Liverpool fans may now truly believe in their side's title credentials following the convincing thumping of Manchester United at Old Trafford last weekend.
Steven Gerrard scored two out of three penalties to see the Reds victorious by a 3-0 scoreline at the home of their fierce rivals and current English champions
They are now four points adrift of Chelsea, but have a game in hand on the Premier League leaders, who host another title challenger, Arsenal, in the Saturday lunchtime kickoff.
Brendan Rodgers's men will be looking to pounce on any slip-ups when they travel to Cardiff City for a 3pm kickoff, but the points are just as crucial to the relegation-threatened home side.
The Bluebirds saw a valuable point stolen from them when Seamus Coleman's miskick snatched Everton a 2-1 victory at Goodison Park last weekend. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be hoping to enjoy better luck against the red half of Merseyside who have won their last five top-flight games.
With Lucas Leiva and Mamadou Sakho now back in contention following lengthy spells out with knee and hamstring injuries respectively, Jose Enrique is Liverpool's only senior fitness concern.
Rodgers could name the same side that brushed aside United, but may consider recalling playmaker Philippe Coutinho in place of midfielder Joe Allen against the division's second-worst defensive unit.
Cardiff's fragile backline, whose 52 goals conceded in 29 matches this season is better only than rock-bottom Fulham, remains without injured trio Ben Turner, Andrew Taylor and Mark Hudson.
Cala, a goalscorer against Everton last weekend, is likely to continue at centre-half and Kevin Theophile-Catherine may also retain his place if Solskjaer opts to stick with a 5-3-2 formation.
The former Old Trafford favourite could recall loanee Wilfried Zaha and choose Frazier Campbell over Kenwyne Jones up front as Cardiff's United alumni plot revenge for last week's humiliation.
Recent form
Cardiff: LWLLLD
Liverpool: WWWLWW
Possible starting lineups
Cardiff: Marshall; Fabio, Cala, Caulker, Theophile-Catherine, John; Noone, Medel, Kim, Zaha; Campbell
Liverpool: Mignolet; Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Flanagan; Sterling, Gerrard, Henderson, Coutinho; Sturridge, Suarez
Sports Mole says: 1-3
Joe Fish
