Cardiff City host Queens Park Rangers as they seek their first win in five league games

Credit: Wales Online

Cardiff City host Queens Park Rangers on Wednesday, as they look to win their first league game in five matches while Mark Warburton’s side hunts for consecutive wins in 2021.

The hosts currently find themselves in 15th place after slowly slipped down the Championship table, failing to win on their last five occasions. They last tasted victory against Birmingham on December 16, after a 3-2 affair was fought out at The Cardiff City Stadium. Neil Harris’ position at the club is under threat if their current form does not improve in the coming weeks.

In contrast, QPR ended a nine-game losing streak last time out as they comfortably beat Luton Town 2-0 away from home. Charlie Austin scored on his debut followed by a late goal by Macaulay Bonne to seal the three points for Rangers. Warburton’s side did not have a game at the weekend as Wycombe Wanderers postponed the game due to a positive COVID-19 case.

The two sides played out a thrilling 3-2 game at Kiyan Prince Foundation which saw QPR come out on top curtsey of a Dominic Ball’s incredible injury-time winner. Rangers saw themselves take a 2-0 lead in a dominant first-half display, while Cardiff responded in the second half as they levelled up the scoreline with little time remaining. Defensive Midfielder Ball decided to step up in the 91st minute lashing home a left-footed strike into the top right-hand corner from 30-yards out as Rangers claimed all three points.

Cardiff City

Cardiff’s losing streak continued at the weekend with a 2-1 lose at home to league leaders Norwich City. Despite the pressure that has been mounted on The Bluebirds manager owner Vincent Tan has backed Harris with a new striker in Max Watters from Crawley FC, up to three more new signings are set to follow this month.

Neil Harris’ side is still aiming to finish within the top six come the end of the season after making the playoffs last year. They will be looking to turn around their form as they need to start making up the 11-point deficit on sixth place or the season will be regarded as a failure by the hierarchy.

Credit: Wales Online

The Bluebirds will be without Marlon Pack after being sent off against Norwich City, as for injuries captain Sean Morrison, Jordi Osei-Tutu and Lee Tomlin are all sidelined. Sol Bamba misses out due to health reasons. Harris has a selection issue as Max Watters is looking to make his debut while Kieffer Moore has just returned from injury.

Queens Park Rangers

Despite their win a week ago, it seems that all the teams in and around them also won at the weekend as the Hoops look to stay away from the bottom three. If they were to win this game they would climb the table to 16th, just one place and two points away from Cardiff. However, they have lost on their last two visits to the Cardiff City Stadium, while the home side has won this fixture in each of their last six league meetings.

Credit: Wales Online

Rangers will be without 23-year old Bright Osayi-Samuel who recently confirmed he had signed a pre-contract deal with Fenerbahçe S.K, it is thought that the club is trying to work the Turkish side to secure a move this month instead of the summer. It is still unknown if Osman Kakay or Lee Wallace will feature as the pair still recover from their respective injuries. Luke Amos is still sidelined with a long term injury.

Conclusion

Cardiff will be looking to get back to winning ways and will still remain as favourites for the tie despite their poor form in the league. The squad is filled with quality through the ranks, a name in particular that will be looking to shine is Harry Wilson who has not had the best of starts to this season.

QPR will be heavily reliant on Ilias Chair to create quality chances, as Albert Adomah or Chris Willock replace Osayi-Samuel. Rangers who are on their way up, I think will edge the narrow affair if service is good to the front men as Warburton’s side looks to claim back-to-back victories in 2021.

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