Cardiff City v Newcastle - Live on Sky - Last Home Game

Last home game of the season for Cardiff City but it should be a lively game with Premiership bound Newcastle the visitors. There is an outside chance that Newcastle could be promoted champions if they win tonight and their final game next weekend and Brighton lose their next two games.

The game is live on Sky Sports 7pm.

To finish in the top half on the Championship league table, which looked like a pipe dream before the arrival of manager Neil Warnock, is all the Bluebirds are playing for now. We looked like relegation fodder scraping for points. Warnock has been a breath of fresh air at the club and I personally have faith in him for next season.

You can guarantee Warnock will want something out of the game. A win would be nice bloodying the nose of Newcastle and having some revenge on them for the 2-1 earlier in the season.

Speaking pre-game to press and media, he told them there was pride at stake.

“We need to put a good performance on in front of the TV cameras. With Newcastle, coming it’s a game that whets the appetite. It will be a good crowd and the Geordies will be coming to celebrate, said Warnock.

“Hopefully we can put one over on them. I was delighted they won on Monday because it adds more spice to our game. That’s what I was hoping for really."

“It’s about tidying up our own house, putting our own house in order. I will imagine we’ll be mid-table bookies wise next year because there will be some big teams, big clubs, and it will be difficult to get into that top area but that’s what we’ve got to strive for – first to get into that top 10, then the top six.

“That’s why I’m here, to have an opportunity like that.”

It is expected Cardiff will be at full strength against the visitors from the North East. Goalkeeper Allan McGregor missed the goalless draw at Wigan through illness but has trained this week and will replace Ben Amos. Top scorer Kenneth Zohore has been offered a new deal and will be fit after being rested at Wigan following a heavy workload.

Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez will be without half a dozen senior players. In terms of injuries, they have had some players playing with problems. Captain Jamaal Lascelles will sit out the Championship game along with Grant Hanley, Vurnon Anita and Jesus Gamez.

Matt Ritchie will serve a two-game ban after admitting a Football Association misconduct charge relating to an incident in the tunnel after the Leeds United game.

Off the pitch, the taxman raided Newcastle. Many rumours but nothing official from either the club or the taxman. They asked for 10,000 tickets for tonight’s game but settled for 6,000 and in the end could only manage to sell over 3,000 after Cardiff expecting the large number moved season ticket holder to other seats to accommodate them.

On a sad note, it could be the last chance for Cardiff City fans to see Peter Whittingham playing for the Bluebirds with him being out of contract this summer. There has been no offer of a new contract and he should get rousing ‘Thanks’ and good luck on is future.