Cardiff City and Blackburn Rovers square off on Tuesday evening knowing that they could do with a win to ease any lingering concerns over a Championship relegation battle.
Although these teams sit in 14th and 17th position in the standings, just eight points separate the former and the bottom three.
Match preview
© Reuters
Having initially looked like they may be able to challenge for a playoff spot, Cardiff's season has unravelled since the middle of November.
Just 16 points have been accumulated from 17 matches, with the Bluebirds losing on 11 occasions to leave them in mid-table and 11 points adrift of the top six.
With just 14 games remaining, getting back into the mix is realistically out of their reach, the focus for Erol Bulut's side to avoid getting dragged into a relegation scrap.
Although there is an eight-point margin to 22nd-placed Queens Park Rangers, Cardiff are now one of the most out-of-form teams in the entire division.
Saturday's 4-1 reverse at Norwich City has heaped the pressure on Bulut, who will feel less secure in his position in the dugout than he has throughout this season.
Overcoming Blackburn would go a long way to securing safety, yet the same can be said for Rovers who are beginning a new era under John Eustace.
Four points have been accumulated from his opening three games, although he would have been disappointed to give up a two-goal lead at rivals Preston North End at the weekend and have to settle for a point.
On a positive note, it was a rare point on their travels for a side that had lost their previous six away fixtures in the second tier.
Eustace will be confident that his players can build on halting the improvement of Preston as they prepare to face opponents who are without a home win in five outings.
Team News
© Reuters
Given the manner of the collapse at Norwich having initially taken the lead, Bulut will make changes to his Cardiff XI.
Either David Turnbull or Ryan Wintle should be restored in midfield, while Kion Etete may get the nod over Rubin Colwill in attack.
Ollie Tanner could also come back into the fold after his recent return, but Aaron Ramsey is a doubt due to a knock that kept him out of the fixture at Carrow Road.
John Fleck is expected to miss out for Blackburn after his early withdrawal against Preston, with Jake Garrett in line to take his spot.
Ben Chrisene could replace Ryan Hedges at left wing-back, but Eustace may be against making further alterations if the remainder of the team are fit.
Cardiff City possible starting lineup:
Horvath; Romeo, Goutas, Phillips, Collins; Tanner, Siopis, Wintle, Wilson-Ebrand; Etete, Diedhiou
Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:
Pears; Hyam, McFadzean, Wharton; Brittain, Garrett, Tronstad, Chrisene; Dolan, Szmodics; Gallagher
We say: Cardiff City 1-2 Blackburn Rovers
With both teams in indifferent form, any result is possible in South Wales. There is an argument that each side will do their utmost to avoid defeat, yet we feel that Blackburn may be able to edge this contest in the closing stages.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
