Aiming to record back-to-back wins in the second tier, relegation-threatened Cardiff City will welcome Coventry City to South Wales on New Year's Day for a Championship battle.
The Bluebirds enjoyed a much-needed victory at promotion-chasing Watford on the weekend, whilst the Sky Blues played out a goalless draw with Millwall.
Match preview
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Despite dismissing former head coach Erol Bulut near the beginning of the campaign, Cardiff City have continued to struggle in the 2024-25 Championship term under the stewardship of Omer Riza, who has been given the role as boss in South Wales until the end of the season.
The Bluebirds enjoyed a serious dose of festive cheer during their final match of 2024 on Sunday afternoon, though, when a brilliant brace from Callum Robinson secured all three points at the home of Watford, ending Cardiff's highly-concerning nine-game winless run after almost two months.
Recording a much-needed triumph at the Hornets' Hertfordshire home last time out, Cardiff have moved up to 22nd place in the Championship standings as the division welcomes in the New Year, just the single point behind Hull City in the relative safety of 21st position.
Winning four and losing seven of their 11 Championship matches at the Cardiff City Stadium during 2024-25, the Bluebirds are the only side in the division who are yet to experience a share of the spoils from a home contest, with only Hull (11) collecting fewer than Cardiff's 12 points across respective home fixtures.
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Following a sobering 4-1 defeat at the base of relegation-threatened Portsmouth on December 21, Coventry City have returned to Championship action after Christmas Day in impressive style, collecting four points across a pair of battles with Plymouth Argyle and Millwall in the Midlands.
The Sky Blues were the latest second-tier outfit to batter Wayne Rooney's Green Army on Boxing Day as Josh Eccles netted an unexpected brace during the 4-0 thumping, and three days later Frank Lampard's troops picked up a share of the points at home to managerless Millwall.
Losing just two of their seven second-tier matches since the arrival of former Chelsea and England star Lampard in late November, Coventry have moved themselves up to 15th spot in the Championship table, seven points above the relegation zone and nine points behind the playoff picture.
As is the case with the majority of the teams in the second tier, the Sky Blues have struggled to regularly post victories on the road during 2024-25 to date, with the Midlands outfit winning just two of their 12 Championship away contests so far.
Team News
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Cardiff are severely missing the creative presence of midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who played four league matches at the start of the season before sustaining a muscular issue.
The Bluebirds' options at the top end of the pitch are reduced further by the absence of Chris Willock, with the 26-year-old picking up a knock at Vicarage Road on the weekend.
Wednesday's hosts are also unable to call upon the talents of engine room enforcer David Turnbull, who is expected to be sidelined for the majority of January with a hamstring strain.
After firing a blank at home against a stubborn Millwall side on Sunday, Lampard could opt to freshen up his Coventry attack on New Year's Day, with Ellis Simms and Brandon Thomas-Asante pushing for starts.
In truth, the Sky Blues are craving the goalscoring abilities of Haji Wright, but the American marksman is currently in the medical room because of a leg issue.
Cardiff City possible starting lineup:
Alnwick; Daland, Goutas, Chambers; Rinomhota, Siopis, Robertson, O'Dowda; Robinson, Tanner, Ashford
Coventry City possible starting lineup:
Dovin; Van Ewijk, Thomas, Latibeaudiere, Bidwell; Eccles, Sheaf; Sakamoto, Torp, Rudoni; Simms
We say: Cardiff City 1-1 Coventry City
After a shock success at Watford on Sunday, Cardiff will be looking to record back-to-back wins for the first time since the middle of October.
The Bluebirds will fancy their chances of doing so against a Coventry side who are without the services of both Wright and Ephron Mason-Clark, but we believe that a share of the spoils will be the order of the day in South Wales.
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Carter White
