Omer Riza’s side are level on points with Hull – but behind on goal difference – for both sides’ game-in-hand
CARDIFF City face a must-win clash against fellow relegation strugglers Hull City tonight (7.45pm) with the teams tied on 33 points in the two places immediately above the Championship relegation zone.
The Bluebirds are three points above the drop zone but they are also -9 behind the Tigers on goal difference, which could prove important in a battle that looks set to go down to the wire.
That means the margin of victory or defeat tonight is also important. A 3-0 win to Cardiff would mean a six-goal swing and close the Bluebirds goal-difference problem – they have the third worst GD in the division.
But it will likely be an edgy and narrow margin affair. Omer Riza’s side have picked up just five points from their last possible 15, though they are unbeaten in their last five at home. The visitors will be aiming to follow up with their shock 1-0 win against promotion-chasing Sunderland last Saturday.
A Cardiff victory tonight could take them as high as 19 in the Championship table – depending on how Stoke do at home to Middlesbrough tonight – which could provide crucial breathing space for their remaining 12 league games.
Tonight’s match is the Bluebirds’ game in hand, which has provided something of a comfort blanket for anyone looking at the table recently. It was originally scheduled for Saturday, February 8, but was postponed following Cardiff’s progression to the fourth round of the FA Cup. It was originally rearranged for tomorrow night, but then brought forward again.
After tonight, the Bluebirds points total will be a very real representation of where they are.
“We need to try to get some space between us and the teams below us,” Riza told the BBC.
“Every game is a big game right until the end of the season, we know that. But Hull will be a tough game.”
Hull City’s previous form in this fixture means they come into tonight’s rearranged clash optimistic. The Tigers have won each of their past three away league games against Cardiff City, and will be looking to extend that.
Cardiff aim to upset that rhythm and bounce back from their “frustrating” 1-1 draw against Plymouth last Saturday after Riza said there were many “learnings” to be taken away.
Fixture Facts
- The Bluebirds have lost each of their last seven league games against Hull City since a 3-0 win in July 2020.
- Hull have won each of their last three Championship games against Welsh clubs, including two against Cardiff (3-1 in April 2024, 4-1 in September 2024).
- Hull have lost each of their last four midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) league games.
Team News
Cardiff’s Dimitrios Goutas will be unavailable tonight after picking up a red card at Plymouth last Saturday.
Cardiff are likely to be without first-choice goalkeeper Jak Alnwick after he injured his hamstring in the same game. Goalkeeper Ethan Horvath will step in.
Leading scorer Callum Robinson is also in doubt after picking up a “slight injury” in training before the Plymouth game, while Calum Chambers is also being monitored after missing the last two games due to illness.
New signing Yousef Salech, who netted one against Plymouth last Saturday, is set for his second start for the club.
“Yousef is doing well, he is playing with confidence,” Riza said.
“I know the qualities he has got. He just needs to keep working hard. He is part of a team, part of a squad. He has four goals now so that’s credit to him.”
Louie Barry, Hull’s recent loanee signing from Aston Villa, won’t feature tonight after limping out of their 1-0 win at Sunderland.
