Premier League: Cardiff vs Sunderland match preview

A look ahead to this week’s Premier League fixture at the Cardiff City stadium

Callum Hoare
Thursday 26 December 2013 14:24 EST
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Malky Mackay remonstrates on the sidelines during Cardiff's 3-0 loss to Southampton
Malky Mackay remonstrates on the sidelines during Cardiff's 3-0 loss to Southampton (GETTY IMAGES)

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Sunderland gave their survival chances an unexpected boost after sealing a win against Everton, but they will have to step up to the mark if they want to have any chance of remaining in the top-flight division. They come into the clash with the lift of a potential return for defender John O’Shea. However, the Black Cats are still without goalkeeper Kieren Westwood and centre-back Carlos Cuellar through injuries, with Wes Brown also missing the game due to suspension.

Former Norwich keeper David Marshall, who moved to Cardiff in 2009, will be looking to replicate his performance at Carrow Road in the goalless draw against the Canaries. However, the Scottish international will have to pull off a better performance than last week, after Luis Suarez showed Cardiff why he is the top scorer in the League.

Malky Mackay will be looking to climb the table with a convincing win, after chairman Vincent Tan told him to resign or be sacked last week. Mackay heads into this game with the fans on his side despite his team scoring only two goals in the last six games, and only a single injury concern, in the form of Craig Bellamy.

Kick-off: Saturday, 5.30pm

Past three meetings:

Cardiff 0 Sunderland 1 (Wallace), Championship, March 2007

Sunderland 1 (Brown) Sunderland 2 (Chopra) Championship, October 2006

Sunderland 2 (Breen, Stewart) Cardiff 1 (Vidmar) Championship, February 2005

Stats:

These two sides have never met in the Premier League before

Cardiff have won just one of their last seven games

The Bluebirds have lost just a single game at the Cardiff City Stadium in the last four

Sunderland are still without a win away from home

Odds:

Cardiff to win: 2.2

Sunderland to win: 3.5

Draw: 3.3

TV: Live on Sky Sports at 3.00pm, highlights on BBC1 at 10:25pm

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