MX23RW : Friday, November 15 04:08:39| >> :600:596368:596368:

Preview: Cardiff City vs. West Ham United

Preview: Cardiff vs. West Ham
© PA Photos
Cardiff City and West Ham United will be determined to take a crucial advantage in the first tie of the playoff semi-finals tonight.

Cardiff City and West Ham United go head to head in the first leg of the crucial playoff semi-finals with both clubs eager to reach the top flight for next season.

The Bluebirds host the Hammers for the first tie, with manager Malky Mackay expected to choose from a relatively fit squad for tonight's clash.

Rudy Gestede made a late return to the side during Cardiff's 2-1 win over Crystal Palace last weekend, but the Scottish boss could opt for Kenny Miller and Joe Mason up front.

The Welsh side may also line up with Don Cowie in midfield alongside Liam Lawrence as they attempt to snatch the advantage over West Ham.

Meanwhile, Sam Allardyce is expected to start Gary O'Neil, despite the midfielder suffering an ankle injury during the Hammers' 2-1 win over Hull City last Saturday.

Club captain Kevin Nolan is expected to retain his spot in the middle of the park, with Carlton Cole and Ricardo Vaz Te due to lead the line for the former Premier League outfit.

Current form:

Cardiff: WDWWDW
West Ham: WDWDWW

Possible lineups:

Cardiff: Marshall; McNaughton, Hudson, Taylor, Turner; Whittingham, Lawrence, Cowie, Gunnarsson; Mason, Miller

West Ham: Green; Reid, Demel, Tomkins; Nolan, Noble, Taylor, Lansbury, O'Neil; Vaz Te, Cole

Sports Mole says: 1-2

ID:26057: cacheID:26057:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3454:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Carlton Cole
Read Next:
Cole still happy at West Ham
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sunderland1594225111431
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1510321971231
3Leeds UnitedLeeds158522491529
4Burnley157621861227
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom15672169725
6Watford158162322125
7Middlesbrough157352317624
8Millwall156541813523
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn156451917222
10Bristol City155732019122
11Swansea CitySwansea155461110119
12Derby CountyDerby155461919019
13Stoke CityStoke155461819-119
14Norwich CityNorwich154652322118
15Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds155371725-818
16Oxford UnitedOxford Utd154561718-117
17Coventry CityCoventry154472021-116
18Plymouth ArgylePlymouth154471526-1116
19Hull City153661620-415
20Preston North EndPreston153661523-815
21Luton TownLuton154381726-915
22Cardiff CityCardiff154381423-915
23Portsmouth152671628-1212
24Queens Park RangersQPR151771225-1310


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!