Cardiff City v Palace

Cardiff City Stadium, Saturday 3.00pm

Action

Team news

Eagles boss Neil Warnock should welcome back injured trio Stern John, Freddie Sears and Claude Davis.

John has been out with a dislocated elbow he suffered on the opening day of the season and on-loan West Ham striker Sears sprained his ankle against Scunthorpe last month.

Davis could make his second debut for Palace after overcoming a hamstring injury and virus. Jose Fonte has also recovered from a virus but Victor Moses is a doubt due to a thigh injury.

Cardiff midfielder Stephen McPhail misses out as he recovers from an operation on his neck. Striker Ross McCormack could start after having two months out with a hamstring injury. Full-back Kevin McNaughton has overcome his ankle problem and is set for a return to the squad.

Mark Kennedy is doubtful with a slight hamstring spasm, Joe Ledley has a minor pelvic problem but should be fit, along with teenage right-back Adam Matthews (ankle).

Quotes

Roy Hodgson

"Cardiff have a fantastic side, I’ve no doubt whoever finishes above them will get promoted automatically. They had that dreadful disappointment of missing out on the play-offs last season.

"To be honest. I was surprised as anyone. I think if they had made the play-offs, they would have gone up. But they have bounced straight back this season and that is the mark of a strong side. From our point of view, I don’t think we are going to set the division on fire to be straight with you.

"The win at West Brom was very pleasing. We’d had a good week prior to it where we talked about a few things and got back to basics. We felt we could go there and win and we did. To be honest, 4-1 flattered us against Blackpool. We had to really battle, but we’ll take it.”

Mark Hudson

"It's always a hard match when you go up against a side managed by Neil Warnock. They are on a great run themselves and will be working extremely hard to keep their momentum going.

"Obviously we are feeling confident going into the game but I'll be warning my team mates that they're in for a testing afternoon.

"It’s been on my mind that the game is coming around because I had four-and-a-bit good years at Palace. I owe a big thanks to the managers I played under there because they set me on my way.

"With our home form I hope we get a win but it’s going to be a tough afternoon. Most people know how hard Neil Warnock’s teams work and we’ve got to be ready for that."

Cardiff City - league stats

Full league table

Cardiff City - current form

Full form table

Last five results

Date	Type	Home Team	Score	Away Team
11/04/2009	League	Crystal Palace	0 - 2	Cardiff City
15/11/2008	League	Cardiff City	2 - 1	Crystal Palace
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

All time results

Ref watch

Steve Tanner

Last meeting

Palace 0-2 Cardiff City

Saturday April 11 2009

Palace: Speroni, Clyne, McCarthy, Davis, Hill, Rui Fonte (Pinney, 89), Derry (Comley, 46), Carle, Moses, Kuqi, Stokes (Cadogan, 80)

Subs not used: Lawrence, Hills

Bookings: Hill, Rui Fonte

Cardiff City: Taylor, McNaughton, Gyepes, Roger Johnson (Comminges, 45), Kennedy, McCormack, Rae, McPhail, Ledley, Chopra (Parry, 38), Bothroyd (Eddie Johnson, 77)

Subs not used: Heaton, Whittingham

Goals: McCormack 22 (pen), McCormack 90

Bookings: Bothroyd, Rae

Prediction league

0 members have predicted for this game so far.

Make your prediction on this game

Away travel info

Click here