Cardiff City are looking to boost their hopes of a top-half finish in the Championship by beating already-relegated Blackpool this Saturday.

They face a Tangerines side who are in the midst of a lengthy winless run and whose fans are still at loggerheads with the club's board.

Cardiff City

Cardiff fans may have hoped for a promotion push after relegation from the Premier League last season, but their current campaign has been disappointing.

The Welsh outfit quickly parted company with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after a poor start and the Norwegian was replaced by ex-Leyton Orient boss Russell Slade.

While Slade has at least steered the Bluebirds well away from danger, Cardiff have largely languished in the bottom half of the table, but can mathematically still finish in the top 12.

If they are to do that, they may rely on ex-Chesterfield striker Eoin Doyle to rediscover the form that made him one of League One's hottest properties prior to his move to South Wales.

However, their home form has been below-par with only eight victories to their name this season, and Cardiff were also left frustrated last time out when they were held to a goalless draw by relegation-threatened Millwall.

Their recent form has reflected their mixed season, having won two and lost two of their previous six outings. However, they may see Blackpool as an opportunity to register another victory at home.

Recent form: WDLWLD

Blackpool

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Blackpool supporters may be wishing for their nightmare season to come to an end, and for chairman Karl Oyston's tenure at the club to follow suit.

However, Oyston has found himself answering an FA charge of misconduct recently over an alleged angry exchange of text messages with one fan - a charge which he denies.

Inevitably, their relegation was confirmed at the start of this month and, despite a run of credible draws against Leeds United, Bolton Wanderers and Reading, Lee Clark's side have now gone 16 games without a win.

Blackpool's following may have been vociferous in their opposition to the club's board, but they could be forgiven for wanting to stay at home rather than travel to the Principality, having seen their side win none of their 22 games on the road so far this season.

The latest of those outings was a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of promotion-chasing Derby County at the iPro Stadium last Tuesday.

In all, the Lancashire outfit have been beaten 15 times away from home this season, although their home form is little better, with only four victories to the name at Bloomfield Road.

Recent form: DDDLLL

Team News

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Cardiff may be forced to play Doyle and Joe Mason in attack, with Conor McAleny unlikely to return after he was injured in the victory over Leeds United earlier this month.

City could also change in midfield with Fabio, who was dropped in favour of Craig Noone against Millwall, in contention to start.

Blackpool may look to continue with Tom Barkhuizen at right-back against the Bluebirds while Darren O'Dea, who recently returned from injury against Derby and last week's defeat to Fulham, looks set to remain in the starting lineup.

Clark also has to decide whether to keep Henry Cameron in attack alongside Gary Madine, having shown faith in the 17-year-old in recent games.

Cardiff City possible starting lineup:
Marshall, Peltier, Malone, Ecuele Manga, Morrison, Whittingham, Gunnarsson, Ralls, Fabio, Doyle, Mason

Blackpool possible starting lineup:
Parish, Barkhuizen, Clarke, O'Dea, Dunne, O'Hara, Perkins, Cubero, Cameron, Orlandi, Madine

Head To Head

If Tangerines supporters are looking for some solace, it could be in their recent record against Cardiff, who they have beaten on three occasions in the last six meetings, including a 1-0 win at Bloomfield Road back in October.

Their last visit to the Welsh capital was less enjoyable, however, as they were comfortably beaten 3-0 in September 2012 by a City side destined for promotion to the Premier League

Blackpool's last win at the Cardiff City Stadium came seven months earlier, courtesy of a goal from Kevin Philips and a brace from Matt Phillips in a 3-1 victory over the Bluebirds, who were still playing in Blue as well.

We say: Cardiff 3-0 Blackpool

Cardiff's form may have been indifferent of late, but it's hard to ignore Blackpool's woeful away record this season. That, combined with the 16-game winless streak, points us to a home win for the Bluebirds.

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