Cardiff City and Swansea City meet in the South Wales derby on Saturday with the two teams having just one win between them in the Championship this season.
The Bluebirds, who occupy 19th position in the standings, currently sit two points clear of their winless rivals.
Match preview
© Reuters
When Erol Bulut made the decision to accept the Cardiff City job in the summer, he would have been aware that he faced a stiff task to revitalise a club that has spent much of their recent seasons battling relegation.
That may prove to be the case this time around with just four points being accumulated from their opening five games, three of which have ended in defeat.
Nevertheless, it is conceding late goals that has been their downfall, rather than the overall quality of their play, yet Bulut has a job on his hands to lift his players after the capitulation at Ipswich Town.
Shortly before the hour mark, Cardiff were two goals to the good, yet they ended up losing by a 3-2 scoreline courtesy of a 19-minute turnaround from the Tractor Boys.
At a time when they also do not have a clean sheet to their name, Cardiff are under pressure to hit back against their fierce rivals this weekend.
In previous campaigns, Swansea would have been viewed as the favourites to prevail, regardless of whether they were facing Cardiff home or away.
On this occasion, though, Michael Duff is still searching for his first league win in charge of the Swans, instead having to be content with two points from five games.
Each of their defeats have been by one-goal margins, the latter loss the most frustrating having initially held an early lead against Bristol City.
Despite the departure of Joel Piroe, Swansea should have enough quality to avoid a prolonged stint in the bottom third, yet they are becoming increasingly desperate to kick-start their campaign and will not want to be cut adrift from their next opponents.
- D
- L
- L
- W
- L
- D
- L
- D
- L
- L
Team News
© Reuters
Cardiff are hopeful that Aaron Ramsey will be fit to start despite his withdrawal early in the second half for Wales against Latvia on Monday.
Ike Ugbo could return to the starting lineup in place of Ollie Tanner on the right flank, but the remainder of the team could stay the same.
Meanwhile, Duff must decide whether to overly tinker with his Swansea XI in a bid to discover a winning team.
Joe Allen may be recalled to make it a five-man midfield, potentially at the expense of Oliver Cooper, but much will depend on Duff's approach to the game.
Harrison Ashby should retain his spot at right wing-back, but Harry Darling may get the nod in the three-player defence.
Cardiff City possible starting lineup:
Runarsson; Ng, Goutas, McGuinness, Collins; Siopis, Ralls; Ugbo, Ramsey, Grant; Meite
Swansea City possible starting lineup:
Rushworth; Cabango, Darling, Wood; Ashby, Patino, Grimes, Allen, Key; Cullen, Yates
We say: Cardiff City 1-1 Swansea City
With confidence relatively low in each of these camps, we are expecting a war of attrition over a match full of quality. In the end, though, we can only predict a share of the spoils, one that would not necessarily suit either team.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
