Cardiff v Crystal Palace

Posted Tuesday, September 28, 2010 by BBC.com

Npower Championship
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium Date: Tuesday, 28 September Kick-off: 1945 BST
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, BBC local radio & highlights on The Football League Show

TEAM NEWS
Influential Cardiff pair Craig Bellamy and Seyi Olofinjana are both unlikely to be involved against Crystal Palace.

Bellamy has been sidelined for the past three weeks with a knee injury, while Olofinjana has been missing for a fortnight with a thigh problem.

Crystal Palace are without striker James Vaughan, who begins a three-match ban following his red card at Derby.

Last season's top scorer Darren Ambrose is missing with a leg injury, and Anthony Gardner (ankle) is a doubt.

MATCH PREVIEW
These two clubs are experiencing a similar contrast in fortunes to last season, when Cardiff just fell short of promotion and Crystal Palace narrowly averted relegation.

Cardiff might be a distant second to leaders Queens Park Rangers, but they are second nonetheless and will expect another three points against a Palace side with the worst away record in the English leagues.

The south London side have yet to score, let alone earn a point, on their travels this season, and they shipped five goals at Derby on Saturday.

Manager George Burley cited his side's inexperience as the reason for their struggles, but admitted it was time for his punch-drunk players to stand up and be counted. A knockout performance is long overdue.

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

• Cardiff are unbeaten in eight games against Crystal Palace (W4, D4).

• Palace last beat Cardiff at Selhurst Park in February 2006. It is more than six years since the south London club last won this fixture in Wales (2-0 in April 2004).

Cardiff

• Cardiff are vying to clinch a fourth successive home league win for the first time since January 2009.

• The Bluebirds are undefeated in 11 home league games. They have won eight and drawn three since defeat by Barnsley in February.

• Cardiff have conceded just seven Championship goals so far; only Queens Park Rangers have a tighter defence.

• Gavin Rae could make his 150th appearance for Cardiff.

Crystal Palace

• Crystal Palace have lost five of their last seven league games.

• They have failed to score in four of the last five outings.

• George Burley's side have the worst away record in the division, having lost all four games without scoring a single goal.

• Palace have not lost five straight away league games since November 2003.