Cardiff City v Palace

Ninian Park, Saturday 3.00pm

Action

Story so far

Cardiff have found themselves in the top six but have lost their last couple of games. Cardiff's results seem pretty average and with their reliance on one goalscorer, they could soon come unstuck.

Mark Kennedy has enjoyed his time in Wales. He feels that this is the best opportunity for promotion for a good number of years and he enjoys the graft that others put in for him.

“It helps when you have players around you who have ability and respect for each other. If you’re not on your game or things aren’t going for you there are 10 other players who will lift you and help you. That’s important."

So it seems Kennedy has got the players to do the running for him, allowing him to do what he does best - taking one or two set pieces.

If we manage to ge a win over Cardiff, it should help reduce the gap between us and the top 6 if results go our way.

Team news

Julian Speroni is expected to remain between the sticks for Palace, despite picking up a groin injury in the 2-0 win over Coventry City.

Craig Beattie will continue to spearhead the attack after his loan spell has been extended.

Leandre Griffit will be looking for a place on the bench after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Cardiff City centre-back Darren Purse will face the Eagles after having his red card against QPR last weekend overturned by the FAW.

Ex-Palace midfielder MARK KENNEDY could replace Miguel Comminges in the lineup, as he was also sent off against QPR.

Michael Chopra will make his first return to Ninian Park following his loan move from Sunderland.

Cardiff City - league stats

Full league table

Cardiff City - current form

Full form table

Our away record v Cardiff City

Last five results

Date	Type	Home Team	Score	Away Team
04/03/2008	League	Crystal Palace	0 - 0	Cardiff City
06/11/2007	League	Cardiff City	1 - 1	Crystal Palace
30/12/2006	League	Cardiff City	0 - 0	Crystal Palace
14/10/2006	League	Crystal Palace	1 - 2	Cardiff City
04/02/2006	League	Crystal Palace	1 - 0	Cardiff City

All time results

One to watch

Ross McCormack

McCormack joined Cardiff in June for about £120,000 from Motherwell. Not a bad fee considering he's already banged in 12 goals - 11 in the League. Actually, scratch that - he's injured.

Joe Ledley finished last season as Cardiff's joint top scorer - not bad for a midfielder. He can either operate on the left flank, centre midfield or at left back.

He doesn't play as a tricky winger but will get himself up and down the line and will support his fullback as much as he can - which means whoever we have wide right could find themselves out of the game.

Ledley will generally take the safe option instead of risking losing the ball. He will get himself down the wing by exchanging passes and then hit a sweet left footed cross or shot.

Fortunately for us, he doesn't have that much pace so Lawrence (well it's bound to be him at right back) won't be troubled too much but he does have the close control and positional sense to help cause problems for hte defence.

Last meeting

Palace 0-0 Cardiff City

Tuesday March 04 2008

Palace: Speroni, Butterfield, Lawrence, Hudson, Hill, Ifill (Scowcroft, 26), Fletcher (Freedman, 63), Watson, Derry, Morrison, Moses (Scannell, 62)

Subs not used: Soares, Hills

Cardiff City: Enckelman, McNaughton, Loovens, Johnson, Capaldi, Sinclair (Ramsey, 71), Scimeca (Rae, 64), McPhail, Whittingham, Parry, Thompson

Subs not used: Oakes, Purse, Hasselbaink

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