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Preview: Carling Cup semi-final - Cardiff City vs. Crystal Palace

Preview: Cardiff vs. Crystal Palace
© PA Photos
Crystal Palace travel to Cardiff City holding a 1-0 advantage as the two Championship clubs go head-to-head for a place in Carling Cup final.

One of these Championship clubs is potentially just 90 minutes away from a Wembley date with either Liverpool or Manchester City.

Palace currently hold the advantage in terms of scoreline, having won the opening leg between the two sides 1-0 at Selhurst Park.

However, Cardiff now have home advantage and have only lost on two occasions at the Cardiff City stadium this season.

Bluebirds manager Malky Mackay has a near fully-fit squad to pick from for the tie, which could see a start for Kenny Miller in attack.

Mackay's opposite number Dougie Freedman has made several changes to his starting lineup in recent weeks, although he is expected to name the strongest side possible for the trip to Wales.

Despite reported interest from Manchester United, Nathaniel Clyne is expected to start at right-back.

Current form:

Cardiff: LDWWDW
Palace: WLWLDL

Possible lineups:

Cardiff: Heaton; McNaughton, Hudson, Turner, Taylor; Conway, Gunnarsson, McPhail, Whittingham; Earnshaw, Miller.

Palace: Lewis; Clyne, McCarthy, Gardner, Parr; Zaha, Garvan, Ambrose, Scannell, Murray, Martin.

Sports Mole says: 3-1

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Written by
Liam Apicella

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