Cardiff City v Stoke City: Premier League match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at Cardiff City Stadium

Juan Cala gave Cardiff a crucial victory

Cardiff’s win at Southampton last week had Ole Gunnar Solskjaer talking again of the miracles his players believe they can perform to stay up. And, if they beat Stoke, they will end the day level on points with Norwich, who are currently outside the relegation zone.

If that is supreme motivation for the Bluebirds, Stoke, on the other hand, should be relatively relaxed. They are mathematically safe, and currently sit in the top half of the table. However, this seems to have inspired them rather than leading Mark Hughes’ men to slack off, and Stoke are currently on their best run of the season.

If Cardiff get three points, their chances of survival will take a huge boost – if they fail to win, then next week’s meeting with Sunderland will gain even more pressure.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS:

Stoke City 0 Cardiff City 0, Premier League, December 2013

Cardiff City 0 Stoke City (Walters 2), FA Cup, January 2011

Stoke City 1 (Tuncay) Cardiff City 1 (Chopra), FA Cup, January 2011

STATS:

Cardiff have conceded 9 goals in their last two home games

Stoke have won five of their last seven games – they had only won six in 27 league matches before that

Cardiff have been unable to beat Stoke in any of the last 7 meetings between the sides, going back to November 2006

Only Fulham have conceded more times than Cardiff, who have let in 64 goals in the league this season

Stoke have only won twice away from home this season – the worst record in the league, along with Norwich and Cardiff.

Mark Hughes’ team are just four points away from equalling their highest ever tally in the Premier League

ODDS:

Cardiff City to win: 2.5

Stoke City to win: 2.75

Draw: 3.4

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10.30pm