The Bluebirds are hopeful their good home form continues after some tough away results
CARDIFF City face a must-win clash against play-off hopefuls Bristol City this weekend, as they sit just two points above the relegation zone.
A 2-1 defeat to Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Tuesday was Cardiff’s fourth away defeat in a row, but they are hopeful of their home advantage.
Omer Riza’s side are undefeated in their last four home games, with the most recent being a 2-0 win over struggling Derby County.
A return to winning ways on Saturday could take them as high as 18th in the Championship table – depending on other results – and reinstate their buffer above the relegation zone.
“It’s Bristol, it’s an important game, same as the last time we played them, and we have to go into the game with all those factors in mind,” Riza said.
“We’ve lost two in 11. We know we’ve got the capability to do well.
“The boys seem up for it, they know how important it is. They’ll [Bristol City] be up for it, but we’re at home at the end of the day, and we will surely take the game to them.
“We are looking forward to it.”
Cardiff’s recent form in this fixture also offers reason to be optimistic. The Bluebirds are unbeaten in their last four games against the Robins, keeping clean sheets in three of them.
Saturday’s game also sees Riza’s return to the dugout after a three-game suspension, following his red-card confrontation with Swansea City’s Goncalo Franco.
“It was really difficult. [I] couldn’t communicate too well but we did manage it,” he said.
“But it’s part and parcel of the game. Got suspended, you pay the price and learn the lesson.
“My leadership is a big part of who I am and I can’t wait to get back down there.”
Weighing on Riza’s mind is the upcoming fifth round FA Cup tie against Aston Villa.
“One more game doesn’t help, because there’s a lot of games already in the league. But I think the fans will enjoy what is coming, and we have to deal with it.
“Fixtures might have to be moved around which gives us less recovery, but we have to take it and we have to do the best we can with it.”
Team news
Alex Robertson will be unavailable for the game after the former Manchester City midfielder suffered a hamstring injury, though Riza has stressed it is not a long-term problem.
“He tweaked his hamstring about 10 days ago – after the Leeds game. It’s just precautionary. He is still feeling a little bit there, so we just have the manage it accordingly.
“He’s been training on his own this week, we will hopefully get him ready for Plymouth.”
It is still unclear when Jesper Daland will return. The Norwegian suffered a nasty gash to his leg during the FA Cup win at Stoke City.
“He’s had eight stitches in his shin that’s healing now, and hopefully that’ll come out on Monday,” said Riza.
“Then obviously the healing process of that, however long it takes. Obviously, he’s in an awkward position, but he’ll be ready when he’s ready.”
Aaron Ramsey remains fit and available after his recent comeback from a long-term layoff with a hamstring injury, and the return of the Wales captain could prove crucial.
“We have to manage players correctly,” said Riza.
“Sometimes they come off the back of a game and they’re not able to play the next one.
“Aaron’s an important player. He played in the FA Cup and couldn’t be involved in the game after.
“He trained today and we’ll see whether or not he’ll be available and what selection we come up with.”
Yakou Méïté has returned to training after a thigh injury and Riza said he is back in contention for minutes.
