Cardiff City defender Sol Bamba is likely to be fit after a groin injury as the Bluebirds look to strengthen their case for automatic promotion. Midfielder Joe Ralls is in contention having missed eight games with a hamstring problem and defender Jazz Richards [ankle] is close to a return. Nottingham Forest striker Daryl Murphy is training again after a calf injury. Defender Joe Worrall and midfielder David Vaughan are out and boss Aitor Karanka has said he will make changes. Cardiff are without Nottingham Forest loanees Armand Traore and Jamie Ward, while Forest are unable to field Cardiff loan midfielder Lee Tomlin. SAM's prediction Home win 67% Draw 20% Away win 13% SAM, the Sports Analytics Machine, is a super-computer built by @ProfIanMcHale of the University of Liverpool. Match facts Cardiff have won seven of their last eight league matches against Forest, drawing the other. Nottingham Forest have only picked up one point from their last five league visits to Cardiff (W0 D1 L4) since a 2-0 win in November 2010. Nottingham Forest have conceded a league-high 24 goals via set-pieces (including penalties) this season - 12 of which have come from corners, another division-most. Junior Hoilett has provided 11 assists in league competition this season, as many as he made in his previous four campaigns combined (122 apps, including play-offs). Cardiff's victory over Norwich last time out was their 25th in the Championship this season - their joint-most wins in a single season in the second tier alongside 2012-13 (a season in which they won the title). Forest have failed to score in 18 different league games this season - only Birmingham and Burton (both 20) have done so more often.
Won't be here for this one. Heading off down to Dartmouth this morning for a week's cottage break. Been to this place before - no Sky TV there but it's got wifi - I've got SkyGo so I'll be watching it on my laptop. Three points all important so a scrappy 1-0 will do, but if we're going to improve our GD to try to match Fulham then this should be the game to go for it. Midfield selection will determine the intent. I can't see Warnock making Gunnar sit this one out, so it's Grujic on the bench for me with Ralls (if fit) and Pato in there as the other two. Bryson who can't play against Derby in the next one should be able to run his socks off, so could be a starting option if Ralls is still doubtful.
Part timer eh OS Woke early today thinking whether City can pull off 3 wins....glass certainly half empty this morning after last nights disappointing result. Could Birmingham or Sunderland help us out if needs be? Got to doubt that very much. Enjoy the seaside!
To be honest I thought Millwall would get a point at least last night. Given that, I bet Fulham will drop points against those two although I wouldn't expect them to in normal circumstances. Having said that, all we've got to do is win our own games........
Forest have failed to score in 18 league games this season.......wow, that is some statistic, what is the betting on them scoring tonight? Sparkey?? Winky and Wannky are stirring!
Sorry Masky - haven't got time to look, signing off now ready for the jaunt down to South Devon for the week. Will log back in this evening (if the wifi down there is working ) and give you an update on the best bets....
Derby out of the playoffs as it stands, not sure if that’s good as they will be desperate to beat us...or they may feel down and out!
Need Birmingham to have to have something to play for when they play Fulham. Think it’ll be too late for Sunderland though.
They all count Masky. Just wish we could make things easier for ourselves . But we never do that. Derby now so important.
I need a lie down - that was draining to watch! Gunners best game by far since return from injury. Not good for heart when Bamba decided to pass it the length of the back 4 to Forest’s best player....too many mistakes in him to be one of best Championship defenders...
Morrison not in any Championship teams He is just awesome. How that ref missed 2 blatant penalties on him (and that elbow on Paterson) yet he gave a mysterious penalty to Birmingham down here recently! Nail biting stuff! Fixtures fall nicely for Fulham. 5-0 v Sunderland (at least) and a stroll v safe from relegation Birmingham. Can’t they have one game when Lady Luck deserts them Nervy stuff to come for us bluebirds at Derby with the recent history plus at goal nap/leaky defence Hull. At least thank gawd we’re still in it after tonight’s rollercoaster
