Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what could be a pivotal match in this season's Premier League relegation battle as Fulham travel to South Wales to take on Cardiff. The league's bottom two know that they can't afford to lose touch with those above them, making this a must win encounter for both sides.

We'll start with a look at our hosts tonight, and owner Vincent Tan may quietly be regretting his decision to sack Malky Mackay earlier this season. With the Scot in charge, Cardiff were outside the relegation zone and very much in with a chance of staying in the division. However, they now sit just one place off bottom and would find themselves propping up the table with a loss this afternoon.

It is fair to say that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has not had the desired effect since joining the club, winning just one of his eight league matches in charge, losing six and drawing the remaining one. That sole victory came at the Cardiff City Stadium against Norwich on February 1, since when they have only managed to pick up a solitary point.

Their winless streak now stands at five games in all competitions, while they have also managed just one Premier League victory in their last 12. During that time they have also lost nine games, which is relegation form in any league in the world. Things will have to improve sooner rather than later if they are to avoid an immediate return to the Championship, and Solskjaer will certainly be eyeing today's game as a chance for that to happen.

Things are no better at home, which is a particularly worrying trait for Solskjaer and Cardiff. Relegation candidates usually rely on their home form to drag them out of the mire, but the Bluebirds have only won one of their last seven home games in all competitions. They will not need reminding what happened the last time they played here either, as fellow strugglers Hull thumped them 4-0.

Ironically for a team managed by a man who was such a potent striker in his day, it is in front of goal that Cardiff really struggled. They have found the back of the net a measly 19 times in their 28 games this season, the joint lowest tally in the league with Crystal Palace. They are coming up against the division's worst defence this afternoon so, if they can't score today, they may not stand much chance of staying up with the likes of Everton and Liverpool coming up.

Cardiff have failed to score in their last four league outings, totalling 399 minutes without a Premier League goal. That run of failing to score stretches back to not finding the net in seven of their last nine and 11 of their last 16. Overall, they have drawn blanks 16 times in the league this season, which is the highest number in the top flight.

At the other end, things aren't much better. Only today's opponents Fulham have conceded more league goals this season, with Cardiff's defence being breached 49 times in 28 games. Needless to say, they need to improve in both defensive and attack if they are to stand any chance of recovering the three-point gap that separates them from safety.

That three-point gap may not appear to be a insurmountable task on first glance, but it is worth noting that the three teams above the bottom two all have at least one game in hand over them. That makes Fulham's position at the bottom of the table, four points off 17th-placed West Bromwich Albion, seem even more perilous, and the Cottagers know that they need to start picking up points soon if they are to stay in contact. Today would be an ideal start.

Victory this afternoon would lift Fulham off the foot of the table, a position that they have occupied since February 1. It is manager Felix Magath's third match in charge and he is still looking for his first victory as manager. Indeed, Fulham have now gone nine games without a win in all competitions and six without picking up three points in the league.

Much was made of Magath's appointment due to his reputation as a formidable taskmaster, but if he can guide the Cottagers to their first league win since New Year's Day this afternoon then that would go a long way to endearing him to the fans. Their woeful goal difference of -34, the worst in the league, means that they will not climb any higher than 19th, but it would certainly be a valuable stepping stone for the Londoners.

That goal difference is mainly down to their defensive record this season. Only West Brom have scored more in the bottom six of the league, with Fulham averaging a goal a game, but their defence has been far too leaky. I have already mentioned that it is the worst in the top flight, but just how bad is it in comparison to other leagues? Well, no team in the Bundesliga, La Liga or Serie A have conceded more than Fulham's 62, while only Crewe (63) have let in more from the 92 Football League teams in England. You simply can't expect to stay in the top flight with figures like those.

Fulham's recent away record will not fill the fans with confidence either. They are without a win in their last seven on the road, although overall this season they have not fared too badly on their travels. Indeed, they have picked up more points away from home (11) than they have at Craven Cottage (10), so Magath could well be relying on their away form to keep them in the division.

Today's match pits an intriguing battle of the league's joint worst attack against the league's worst defence. While Cardiff have failed to score in more games than any other side this season, Fulham have failed to keep a clean sheet in more games than any other side. They have managed to keep the opposition at bay just three times all season, which goes a long way to explaining their woeful 'goals against' tally.

The last time that they kept a clean sheet away from home in the league was on their first away outing of the season, when they beat Sunderland 1-0 at the Stadium of Light. That was 13 matches ago, although Magath will be viewing today's game as a candidate to end that poor run.

TEAM NEWS: Right, the team news is in for both sides, and the big news is that Kostas Mitroglou makes his long-awaited full debut for the visitors. Cardiff welcome Mutch, who scored the winning goal the last time these teams met, and Medel back into the side, while Zaha and Bellamy are forced to settle for a place on the bench.

CARDIFF STARTING XI: Marshall; John, Caulker, Turner, Fabio; Medel, Kim, Mutch; Noone, Jones, Campbell

CARDIFF SUBS: Lewis, Eikrem, Cala, Theophile-Catherine, Daehli, Zaha, Bellamy

FULHAM STARTING XI: Stekelenburg; Riether, Heitinga, Hangeland, Riise; Dejagah, Sidwell, Holtby, Richardson; Mitroglou, Woodrow

FULHAM SUBS: Kvist, Kaçaniklic, Stockdale, Karagounis, Zverotić, Burn, Bent

So, what can we make of those two teams? Well, Cardiff will be delighted to welcome the trio of Medel, Mutch and Noone back into the side after all three have spent time on the sidelines recently. Medel could be an important player for the hosts this afternoon as he looks to plug the gaps that the likes of Holtby and Sidwell like finding. He is a tenacious midfielder, and teams fighting against relegation need that sort of player in their team. Mutch, meanwhile, will need no introducing to Fulham fans having scored a wonder goal against them to clinch a 2-1 win for Cardiff in the reverse fixture.

Up front, Cardiff have plenty of Premier League experience in the likes of Jones and Campbell, especially when you consider Bellamy on the bench as well. Jones and Campbell will look to establish a big man/little man partnership, which has proven to be successful if you can find the right components. In truth, with Zaha available as well, they have enough quality attacking options to warrant more than their 19 league goals this season.

Defensively, Cardiff strengthened over the two transfer windows since their promotion to the Premier League, bringing in Caulker from Spurs and Fabio from Manchester United. Caulker is highly rated and it speaks volumes that he was named in the recent England squad despite Cardiff's defensive troubles this season. He captains the side today and could be vital to keeping out Fulham.

The duo trying to find a way past Caulker is an intriguing experiment from Felix Magath. Kostas Mitroglou was brought in for big money during the January transfer window, but fitness problems and troubles getting used to the English lifestyle have delayed his full debut until today. He arrives with a big reputation having carved out a very impressive goalscoring record in Greece, but the Premier League is a step up from that, and it will be interesting to see how he adapts.

Completing the unfamiliar frontline is 19-year-old Cauley Woodrow, who makes his Fulham and Premier League debut this afternoon. He was on loan with Southend United earlier this season, scoring two goals in 19 appearances for the League Two side. Magath has taken a big risk on the youngster today, and it remains to be seen if he is up to the task. He will certainly be an unknown quantity for the Cardiff defence.

Elsewhere, the midfield of Fulham has arguably been their most important component this season. Sidwell has continued to perform at a relatively consistent level despite the team's struggles, while the acquisition of Holtby in January could prove to be a shrewd one. They have fewer flair players than they once had, but you get the feeling that Magath wouldn't have taken too kindly to the likes of Bryan Ruiz and Adel Taarabt anyway.

The defence has certainly been battered and bruised this season, and they will be desperate to stop the flood of goals that they are conceding this season. On paper, it looks like a relatively solid backline, but the likes of Hangeland and Riise haven't performed to the standards they set themselves a few years ago and Fulham will need them to return to form as soon as possible.

PREDICTION: Right, we're 10 minutes from kickoff in South Wales, which means that it is time for my match prediction! This is a tough one to call and, to be honest, I wouldn't be too surprised if it went either way. The league's worst attack against the league's worst defence should make for an intriguing clash and it is hard to predict whether this will be a high scoring match or a low scoring one. I'm so undecided that I'll shoot straight down the middle and go for a 1-1 draw - a result neither side would be particularly happy with.

Cardiff are in fact looking for their third consecutive league win over Fulham. One of those, of course, came earlier this season when they triumphed 2-1 at Craven Cottage, and another victory this evening would mark the first time that Cardiff have done the double over top flight opposition since September 1961, when they beat Chelsea twice in the space of a fortnight.

I mentioned earlier that all teams battling against relegation need an aggressive player like Gary Medel, but Cardiff actually have the best disciplinary record in the Premier League this season. They have received 34 yellow cards and no red cards which, while commendable, also points to a possible lack of steel within the team.

One of Fulham's problems this season has been lasting the distance in matches. They have conceded 68% of their goals in the second half of games, which is the highest percentage of its kind in the league. Magath's hard-working train technique could make them fitter to last the distance - or it could tire them out further.

There aren't many Premier League games on this weekend, but what there is we are offering you here on Sports Mole. You can find our selection of live commentaries here, and I will also be keeping you updated with events from around the country. There has already been one result in the top flight today as United cruised to a 3-0 win over West Brom, while Arsenal have also booked their place in the FA Cup semi-finals with a victory over Everton.

KICKOFF: Fulham get us underway in this massive relegation clash. It really is a must win encounter for both sides, so hopefully we will see a good game!

Decent start to the match from both sides on a sunny afternoon in South Wales. Cardiff have adopted a 4-3-3 formation, with Jones leading the attack and Campbell and Noone flanking him, while Fulham have lined up 4-4-2.

It has been a scrappy opening to the match with a lot of fouls being conceded. Referee Martin Atkinson has been busy already, although none of the challenges have warranted anything more than a free kick.

Cardiff get into a decent position as Jones flicks the ball on to Mutch, who in turn gives it to Campbell on the edge of the box. However, he tries to thread an ambitious pass into the box and only succeeds in putting it out for a goal kick.

The hosts are seeing more of the ball in the opening stages, but they aren't going anywhere with it. Fulham are simply set up in the defensive formation and preventing Cardiff from finding any holes. Very little is happening at the moment.

Clever free kick from Fulham as Heitinga slips a free kick into Dejagah, who has been left in far too much space over on the right side of the box. He shoots from a tight angle and slams his effort into the side-netting, but the space he had will be worrying for Solskjaer. It was terrible defending.

Kim shows good feet to slip the ball through the legs of Sidwell, drawing a foul from the Fulham midfielder. The free kick is in a good crossing position, but Mutch puts far too much on it and the ball flies behind for a goal kick.

This match was always going to be a question of whether the managers regarding it as a 'must-win' or a 'must-not-lose' games. Unfortunately, the opening stages suggest that it could be the latter as we are yet to have a single piece of goalmouth action.

SAVE! Finally, we have a shot! Campbell does brilliantly on the edge of the box, spinning away from three Fulham defenders before curling an effort towards the far corner that Stekelenburg has to save. It was a good height for the keeper and he would have always expected to save it, but at least it is a shot on goal.

SHOT! Fulham go straight up the other end and have an effort of their own as Kostas Mitroglou drills a low strike towards goal from outside the box, but it is straight at Marshall who makes the comfortable stop.

The first goal in this match could well be vital, which explains why the two teams have started this match with a cautious approach. I wouldn't fancy either side to come from behind to win this game.

Campbell tries to slip a pass through to Kenwyne Jones, who looks like he has broken free of the defence for a moment. However, the pass is too strong and the keeper collects it with ease.

CLOSE! Superb play from Noone as he races away from Sidwell and skips past Hangeland on his way to the edge of the box. He eventually goes for goal, but his low strike skims a couple of yards past the post. Bright run from the winger, though.

Richardson goes on a good run of his own, skipping past a couple of tackles before laying the ball off to Riise. He plays a good ball into the box for Dejagah at the back post, but it almost catches him be surprise and he fails to make anything of it. I'm not sure if the sun got in his eyes or whether he just though John would cut it out, but he should have done better there.

CHANCE! Decent chance for the hosts as Cardiff come forward down the right and Mutch swings a good ball in to Jones, who has peeled off his man. He rises well to get his head on the ball, but he is forced to readjust in the air and can't get enough power on his header to trouble the keeper. Not an easy chance, but a sight of goal nonetheless.

Moments later Noone comes forward again, running at the defence with the ball before flashing a shot high over the crossbar. He is certainly not afraid to have a dig, which will please Solskjaer even if the finish is lacking so far.

We're nearing the half-hour mark now and we're still waiting for our first good chance. Cardiff have enjoyed the better sights of goal thus far, but neither team has really troubled the opposition goalkeeper.

Cardiff come forward again as Mutch moves the ball to the left for Kim, who is bursting down the left. Kim tries to find Jones in the middle, but his cross takes a deflection that carries it comfortably into the arms of Stekelenburg.

Decent football from Fulham as they play some one-touch passes to momentarily open up the Cardiff defence. However, Campbell has tracked back really well and makes an important challenge to stop the attack in its tracks.

Nothing to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes as both teams continue to struggle to break down the opposition defence. It remains goalless in the two other 3pm kickoffs in the top flight, too.

I do expect this match to open up a lot more in the second half, mainly because a draw doesn't do either side any favours. Both teams are well and truly in need of all three points today.

Mutch picks up the ball in a dangerous area, but his shot is disappointing as he balloons it over the bar. That was not a dissimilar position to the one he scored from in the reverse fixture earlier this season, but he couldn't repeat those heroics this time around.

UPDATE: We have a goal in the Premier League! It has gone the way of Southampton, who have taken the lead over Crystal Palace courtesy of a Jay Rodriguez strike.

Holtby pings a diagonal ball towards Mitroglou inside the box, and the striker rises well to divert a header goalwards. However, he is under heavy pressure from the defender so can only send it harmlessly wide of the post.

Cardiff have a free kick in a good position, just within shooting distance. However, they try an elaborate move with Kim faking a pass one way before giving it to Noone, whose clipped cross into the box was easily dealt with. That was a waste.

The home fans are beginning to get restless at the end of this first half. It certainly hasn't been a memorable performance from either side, and neither look willing to commit too many men forward in the fear that they might get caught on the break.

CHANCE! Big chance for the hosts right on the stroke of half time. Mutch comes forward down the right and sends a low cross into the box that somehow finds its way to Jones at the back post. He is unmarked and goes for goal first time, but Stekelenburg makes a good save to deny the striker.

Huge moment in this match, and potentially in the fight against relegation! The ball breaks to Noone on the left side of the box and he drills a low cross into the middle that deflects of Riise into the path of Caulker. The skipper is in the right place to tap it into an empty net from the edge of the six-yard box, giving Cardiff a priceless lead.

What an end to the half that is for Cardiff. After an uninspiring first 45 minutes from both teams, the hosts came to life at the end of the half and now take an invaluable lead into the break. It looks to be a long way back for Fulham now as they have really not threatened at all so far. They will need to throw everything at Cardiff in the second half because, as things stand, relegation is all but inevitable.

It was the captain Steven Caulker who led by example in getting the goal with one of the last actions of the half, although there was an element of luck to it. The ball broke to Noone inside the area and his cross deflected off Riise into the path of Caulker, who had a simple finish into an empty net from the edge of the six yard box.

Just before that goal, the hosts spurned by far the best chance of the match as Mutch's low cross found its way to an unmarked Jones at the back post. He went for goal first time, but saw his effort well saved by Stekelenburg. The striker should have done better with his effort, and had he directed it closer to the corner then there would have been no way for the Fulham keeper to make the save.

Other than that, there hasn't been much action in either final third to be honest. If any team deserves to be leading it is Fulham as they have had a decent amount of shots, although the vast majority of them have been speculative efforts from outside the box that have not troubled the keeper. Campbell tested Stekelenburg with a curling effort in the 15th minute, but other than that there has been little to shout about.

Mutch and Noone have both looked bright for the hosts and caused Fulham's defence more problems than anyone else so far. Felix Magath will be looking to quell their influence in the second half, but in order to gain more of an attacking presence he will have to sacrifice some defensive matters.

KICKOFF: Cardiff get us back underway ahead of a huge 45 minutes in the seasons of both clubs. Fulham simply can't afford to lose this match, while Cardiff could distance themselves from the Cottagers if they can hold on.

Bright start to the half from the hosts as Mutch finds himself within shooting distance. He goes for goal, but sends his effort a few yards wide.

SAVE! That is Fulham's best moment of the match so far. Holtby finds himself in space just outside the box and goes for goal, arrowing an effort towards the bottom far corner. However, Marshall gets down well to make an important stop and push it wide.

CHANCE! Big chance for Cardiff to double their lead! Noone sends a long ball over to Jones, who has been left completely unmarked at the back post. He comes flying in to nod it goalwards from close range, but he steers his header wide of the near post. He had to at least hit the target there.

FULHAM SUB: That was a such a quick start to the half that I haven't had time to inform you that the visitors made a chance at the break, bringing off Riise for Kacaniklic. Magath also makes a change just five minutes into the half as Karagounis replaces Dejagah, who is carrying a groin injury.

SHOT! This has been better from Fulham already. They win the ball back in midfield and Kacaniklic has plenty of green grass ahead of him to run into. He carries the ball a long way before firing an effort comfortably wide of the post.

This second half has already been an improvement on the first. Both teams are looking to attack now, and it has raised the tempo of the game and the volume of the crowd. It is beginning to feel like the big match it is.

YELLOW CARD! Kim becomes the first man in the referee's notebook this afternoon for a late challenge on Karagounis. No complaints from the South Korean then, it was a reckless sliding tackle.

Half chance for Fulham as the ball comes fizzing in from a long way away to Mitroglou on the edge of the box. He tries to hit it first time, but only succeeds in slicing it high up into the air for Marshall to gather. It wasn't an easy chance, but the striker will be disappointed with his finish.

UPDATE: Norwich have now broken the deadlock in their match against Stoke City, with Bradley Johnson latching on to Robert Snodgrass's free kick to score.

Fulham are level! Holtby gets his first goal for the club, and what a timely one it could prove to be. Karagounis's corner was flicked on by Heitinga for Holtby to tap in from close range. It was the simplest of finishes for the midfielder, but Solskjaer will be wondering where on earth his defence were. Holtby was completely unmarked.

How can Cardiff respond to that? The goal will certainly give Fulham a boost, and they will now have momentum on their side as they look to push on and grab all three points. This match is very nicely set up for a huge final 30 minutes.

Kim's free kick causes havoc in the Fulham area, with Hangeland missing it and the defence unable to clear it. It drops to the feet of Caulker, but his poked effort towards goal is blocked and the ball is scrambled clear. Magath is livid with that defending.

SAVE! Poor defending from Fulham as they fail to react to a short corner from Mutch to Kim. The South Korean has time to shoot from inside the box, but the keeper makes the stop.

Caulker has his second of the match! A third corner in quick succession is sent into the middle, and the Cardiff skipper rises above the crowd to nod a solid downward header into the back of the net. Stekelenburg really should have done better as the header was pretty much straight at him, but Cardiff won't care about that one bit. Fulham have to do it all again now.

Who had Caulker to score twice, then? It has been a magnificent contribution from the skipper, right when his side needed him the most. If these goals kick-start a great escape then his substantial transfer fee in the summer will look like a bargain.

Wow, when luck is going against you, it really goes against you. Cardiff get a second in quick succession as a fabulous Noone ball is nodded goalwards from close range by Jones. Stekelenburg makes a fine first save, but the ball bounces back out and off Riether before trickling over the line, It is a really messy goal, but it could well be the one that hands Cardiff all three points.

CARDIFF SUB: Solskjaer makes a change immediately after the goal, bringing Campbell off and putting Mats Daehli on.

FULHAM SUB: Felix Magath makes his third and final change of the day as Mitroglou initially is called off before they change their mind and bring off Woodrow for Darren Bent.

A piece of poor communication almost undoes Cardiff's defence as Caulker clears the ball with Marshall rushing out behind him. It falls to Mitroglou, but his header loops wide.

SAVE! Fine stop from Marshall as he gets up to deny a Mitroglou snapshot. The ball fell to the Fulham striker on the edge of the box and he immediately lashed a first-time half-volley towards goal, but Marshall reacted well to turn it over the top.

Time is running out for Fulham now. They simply have to throw everything at Cardiff in these final 10 minutes as, as things stand, you would have to say that they face an uphill struggle to haul themselves out of danger. A goal in the next few minutes could change things.

CARDIFF SUB: Time for another Cardiff change as Gary Medel goes off to be replaced by Magnus Eikrem.

DISALLOWED GOAL! For a brief second Fulham think that they are back in this match, but their celebrations are cut short by the linesman's flag. A long ball came forward and Mitroglou flicked it on for Sidwell, who steered a diving header into the far corner. However, he had just edged offside as the ball was flicked on.

Good battling from Sidwell on the edge of the box as he persists against two defenders to win the ball and have a go at goal, but Turner is in the way to make an important block.

Things are getting desperate for Fulham now. They are still trying to come forward and make something happen, but they just look like they're lacking belief. There are 11 despondent Fulham players out there right now.

Kim carries the ball a long way on an increasingly rare venture forward for the hosts, but his eventual shot from the edge of the box takes a slight deflection and is easy for the keeper.

Nice play from Mitroglou as he takes the ball down on his chest inside the box before working space to shoot. His effort is disappointing, however, as it is straight at Marshall and easy for the Cardiff keeper to collect.

CARDIFF SUB: Turner will be unable to finish this match as he limps off injured to be replaced by Theophile-Catherine. Bellamy was initially meant to be coming on for Noone, but the injury changed Solskjaer's plans, much to the frustration of Bellamy.

There will be four minutes of additional time at the end of this match. The announcement was greeted by murmurs of discontent from the home fans, but they should be safe now.

Daehli comes forward at pace, running straight at Hangeland only for his compatriot to hold him up enough for his shot to be skewed well wide.

What a huge result that is for Cardiff. They claim all three points against bottom of the league Fulham to move up a place to 18th, where they are now level on points with West Brom. It is only Solskjaer's second win in charge of the club, and it may be a while before he gets a bigger one than that. If they go onto survive this season, they will look back at this afternoon as a pivotal moment in their campaign.

It was the captain Steven Caulker who made the difference this afternoon, scoring two goals to help his side to an invaluable victory. He gave them the lead in the first half before Holtby tapped in from close range to level the scores after the break. Caulker then got his second before a painfully unlucky own goal from Sascha Riether gave the hosts some breathing space.

Where do Fulham go from here? It is a long way back from them now as they remain four points from safety having played a game more than the majority of the teams immediately above them. The losers of this match were always going to be favourites for relegation and it must be said that it is hard to see Fulham climbing out of trouble now. They still have the likes of Man City, Everton and Tottenham to play this season, so today really was a must win game for them.

Right, that is all we have time for this afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what could prove to be a pivotal day in the Premier League relegation battle. Cardiff emerge victorious from the clash between the league's bottom two, handing their survival chances a massive boost and hammering another nail into the coffin of Fulham. I will leave you with our match report and be sure to stick around for reaction and analysis, which will be on site shortly. If it is more live football you're after, we have that too as Chelsea take on Spurs in a London derby. You can find coverage of that here. From me, though, it is goodbye for now.