After a solid victory over Bolton in mid-week Cardiff City, face a tougher home game today against Middlesbrough, who are ninth, and in the hunt for a top six finish. There is only 15 games left to the season with the carrot of promotion dangling in front of boss Neil Warnock.
Before Warnock was handed the manager’s job at the Cardiff City stadium there were strong shouts among fans for the now Middlesbrough boss Tony Pulis to be installed as Cardiff boss. He is a known Cardiff City fan (Pulis) but will be traveling to Cardiff looking to do no favours to the Welsh club in the dog eat dog world of points.
Cardiff are fourth in the league level on points with Derby and a point behind second place Aston Villa with both vying for that automatic promotion place along with Cardiff.
Games that matter for Cardiff it would be helpful if both home teams were to win.
Fulham v Aston Villa
Preston v Wolves
Over the last five games Cardiff are unbeaten and seem to have moved on from the dreadful Christmas period where Cardiff lost four league games on the trot. While the visitors have suffered two defeats over the last five games earlier in the season Cardiff beat today’s visitors 1-0 with a late goal.
Aron Gunnarsson could return to action as early as March having missed a hefty chunk of Cardiff City's campaign so far. Boss Warnock reckons the player’s fitness is at 75% and he is yet to train on grass according to the press. He is out of contract in the summer when if fit he has the World Cup to look forward to.
Cardiff will give striker Gary Madine a chance to prove his fitness after missing the midweek win over Bolton with a broken nose and an ankle problem. Warnock looks to have no other injury problems going in the game Craig Bryson, Kadeem Harris, and Matt Connolly all played their part in an under-23s game in midweek but may not be risked for Middlesbrough.
Middlesbrough are waiting on the availability of two former Bluebirds with injury niggles. Striker Rudy Gestede has had a back problem while a thigh issue means Fabio Da Silva may not be fit to feature in the game.
Upcoming games
Wednesday 21st February Ipswich Town v Cardiff City 7:45pm
Sunday 25th February Cardiff City v Bristol City 12pm
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