Premier League: Cardiff v Tottenham match preview

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

Roberto Soldado (left) will feature for Tottenham against Cardiff (AP)

51 years have passed since Cardiff last hosted Tottenham in the top flight, a 1-1 draw featuring the likes of Jimmy Greaves, Danny Blanchflower and Les Allen. This time around, the Premier League debutants have an unbeaten home record to defend and Spurs will be playing their third game in eight days, much to manager Andre Villas-Boas' chagrin.

Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall has recovered from an ankle injury sustained on international duty. Also back to fitness is Welsh international Craig Bellamy, now at his sixth Premier League club. Andreas Cornelius, though, continues to wait for his top-flight debut after limping off in the win over Accrington Stanley last month.

Villas-Boas' rotated Spurs squad eased past Tromso in midweek, but summer recruits Paulinho, Christian Eriksen and Roberto Soldado should return to the fold. The Portuguese is confident that Mousa Dembele, Younes Kaboul and Danny Rose will be fit, despite picking up injuries against the Norwegian side, while defender Vlad Chiriches is free to play having finally received his work permit. Etienne Capoue and Aaron Lennon are the only certain absentees.

KICK-OFF: Sunday, 4pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Tottenham 4 (Lennon, Keane, Malbranque, Defoe) Cardiff 0, FA Cup, January 2007

Tottenham 0 Cardiff 0, FA Cup, January 2007

Tottenham 1 (Sheringham) Cardiff 0, League Cup, January 2007

STATS…

Cardiff are one of five Premier League teams, alongside West Brom, Norwich, Stoke and Southampton, not to have scored a first-half goal this season.

Despite attempting more shots than any other side (59, excluding blocks), Tottenham have only scored four times.

No Premier League club have played a higher percentage of long balls (over 35 yards) than Cardiff, with 15.4%.

ODDS…

Cardiff to win: 4.7

Tottenham to win: 1.92

Draw: 3.65

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10:25pm