Another man with an eye for goal this season has been Caulker, who was an expensive but important buy for Cardiff last summer. He has led by example as captain, scoring five vital goals already this season - the same number as Palace top scorer Marouane Chamakh. Behind him is David Marshall, who has impressed this season despite being kept very busy. He has made more saves than anyone else in the top flight in the current campaign, denying the opposition 127 times.

The front two of Campbell and Jones are yet to really get firing on all cylinders, but they have shown glimpses of their quality and certainly have plenty of Premier League experience to fall back on. They will face a stern test against such a stubborn Palace defence, but with Jones's aerial threat coupled with Campbell's pace, they may have enough different routes of attack to cause problems.

For Palace, the plan will be the same as ever - get a clean sheet and try to nick a goal on the break. It worked perfectly against Chelsea, but such is their style that there is no guarantee that it will work against Cardiff today. The defence has been very good under Pulis, though, with Joel Ward arguably the standout performer in that backline. Speroni also deserves a special mention having made two very good saves to keep Chelsea from scoring in that match last week.

Mile Jedinak enjoyed a good game against Chelsea protecting the back four, and he will look to fulfil that role again today in order to stop the recent scoring exploits of Mutch. The likes of Puncheon and Bolasie will look to get forward in support of Jerome, whose only goal this season came in the reverse fixture back in December.

Should Jerome fail to deliver today, Palace have no shortage of options on the bench - which is a welcome change from recent weeks. Top scorer Chamakh - who also netted in the reverse fixture - is back from injury, while there is also an unexpected recall for Gayle, who had also been struggling with injury. Glenn Murray netted a hat-trick in this fixture last season so will also provide adequate cover should Pulis find himself needing a goal late on. Tom Ince, who was linked with a move to Cardiff last summer, once again has to settle for a place on the bench but could come on to test any tired legs later in the game.

PREDICTION: Right, we're 10 minutes from kickoff at the Cardiff City Stadium, so it is time for my match prediction! Palace games are rarely filled with more than one or two goals, while Cardiff have seen 15 go in at either end in their last two outings, so it is quite a tricky one to call. I certainly don't see another goal-fest on the horizon, and I wouldn't be surprised to see it end goalless, but I'll go for a 1-0 home victory, making the relegation battle even more interesting.

Palace do not just have to overcome poor away form and a lack of goals today - they must also overhaul a hoodoo that has hung over them for a decade. They have not beaten Cardiff away from home since April 2004, a run of nine matches that has seen them lose five and draw four.

However, they did win the reverse fixture fairly comfortably in December, with Jerome and Chamkh scoring in a 2-0 win. A repeat of that scoreline today would send them a long way towards staying in the Premier League for a second consecutive season - something that the club has never managed before.

There is plenty more action taking place this afternoon, including four other Premier League games kicking off at 3pm. We have all of them on offer for you here, while I will also be keeping you up to date with major events from those matches as and when they happen.

One thing Cardiff will be keen to cut out sooner rather than later is their penchant for conceding late goals. They have let in nine in stoppage time already this season, costing them four points that would have otherwise seen them in a position of safety right now.

KICKOFF: Palace get us underway in a huge relegation battle in the Premier League. This has to be a must-win game for Cardiff, while for Palace it is more of a must-not-lose encounter.

A solid start from both sides as they look to ease themselves into what will understandably be a nervy occasion. Cardiff have named an attacking starting lineup, so they will look to make inroads early before Palace's defence can get settled.

The first corner of the game goes to Palace, and Puncheon picks out Dikgacoi at the back post in plenty of space. He chests it down before firing a powerful half volley towards the near post, but it flies a few yards wide.

What initially seemed to be a 4-4-2 from Cardiff is actually a 4-5-1, with Jones through the middle on his own and Zaha and Campbell on the wings. It turns into a 4-3-3 when the hosts are on the attack, giving that Palace defence plenty of think about as they look to keep another clean sheet.

It is actually Palace who have been the slightly more attacking team in these opening stages. They have earned a couple of corners, but still nothing of any note to report in terms of chances.

A draw would not really do Cardiff any favours, but by the same token it will be a lot less damaging than a defeat. They have five games left to play after today's match, and if they can make up a point on West Brom today then they will still be in with a great chance to catching the Baggies.

As expected, this hasn't been the most thrilling game so far. I don't expect too much goalmouth action from these two teams, but it is still early days so hopefully we will see an improvement sooner rather than later.

The first shot on target comes from the visitors as Puncheon is afforded too much time and space outside the box. However, he can't make the most of the opportunity, rolling a tame effort straight at the keeper. Poor strike.

Cardiff's best chance of scoring in this match could well come from set pieces, with the likes of Caulker and Jones attacking the ball. However, they will need a better delivery than the one provided by Mutch here, as he sends it sailing into the arms of Speroni.

UPDATE: The match between Norwich and West Brom will be of great interest to both of these teams, and there has been a goal in that match now. It is bad news for Cardiff as the Baggies have taken the lead, Morgan Amalfitano making it 1-0 at Carrow Road.

Zaha is seeing a lot of the ball right now, but on four separate occasions he comes up with a disappointing final ball. Three crosses in quick succession go astray, while moments later he puts far too much on a pass down the line. Poor from the youngster.

Cardiff are beginning to settle into the match a bit more now and they are just about on top at the moment. The fans respond by cranking up the volume level, but most of their chants are directed at owner Vincent Tan who, it is fair to say, has not endeared himself to the supporters this season.

SAVE! Speroni has his first save to make, and it is a decent one down low to his left. Mutch played the ball into the middle and Campbell did really well to get above his man and direct a good header towards the bottom corner. Speroni would have been disappointed had it gone in, but it skimmed off the turf a little, forcing him to concede a corner.

The corner comes to nothing as the ball is cleared to the edge of the box and Medel's subsequent shot was blocked. Palace go up the other end and win a corner of their own, but Puncheon's delivery is too high for Jedinak.

SAVE! Puncheon advances down the right flank and moves into the box before creating space to shoot. His effort is disappointing again, however, as he drills it straight at the keeper, who makes another comfortable stop.

Really good defending from Mariappa as he stretches every sinew to nod Zaha's cross behind for a corner with Jones lurking. Moments later, Mariappa is almost caught out by Campbell sneaking in at the back post, but he gets away with it as the ball goes behind for a goal kick.

Busy few moments for Mariappa as he is involved again, sliding in to intercept Jones's pass towards Daehli. His interception looks for one second like it might creep past Speroni and into his own net, but he has directed it well enough for it to go a few yards wide for a corner.

Jones is not moving entirely freely at the moment, and it looks to be a slight problem with his lower back. He should be able to continue, but it is something that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will want to keep an eye on.

Palace take the lead out of nothing! The visitors came forward down the right flank as Ledley took on two defenders before slipping the ball inside to Puncheon, who moved it onto his left foot and drilled an effort into the bottom corner. How big could that goal prove to be?!

This match was already a must-win for Cardiff, but now they simply have to go more attacking. With West Brom also winning, they will be six points from safety as things stand stand, and that is having played a game more than the two teams above them. They need to find a way to break down Palace's resolute defence.

YELLOW CARD! Cameron Jerome becomes the first man in the book for a rash challenge from behind on Jordan Mutch. No complaints there, he scythed his man down on the halfway line.

YELLOW CARD! Joel Ward follows his teammate into the book for kicking the ball away. That is a silly caution to pick up, particularly with so long left in the game.

Cardiff fans won't want reminding, but Palace have not conceded more than one goal in a game in their last five outings. It is a big ask for a team that has only scored 29 goals all season to get back into this match.

Good defending from Dann as he gets an important block in on Jones, who was ready to pull the trigger from inside the area. Cardiff win a corner, but Speroni comes out to claim it.

UPDATE: There has been a goal at the KC Stadium where George Boyd has given Hull a 1-0 lead against Swansea. Manchester United have also broken the deadlock in their game against Newcastle, with Juan Mata giving David Moyes's side the lead.

An aimless long ball forward from Turner draws a chorus of boos from the home fans, who are beginning to get restless. The hosts have not played well so far today, and there are a lot of glum faces around at the moment.

There will be a minimum of two minutes added time at the end of this first half.

Phil Dowd brings an end to a poor first half from Cardiff's point of view. They have not played well and struggled to create any clear chances, only forcing Speroni into one save of any note. They trail 1-0 at the break and, with West Brom also winning, defeat today could all but see them consigned to relegation. They certainly need an improvement after the break.

The only goal of the game so far came from Jason Puncheon as he fired a low effort into the bottom corner after good work from Joe Ledley down the right wing. It could prove to be a vital goal in the relegation battle, sending the Eagles on course for an eight-point lead over the relegation zone.

Cardiff enjoyed 67% possession in that first half, but they have failed to do anything with it so far. The Palace defence has once again stood firm so far and look unlikely to be broken down in this match. The hosts have lacked the craft to unlock the defence, being forced mainly into long balls and crosses that have been comfortably dealt with so far.

Something needs to change for the hosts in the second half. They lacked any real quality in the final third in the opening 45 minutes and I wouldn't be surprised to see Solskjaer make a change at the break. Noone could be the man chosen having recently returned from injury, as Zaha has struggled to have a positive impact on the game so far, too often wasting his final ball.

Something needs to change for the hosts in the second half. They lacked any real quality in the final third in the opening 45 minutes and I wouldn't be surprised to see Solskjaer make a change at the break. Noone could be the man chosen having recently returned from injury, as Zaha has struggled to have a positive impact on the game so far, too often wasting his final ball.

In a first half short of goalmouth action, Puncheon had two shots that were comfortable for the keeper, while Campbell threatened with a header that was well saved by Speroni. That is the extend of the chances so far, but Cardiff will need to create more if they are to come away from this match with anything. They have everything to do in this second half.

In a first half short of goalmouth action, Puncheon had two shots that were comfortable for the keeper, while Campbell threatened with a header that was well saved by Speroni. That is the extend of the chances so far, but Cardiff will need to create more if they are to come away from this match with anything. They have everything to do in this second half.

UPDATE: Manchester United have doubled their lead at St James' Park early in the second half, with Juan Mata getting his second goal of the match.

KICKOFF: We're underway for a huge second half is the seasons of both sides. There have been no changes at the break, but I can't imagine it will be too long before we see a Cardiff sub if things don't improve.

KICKOFF: We're underway for a huge second half is the seasons of both sides. There have been no changes at the break, but I can't imagine it will be too long before we see a Cardiff sub if things don't improve.

Good play from Campbell as he bursts down the left flank, beating two players before reaching the byline. However, he can't get enough on his cross to find his teammates in the middle, and Jedinak is on hand to turn it behind for a corner.

SHOT! Palace come forward and have a three on three situation. The ball is fed to Ledley on the edge of the box and he moves it onto his left foot only to curl an effort high and wide.

Poor from Mutch as he chooses to have a go from a free kick around 35 yards from goal. He certainly gets plenty of power on it, but it flies well over the bar. Moments earlier, Daehli went down in the box under a challenge from Dikgacoi, but the ref correctly waved the claims away.

This is one of three home games remaining for Cardiff, another one of which comes against Chelsea. Considering they have the worst away record in the division, this really is a match that they cannot afford to lose.

Cardiff simply can't break this Palace defence down at the moment, and they don't look likely to do so either. The hosts end another attack with a long shot after failing to break through the 10 men behind the ball, and Mutch's strike deflects wide for a corner.

SAVE! Puncheon goes for goal yet again, taking the ball in his stride and not being closed down 25 yards from goal. His effort is straight at the keeper, however, and that is not the first time he has failed to get hold of one today. Still, his goal is the winner as things stand.

Cardiff's two centre-backs combine in attack as Turner sends the ball forward for Caulker, who wins his header but sends the effort over the top.

CARDIFF SUB: The first change of the afternoon comes from the hosts as Zaha makes way for Noone. Can the returning winger make an impact in the final half an hour or so?

Noone looks to make an immediate impact as he cuts inside from the right flank before trying to slip a ball through. The Palace defence just about deal with it, although they do so in unorthodox fashion as the ball is cleared straight at Campbell before bouncing out.

PALACE SUB: Tony Pulis makes his first change of the afternoon and it is quite an attacking one as Chamakh makes his return from injury, replacing Bolasie.

Half a chance for the hosts as Speroni comes to claim a cross but only flaps at the ball. It drops to Jones, but he can't steer his header on target and Palace escape. Nervy moments from the the visiting keeper.

YELLOW CARD! Dowd flashes a yellow card to Turner for a strong challenge on Puncheon as he looked to burst forward from midfield.

UPDATE: Fulham had taken the lead against Villa through Kieran Richardson, but Villa have since levelled things up courtesy of a Grant Holt strike. Elsewhere, United are now 3-0 up against Newcastle, with Hernandez getting their third goal.

YELLOW CARD! Gary Medel is caught in possession after some good work from two Palace players, and he trips Jerome from behind to stop the striker breaking free. He is booked as a result.

Oh, what a huge goal that is for both clubs! Chamakh is left completely unmarked from a free kick to nod an effort goalwards that Marshall does really well to keep out. However, he can only turn the ball into the path of Ledley, who prods it home from close range against his former club. No celebrations from Ledley, but that could prove to be a priceless strike.

CARDIFF SUB: In the immediate aftermath of that goal, Solskjaer hauled off Daehli and brought on Bellamy. Can the veteran turn this one around?

YELLOW CARD! Mariappa goes into the book for a cynical foul on Bellamy, who was looking to break away but pulled up after being caught by the defender.

The Palace fans are beginning to give their team the 'Ole!' treatment as they begin to take control of the ball. Cardiff fans are certainly not chanting for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as they begin to get more and more restless. This is a very damaging defeat for the Bluebirds.

YELLOW CARD! Joe Ledley is the latest player to go into the book for a tackle on Theophile-Catherine.

CARDIFF SUB: The hosts make another change as Jones departs to be replaced by Don Cowie.

PALACE SUB: The visitors also make a change of their own as Ledley makes way having received treatment, being replaced by Jonathan Parr.

It must be said that Cardiff are looking like a beaten team right now. Palace has been on top since the second goal went in, passing the ball around more comfortably as they look to see out the victory. They aren't used to having the comfort of a two-goal lead, and they are dealing with it professionally so far.

CHANCE! If Cardiff are to get back into this match then they need to score even the slightest hint of a chance. This is their best opening of the game so far as Campbell loses his man from a corner and nods the ball goalwards, but he can't steer his effort on target when he should have done better.

PALACE SUB: The visitors make their third and final change as Glenn Murray, who scored a hat-trick against Cardiff last season, comes on for Jerome.

UPDATE: More bad news for Cardiff as Fulham have regained the lead against Aston Villa, Hugo Rodallega making it 2-1 to the Cottagers. That would see Cardiff drop to 19th, while Sunderland would have three games in hand.

The Cardiff fans are flooding out of the stadium now, and it is hard to blame them. It has been a lacklustre display from the hosts and they have showed an alarming lack of determination to beat Palace in what the players said beforehand was a must-win match. Is there any way back for them this season?

Things just go from bad to worse for Cardiff. Their misery is compounded in spectacular fashion as Chamakh dummies the ball for Puncheon, who moves the ball onto his left foot before curling a magnificent strike into the top corner past a helpless David Marshall. What a way to seal the club's biggest win of the season!

The hosts will have to endure four more minutes of this as the fourth official raises his board to show the stoppage time. What a torrid afternoon for Cardiff.

The Palace fans are in party mood right now. 'We are staying up' is the chant, and it is hard to argue with them. This is a huge result for them and it would take an unlikely set of results for them to make an immediate return to the Championship now.

Puncheon comes forward again down the right and turns down the chance to find Chamakh in favour of going for his hat-trick. You can't blame him for that as he weaves in and out before squeezing a shot away, but it is easy for the keeper to collect.

What a huge victory that is for Crystal Palace to make it back-to-back wins in the Premier League. It is the Eagles' biggest win of the season in terms of goals, and it could also be their biggest win of the season in terms of importance. They are now seven points clear of the drop with six games to play, and survival is looking very much on the cards now. Tony Pulis has done it again.

As for Cardiff, where do they go from here? Both Fulham and West Brom have picked up three points, making it a nightmare weekend for the Bluebirds as they drop to 19th in the table. Is there anyway back for them? Stranger things have happened, but they face a mountain to climb if they are to remain in the top flight. This is a very damaging defeat and it would take a remarkable recovery for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to avoid the drop.

Right, that is all we have time for this afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole on what could prove to be a pivotal day in the relegation battle as Palace cruise to a 3-0 win over Cardiff. I will leave you with our match report and be sure to stick around for reaction and analysis, which will be on site shortly. There is more live football on offer in the shape of Chelsea vs. Stoke but, from me, it is goodbye for now!