MX23RW : Wednesday, March 12 15:12:05| >> :600:182221:182221:

Preview: Cardiff City vs. West Ham United

Preview: Cardiff vs. West Ham
© PA Photos
Cardiff City and West Ham United will be determined to take a crucial advantage in the first tie of the playoff semi-finals tonight.

Cardiff City and West Ham United go head to head in the first leg of the crucial playoff semi-finals with both clubs eager to reach the top flight for next season.

The Bluebirds host the Hammers for the first tie, with manager Malky Mackay expected to choose from a relatively fit squad for tonight's clash.

Rudy Gestede made a late return to the side during Cardiff's 2-1 win over Crystal Palace last weekend, but the Scottish boss could opt for Kenny Miller and Joe Mason up front.

The Welsh side may also line up with Don Cowie in midfield alongside Liam Lawrence as they attempt to snatch the advantage over West Ham.

Meanwhile, Sam Allardyce is expected to start Gary O'Neil, despite the midfielder suffering an ankle injury during the Hammers' 2-1 win over Hull City last Saturday.

Club captain Kevin Nolan is expected to retain his spot in the middle of the park, with Carlton Cole and Ricardo Vaz Te due to lead the line for the former Premier League outfit.

Current form:

Cardiff: WDWWDW
West Ham: WDWDWW

Possible lineups:

Cardiff: Marshall; McNaughton, Hudson, Taylor, Turner; Whittingham, Lawrence, Cowie, Gunnarsson; Mason, Miller

West Ham: Green; Reid, Demel, Tomkins; Nolan, Noble, Taylor, Lansbury, O'Neil; Vaz Te, Cole

Sports Mole says: 1-2

ID:26057: cacheID:26057:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3454:
Written by
Danielle Joynson

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Carlton Cole
Read Next:
Cole still happy at West Ham
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd37247652282477
2Leeds UnitedLeeds362210472234976
3Burnley372015250113975
4Sunderland371912655342169
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom371317747331456
6Coventry CityCoventry37168135248456
7Bristol City37131594740754
8Middlesbrough37158145748953
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn36157144137452
10Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds37149145358-551
11Norwich CityNorwich371213125952749
12Watford36147154650-449
13Millwall361212123637-148
14Queens Park RangersQPR371111154248-644
15Preston North EndPreston37917113743-644
16Swansea CitySwansea36128163846-844
17Portsmouth36119164457-1342
18Oxford UnitedOxford Utd36912153753-1639
19Hull City36910173645-937
20Stoke CityStoke36812163650-1436
21Cardiff CityCardiff37812174061-2136
22Derby CountyDerby3798203749-1235
23Luton TownLuton3797213460-2634
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth36612183673-3730


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!