Two former big teams go head to head in this important game for both sides. A nice three goal win for city will make us all feel comfortable again. A defeat does not bear thinking about...so a win it is then! Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Giles Cake has been ruled out of the game with a foot injury but should recover in a couple of weeks. Defender Reda Johnson made his return to action last weekend and could be involved once again. Cardiff will be without first choice centre-backs Mark Hudson and Ben Turner who both have ankle injuries. Billy Connolly and Miss Nugent could link-up in the heart of the visitors' defence again. MATCH FACTS Head-to-head • This is the 60th league meeting since they first engaged in December 1920, and Cardiff hold a narrow 24 wins to 23 lead over Sheffield Wednesday. • Craig Conway made history in the reverse fixture in December. His 80th-minute goal secured a 10th successive home win of the season for the Bluebirds, and gave the chance of a first double over the Owls in seven years. • But Wednesday are hoping to notch a fourth successive home Championship victory over Cardiff. Sheffield Wednesday • This home fixture with top-of-the-table Cardiff, completes Sheffield Wednesday's programme against the current top eight clubs, five of which were won and 10 lost. • Dave Jones plots tactics against the club he managed for six seasons from 2005, guiding them to the FA Cup final in 2008, and a top-four finish in his last two campaigns but failed to successfully negotiate the play-offs. • The Owls have won a third of their league matches (12 of 36) but have lost nine times at Hillsborough; only Peterborough have suffered more home defeats in this division. Cardiff City • Back-to-back 1-1 draws, and one win in five has seen Cardiff's 11-point lead at the top of the table erode to four in just over a month. • The Bluebirds, who are yet to visit Hull and Watford - their nearest rivals for automatic promotion - are chasing a fifth double against a bottom-half club, and a sixth in all. • Peter Whittingham is set to make his 300th Cardiff appearance, and Aron Gunnarsson could make his 200th in English league football.
With two centrebacks out, I think we need 5 in the middle to provide some protecion to the back 4. Doesn't give us the attacking options we want, but the two CBs may fnd themselves exposed having not played together before.
Hull have the most difficult game of the top 3 but this is still a very big banana skin for us, as is Barnsley for Il Watfordano, so unless we are a busted flush we should get the win our league position indicates we will get as long as the whole squad are totally committed to the task Lets get that GAP back ......starting with the Wendies
Team. Marshall, Taylor, Nugent, Connolly, Barnett, Whittingham, Gunnarsson, Cowie, Helguson, Campbell, Bellamy (c). subs Lewis, McNaughton, Mutch, Kim, Conway, Smith, Gestede.
Helguson with something to prove, hope he provides a brace,...he must be showing it in training. I can't believe he will stick with favourites (Cowie), if he wasn't convinced!
He's playing two up top again and leaving the midfield to sort itself. Can't believe he's starting with Helguson up there with Fraizer, and leaving quality like Mutch and Kimbo on the bench. If we pull this one off, I'll be delighted (and surprised).
As Sparks said earlier in the week, and feared, he has gone for the conservative option with Cowie down the right and Bellers on the left. Noone was injured first half on Tuesday hence not appearing second half. Strong bench though with plenty of options. Hope they are not needed.
Wednesday having the better chances but quite even. Apparently Gunnars throw ins are causing problems?
I really didn't think MM would be such a conservative manager! We have lost that ability to score. Hope to see some positive subs in the second half and we go for a strong win. Seriously draws won't get us promoted!
