Cardiff City begin the new year with a tricky task against promotion-pushing West Brom

Cardiff City face a trip to high-flying West Bromwich Albion on Sunday as their difficult and disjointed season shows little sign of raising the spirits of Bluebirds fans.

Leandro Bacuna will miss the trip to The Hawthorns following a red card in Cardiff’s recent 3-0 defeat to Championship leaders Bournemouth. The Dutch-born Curaçaoan international has been heavily criticised after being dismissed for a rash challenge which made a tough task against the Cherries even harder.

Welsh international Kieffer Moore is also a doubt for Cardiff following a knock picked up on the South Coast.

The Baggies will be able to call upon Alex Mowatt and Karlan Grant for the visit of the Bluebirds, with the latter returning a false positive test prior to their last fixture against Derby County.

Despite their indifferent recent form, Albion sit firmly amongst the leading contenders under former Barnsley boss Valérien Ismaël.

Cardiff’s Boxing Day clash with Derby was postponed due to a rise in COVID-19 cases and their visit to the Baggies continues an unusual set of experiences for the Welsh club as the Coronavirus outbreak continues to affect the football season.

The Welsh Government has restricted attendances at major outdoor events, meaning that Cardiff, Swansea and Newport will play home games behind closed doors for the foreseeable future.

Such restrictions do not currently apply in England however and Cardiff fans are now forced to travel in order to cheer on their side. 1900 away fans are expected at The Hawthorns.

Cardiff City Supporters Trust chairman Keith Morgan, contemplated this unusual situation following the trip to Bournemouth.

Morgan criticised the lack of clarity over attendance rules and the differing regulations between Wales and England which, he believes, are causing confusion and frustration.

“We have had a need to produce COVID full vaccination proof for games at the Cardiff City Stadium but then didn’t need to at away games.

“Then changes mean that our home games are behind closed doors even for those with full vaccination status, yet large numbers of our fans are able to travel to away games in England, mixing freely in the ground and on transport to and from games with no social distancing requirements.”

This is just the latest twist in an increasingly difficult season for Steve Morrison’s side. The game kicks off at 14:00 in the West Midlands.

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