Cardiff City travel to Southampton this afternoon, looking to keep their faint survival hopes alive.
Ole Gunnar Solksjaer's men are six points from safety with just five games to go and face a Southampton side who have won three out of their last five games.
Artur Boruc and Gaston Ramirez face late fitness tests for the home side, while Jay Rodriguez is out for a long time after his bad knee injury last week.
Cardiff have injury problems of their own with Craig Noone, Kenwyne Jones and Ben Turner all expected to miss out.
Follow all the action with Sports Mole's live coverage below. Please note that the match kicks off at 3.07pm.
Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of today's game at St Mary's!
Cardiff City are the visitors today and it looks like being a tough test for the Welsh side who have won just once in their last nine league games, conceding 23 goals in that period.
Southampton meanwhile were a little unlucky to lose 4-1 at Manchester City last week, though their home form has been excellent. They've scored four goals in each of their last two games at St Mary's and despite the loss of Jay Rodriguez to a serious injury last week, you would fancy the hosts to grab a goal or two today.
Perhaps it would not be too far to suggest that time has already run out for Cardiff. There are only four games left after today and the Bluebird are six points from safety. A win today could really put a new spin on their situation but I'm afraid I really can't see them getting anything against a Southampton side who had produced some wonderful football this season, particularly in the last few weeks.
The stats are stacked against Cardiff too! Their last league win at Southampton was in 1962 and the Saints were three up inside 27 minutes in the reverse fixture on boxing day.
Cardiff have only won once against a top-half side this season, against Manchester City back in August and have only won five out of their last 27 points available. On top of that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side have conceded 20 goals in their last seven games.
I must say that I expect goals today, and not just from Southampton. The pressure will be off Cardiff in a way as most people believe that they are already down. They have several talented players in their attack and if Southampton are even slightly complacent, they will be punished. That said, the hosts' attack is very formidable. Adam Lallana has been one of the stars of the season and Rickie Lambert is one of only nine players in Europe's top division to reach double figures for both goals and assists.
TEAM NEWS! The teamsheets are in so let's take a look at the two sides...
Southampton XI: Gazzaniga; Chambers, Fonte, Lovren, Shaw; Cork, Schneiderlin, Davis; Ramirez, Lallana, Lambert
Cardiff City XI: Marshall; Theophile-Catherine, Caulker, Cala, Fabio; Daehli, Whittingham, Medel, Kim, Mutch; Campbell
Substitutes
Southampton: Cropper, Clyne, Wanyama, Ward-Prowse, Guly, Hooiveld, Gallagher
Cardiff: Lewis, Turner, Eikrem, Gunnarsson, McNaughton, Zaha, Bellamy
Solskjaer has understandably decided to pack the midfield against a Southampton side who love to press high up the pitch. There will be a lot of defensive onus on Mats Daehli and Jordon Mutch, while Gary Medel will have the thankless task of picking up the roaming Lallana.
Southampton are pretty much unchanged from last week's defeat at Man City and also played a similar side in the 4-0 win against Newcastle United the week before. The Saints will of course be without Jay Rodriguez and while Gaston Ramirez will provide less of a goal threat, his guile in the final third could prove important against a stubborn Cardiff back line. Southampton have also benefited from a settled defence recently, last week's result apart, while Jack Cork's form has also been impressive.
A reminder that today's game will kick off at 3.07pm, as all English games kick off seven minutes late today as a mark of respect on the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.
Cardiff really need to defend well if they are to get anything out of today's game. Southampton have scored in all but five of their 33 games this season, and only Liverpool and Manchester City can better that record.
Cardiff's inspiration could come from their bench today. While Southampton's is very talented, it is not really filled with players that can change the way a game is going. The likes of Wilfried Zaha though, unpredictable as he may be, can worry defenders, quieten the crowd or even score a goal from nothing.
The Southampton players are all warming up in number nine shirts today in support of Rodriguez. As I've mentioned, the England striker has been ruled out for six months due to a knee injury and will miss the World Cup as well as the start of next season.
Here are the Saints players heading out in those t-shirts.
VINE: The lads emerge to warm up in number nine shirts. #saintsfc https://t.co/n213dESFgT
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) April 12, 2014
PREDICTION: With around 15 minutes until kick off it is the time where I put my neck on the line. I've said that I expect goals and must admit that I envisage a comfortable victory for Southampton. If Cardiff score first anything can happen but if the hosts get their noses in front, they could run away with it. Southampton 4-1 Cardiff.
This game could easily turn into attack against defence if Cardiff are not careful. Southampton move the ball around the pitch very well, with Lallana roaming from the left and Davis supporting from midfield. Ramirez will also have something a free role while Lambert likes to drop off the front and link play. Cardiff need to really concentrate at the back, something they haven't been able to do in recent weeks.
The Cardiff fans are in good voice with five minutes to go. It's a wonderful day down on the south coast and they won't want Southampton to dampen their spirits.
And here come the sides. Caulker and Lallana lead the sides out to loud applause ahead of the game.
The sides switch round before gathering on the centre circle for a minutes silence for those who lost their lives at the Hillsborough disaster 5 years ago.
KICKOFF: KICK OFF! Southampton get the game underway!
CHANCE! Lallana breaks on the left and feeds Shaw on the overlap. The left-back fires across the box but Caulker nicks the ball of Lambert's toes. Bright start.
A short period of possession for Cardiff but it's all in their own half and eventually Southampton force them to go long, allowing the hosts to regains the ball.
Southampton are getting on to the front foot now. Davis feeds Ramirez twice in quick succession but Caulker deals with it before Chambers collects the ball but sees his cross headed away.
CHANCE! Great chance for Cardiff as Cala heads down from a free kick but Mutch's air shot from the middle of the box means Southampton can get the ball away.
Schneiderlin finds Ramirez, who flicks the ball wide to Davis. His crossfield pass finds Shaw and Southampton continue to work the ball from side to side in the Cardiff half. A poor touch from Cork allows Cardiff to win the ball back though.
Shaw wriggles in his own half and spreads the ball wide. He collects it again halfway up the pitch and crosses for Chambers but the ball goes out for a goal kick.
CLOSE! Lambert expertly flicks the ball into Lallana's path. The England man controls the ball into the area but Cala manages to scramble it away. Southampton come again though as Lallana finds Davis on the right channel, but his shot from a tight angle goes harmlessly wide. The hosts are starting to get through now.
CHANCE! Campbell escapes Lovren and is bundled over right on the edge of the box. Whittingham fires it into the area but Gazzaniga punches the ball clear.
CLOSE! Southampton almost edge in front after a mix-up between Marsahll, Caulker and Theophile-Catherine. The goalkeeper eventually blocks the ball away. Moments later Lallana fires straight at the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.
Schneiderlin breaks from midfield and is found by Ramirez. He manages to get into the box but Marshall collects the ball. Straight away Southampton are back on the front foot as Shaw finds Lambert with a deep cross but his header goes over the bar!
CROSSBAR! Lallana has far too much space in midfield and jogs towards the box before slipping the ball wide for Ramirez. His fierce shot loops up off Caulker and smashes against the bar!
Some good play from Cardiff during a rare foray into the Southampton half. Daehli, Kim and Fabio link up well before the former whips the ball into the box. Mutch flicks on for Campbell but he heads wide on the stretch.
Shaw with an excellent break on the left, linking up with Ramirez and Schneiderlin before finding Lallana, who is fouled right on the edge of the box...
SAVE! Lambert lifts the ball up and over the wall but Marshall pushes it wide. Shaw keep it alive but the Cardiff goalkeeper gathers the cross.
Nice play again from the home side as Shaw and Lallana link up well on the left. Lallana's flick inside fails to reach Schneiderlin though, and Cardiff clear.
Cardiff try to push their full-backs forward and stop Southampton's relentless attack for a short period but the visitors still can't trouble the opposition defence yet.
Cardiff work the ball out of defence nicely but fail to cross the halfway line as Cork presses Whittingham. The away side have offered very little so far.
PENALTY SHOUT Big appeal from Southampton as Caulker leans into Shaw's cross and seems to block it with the top of his arm. The referee is unmoved though and Cardiff break.
CLOSE! A series of excellent corners from Whittingham have Gazzaniga scrambling. Southampton get the ball away at the third time of asking and break forward quickly but Cork shoots harmlessly over.
Cardiff seem to have weathered the first half storm but Southampton still look dangerous on the break. More settled from the away side now though, despite the high pressing from Southampton.
HALF TIME! Cardiff manage to go in level despite a dominant half from the home side.
Southampton will be disappointed after that first half. Despite their domination it is still goalless and although they hit the post, there have been few clear cut chances on either side.
Cardiff will be pleased that they are not behind. It has been far too easy for Southampton to advance into the final third and if the hosts had taken a bit more care, then Cardiff would be behind right now.
It is difficult to see what more Cardiff can do. It they push up more then there will be even more space for Southampton to create chances. Solskjaer might be tempted to bring Zaha or Bellamy on and just go for it.
The Cardiff players are back out for ther second half as we approach kick off. What words of wisdom has their manager offerd to them?
Cardiff get the game back underway!
Similar start to the first half in this second period. Southampton easing their way back into the game as Cardiff start brightly.
Shaw is enjoying the freedom of the left side at the start of this half. He picks the ball up twice in quick succession, first crossing poorly before cutting inside and firing wide with his right foot.
Southampton have set up their camp back in Cardiff's half again. Lallana and Ramirez are seeing a lot of the ball but the hosts are still failing to get behind the opposition defence.
CHANCE! Southampton up the tempo on the left as Shaw's cross is poorly cleared and falls to Lallana in the box. After a couple of clever turns he lays the ball back for Davis, whose shot is blocked.
Southampton continue to be frustrated by Cardiff. Their failure to get through the defence is due to their reluctance to play the ball wide and at a higher pace. It is easy for Cardiff to defend at the moment.
SAVE! Gazzaniga palms the ball away as Mutch breaks well and fires the ball at goal from the edge of the box. Cardiff's best moment of the match.
SUBSTITUTION! Zaha replaces Gary Medel in an attacking change for Cardiff.
CHANCE! Cork finds Ramirez with and excellent pass. The flag stays down but Ramirez fails to control the ball and ti goes out for a goal kick.
GOAL! Southampton 0-1 Cardiff (Cala)
Well, well, well. Cardiff get themseles in front with an excellent goal. A free kick from the halfway line is headed to the edge of the box where the central defender is on hand to control and volley in with his left foot!
SUBSTITUTION! A couple of changes for the hosts as Clyne and Gallagher come on for Ramirez and Chambers.
The goal has breathed new life into Cardiff as Daehli and Zaha combine on the left to earn a throw. Southampton eventually win it back but the away side are doing much better now.
The game is more even than it has ever been now. Cardiff are passing the ball more confidently and as Southampton pour forward there are spaces to exploit on the break.
CHANCE! Southampton work the ball well as Lambert nods the ball down to Lallana, who controls well but slics the ball wide from the middle of the box!
Good play from the home side again as Shaw breaks inside towards the box and lays the ball right for Lambert. His cross just evades Gallagher as Southampton up the tempo again.
SAVE! Superb save from Marshall to deny Gallagher from point-blank range, after and excellent chip over the top from Schneiderlin!
SUBSTITUTION! McNaughton replaces Fabio for Cardiff. Guly comes on for Southamtpon.
Southampton find Lambert with a couple of big diagonal passes but Cardiff read it and defend comfortably.
SAVE! Another great stop from Marshall! Southampton work the ball well on the left. It eventually falls to Clyne, who strikes with his left foot from the edge of the box but a big hand from the gaolkeeper tips it wide.
Southampton seem to be running out of ides a bit. Marshall collects a deflected through ball but gives it straight back to the hosts with a long kick.
SUBSTITUTION! Bellamy comes on for Daehli.
MISS! The ball falls to Lambert at the back post after a corner but the England striker tamely pokes it wide.
SAVE! Wow! What a run from Zaha! The winger picks the ball up on the halfway line and beats Fonte for strength and then for pace. He then dips inside Lovren but sees his shot blocked well by the goalkeeper.
Anywhere will do for Cardiff now after that chance to seal it. Four minutes of added time.
FULL TIME: Southampton 0-1 Cardiff City
Wow! What a result for Cardiff City. I don't think there were a lot of people who saw that coming, myself included, and Cardiff have kept alive the great escape.
Southampton will be kicking themselves. They failed to really test Marshall during an easy first half when they controlled the game, and in the second were denied by two good saves. They seemed to lack their usual intensity in the final third, particularly in the second half and perhaps missed Jay Rodriguez this afternoon.
Thanks for joining me today and make sure you stick around for all the latest reaction on Sports Mole.
Written by
Daniel Cross
Daniel Cross
