Cardiff vs Portsmouth Preview

Last updated : 20 January 2012 By Jim Bonner

Pompey fans will be making the journey to Caerdydd tomorrow hoping for a better result than the first time at the Bluebirds' new stadium.

Team News

Hayden Mullins and Aaron Mokoena are likely to miss the game with calf and hamstring injuries respectively. David Norris is banned following his red card last week but Kelvin Etuhu is likely to go straight into the squad to face the team he was once on loan to.

Robert Earnshaw could be the biggest miss for Malky Mackay's men as he battles a muscle strain whilst Rudy Gestede is struggling with an ankle problem.

The Match

Once again, Michael Appleton faces a selection crisis due to injuries and suspensions. It seems so bad that the Pompey gaffer may only have 13 players to choose from tomorrow and so the youngsters are likely to at least get a place on the bench.

Still, there may be hope of getting a result here as the hosts haven't been in great form after their recent surge up the table and could have their minds on their midweek Carling Cup semi-final second leg with Crystal Palace, who they trail 1-0 from the first game.

I personally hope Earnshaw isn't fit tomorrow as he always presents a problem for Pompey defences it seems. Or maybe it's just my irrational hatred of him clouding my judgement?

There's also the likes of Peter Whittingham and Kenny Miller for the back four to be wary about. It's difficult to see how Stephen Henderson will keep a clean sheet tomorrow and given how we've struggled to score on the road, I'm not too confident going into this one.

But I've been proven wrong by this team many times before...

Predicted Starting Line-Ups

Cardiff

GK: David MARSHALL

RB: Darcy BLAKE

CB: Ben TURNER

CB: Mark HUDSON

LB: Andrew TAYLOR

RM: Don COWIE

CM: Aron GUNNARRSON

CM: Stephen McPHAIL

LM: Peter WHITTINGHAM

CF: Joe MASON

CF: Kenny MILLER

Pompey

GK: Stephen HENDERSON

RB: Adam WEBSTER

CB: Greg HALFORD

CB: Jason PEARCE

LB: Tal BEN-HAIM

RM: Liam LAWRENCE

CM: Kelvin ETUHU

CM: Joel WARD

LM: Erik HUSEKLEPP

SS: Dave KITSON

CF: Marko FUTACS

Click here for the Fratton Faithful Cardiff City Championship profile page.

Last Time: Cardiff City 3 Portsmouth 0 (Championship - 16/04/2011)

Seyi Olofinjana headed in Craig Bellamy's cross to give the Bluebirds an early lead and then Ricardo Rocha stupidly got sent off for pushing his face into Jay Bothroyd's.

Bothroyd then tapped in a second right before the break after Jamie Ashdown had parried Bellamy's shot. The Welshman then provided another cross for Whittingham to blast in a third from close range as Dave Jones' men cruised to victory.

My Prediction

Cardiff may have distractions but given our away record and our selection crisis I can only see a defeat on the cards, unfortunately.

Cardiff City 2 Portsmouth 0