I know all of you will be at the ground, but spare a thought for the few of us glued to the radio this afternoon please log in to view this image V please log in to view this image NPOWER CHAMPIONSHIP Venue: Cardiff City Stadium Date: Monday 9 April Kick-off: 1500 BST Coverage: Watch highlights on The Football League Show; Full commentary on BBC Radio Wales & BBC Radio Cymru, score updates on BBC Radio 5 live and BBC local radio; text commentary on the BBC Sport website Line Ups: Cardiff Marshall, McNaughton, Taylor, Hudson, Turner, Whittingham, Cowie, Conway, Gunnarsson, McPhail, Miller. Subs: Heaton, Kiss, Earnshaw, Lawrence, Blake. Watford Kuszczak, Doyley, Nosworthy, Taylor, Dickinson; Buaben, Hogg, Eustace, Murray; Assombalonga, Deeney. Subs: Loach, Bennett, Garner, Iwelumo, Whichelow Form (Last 6 games). Starting from most recent match: Cardiff: WDDDDL - Points = 7/18 Middlesbrough 0-2 Cardiff / Cardiff 0-0 Millwall / Birmingham 1-1 Cardiff / Cardiff 2-2 Coventry / Cardiff 0-0 Burnley / Cardiff 0-3 Hull Watford: LWWWDW - Points = 13/18 Watford 0-2 Blackpool / Leeds 0-2 Watford / Watford 2-1 Ipswich / Bristol City 0-2 Watford / Watford 0-0 Coventry / Derby 1-2 Watford Team News: Cardiff could be without striker Kenny Miller who came off with a knee injury after six minutes of Saturday's win against Middlesbrough. Fellow forward Rudy Gestede is also a doubt after he picked up an ankle knock during the victory at the Riverside. Watford have no new injury concerns, although vice-captain Adrian Mariappa is still out with an ankle injury. Long-term absentee Stephen McGinn (ligaments) is close to full recovery, but is not yet ready for selection. Match Facts: Head-to-head These clubs have met 50 times in league and cup, and Cardiff have been victorious on 20 occasions. Watford have won 18 meetings, with 12 all square. Cardiff have lost only one of the last eight league matches against Watford, with a 4-1 reverse at Vicarage Road in December 2011. Watford last claimed three away points over the Bluebirds in September 2007, with an odd goal in three victory. Cardiff City Cardiff claimed their first win in six and took their unbeaten run to five, with a 2-0 away win over Middlesbrough on Saturday, which lifted them back into the play-off places. They are looking for a top six finish for the third time in four seasons. The last three league fixtures at the Cardiff City Stadium have been drawn, and there has not been a home win in five, since a 3-1 triumph over Peterborough on 14 February. Malky Mackay's side have a 50% winning record of home league games this season; 10 of 20. Watford The Hornets suffered a setback to their late bid for a play-off spot, with a 2-0 home defeat by Blackpool on Friday; their first loss in eight. It leaves them 13th, seven points off the top six. Sean Dyche's side are still chasing a fourth consecutive away league victory, which has not happened since November 2007. If on the field at the outset, Lloyd Doyley will be starting a regular league game in Watford colours for the 300th time. Goal Scorers: Cardiff Whittingham 12 Mason 10 Miller 10 Watford Sordell 10 Deeney 8 Forsyth 5 Personal Analysis The last matches for the respective sides may well have swung this game in Cardiff's favour. Cardiff had been in pretty average form, but the win against Middlebrough has put them back in the playoffs. They know that another result tonight will help them stay there. Watford were in fine form, but the loss against Blackpool all but ends their playoff hopes. Will they be able to match Cardiff's desire to win the game? Cardiff are Cardiff, however, and I would not be surprised to see a draw. But I think Mason is hitting form and the presence of McPhail over the last few matches has meant Cardiff are looking steadier. On the negative side, Cardiff have not been doing much at home. It has been awhile since we have seen a home win! Despite this, I will go for a 1-0 Cardiff win. Predictz Prediction: 2-2 draw Information was taken from BBC
Well thought out thread Siam. I think we are a better team with Macca in the mix but he only lasts about a hour, we are finding hard getting goals now, at the start of the season everyone was scoring. Mason is doing well but he needs help, we need the big boys from the back at free kicks and corners to do their stuff, Hudson, Big Ben & Darcy can all help out. Because of Malky being their manger last year Watford will have the desire to prove him wrong, so I expect a see-saw game with the Bluebirds ending on top and with 3 points.
Reading playing Brighton tomorrow, Hull and Middlesbrough today and Chops and JET to do us a favour against Leicester. A win today could put us 4 clear with 4 to go. Another big game for us.
I mentioned before the Boro game that Malky's old club today worried the more of the two. The Watford side will be fired up to stuff their former manager whose defection to us still appears to rankle in some quarters. I went for a City win in both matches and stuck down a 3-1 to us today, but that scoreline could equally be reversed. Don't want to think about it. So, will it be patience, or up and at 'em from the start? I'll go for the 3 in the first half and an organised shut out in the second (but I still reckon they'l score).
I think the MM issue has been diluted a little because they have performed so well this year. Now the playoffs seem to be out of reach for Watford, it just may mean that when it gets real tough out there today, we can find that little it more than they can. I am really nervous about this game!
Generally diluted maybe, but Sean Dyche will want to win this one over his old boss. He'll have them up for it, and the travelling fans won't forget last summer either.
Think they've been pretty decent in the recent past. I remember when they beat us at Ninian 2-1 not long after they came down from the Prem (2008?) and they were very vocal and gave us some stick. Whatever, hope however many make the trip, they go back up the M4 with bugger all to celebrate.
As far as i know we will be close to selling out our allocation. We have sold out our coach travel and a supporters group has hired another so there will be a few of us. I think this will be a great match, both sides have a chance of the play-offs albeit slim with about 6 teams capable of getting the last 2 spots. But WFC have to play 3 teams of those 6 after today, so points there change everything!! I think it will be 1-1/1-2, it will be very physical and crappy. If the ref realises this and you man up and dont fall over whenever we challenge, it will be a good match. If not i can see the officials ruining the game, AGAIN! Feel free to visit our Match thread. There will be 20 or so hornets on there and there is always good banter before, during and after the match. http://www.not606.com/showthread.php/135685-Match-Thread-Cardiff-City-v-Watford
Cheers bhd, I'm glad there will be a few Hornets there always better with a bit of atmosphere, so save trip to all those travelling. Just about to make my way down to CCS with hope in my heart. Come on your Bluebirds.
Also if Watford "man up and dont fall over everytime we challenge" ?..................takes two .....;O) just off for a beer and then down to our beloved CCS ....COM ON CITY .....
You wont have to worry about us falling over. Our fans have often complained because our players try to stay on their feet too much. We dont like to fall over.
Just seemed like you were implying that Cardiff City players do thats all .................maybe you put it down incorrect? ......;O)
It was more a reference to the last few refs we have. They have been so gullible its stupid. So much so that the ref in our last match asked for a stewards escort from the ground to his car.
General decline, I am afraid. Watched Wigan and QPR get shocking decisions against them this weekend. Hope the game doesn't have any controversial decisions!
I don't think you can question Watford's desire to win this game. I think the possibility of the play offs is still keeping the players going. If results go our way today, then we'd be 4 points off....so you never know. This is definitely a "win or look to next season" game though.
I have to agree. I've seen those decisions and the extent to which they affected the matches, and by comparison the referee we had against Blackpool almost looks competent.
dan, we've had a few shockers recently too... and clowns with flags. siam, I agree. The problem with the Prem officials is if they cock up they get dropped down to the Championship and we all have to put up with them right, I'd better get a move on. CCS in the rain...lovely!
Official #watfordfc ‏ @wfcbadgemoose #watfordfc team v Cardiff: Kuszczak; Doyley, Nosworthy, Taylor, Dickinson; Buaben, Hogg, Eustace, Murray; Assombalonga, Deeney (2 changes Buaben for Yeates and Assombalonga for Iwelumo) Official #watfordfc ‏ @wfcbadgemoose #watfordfc subs v Cardiff: Loach, Bennett, Garner, Iwelumo, Whichelow
