{"id":94120,"date":"2025-02-25T13:23:51","date_gmt":"2025-02-25T13:23:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=94120"},"modified":"2025-02-25T14:57:54","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T14:57:54","slug":"mind-the-gap-riza-eyes-relegation-zone-lift-off-as-hull-city-arrive-for-six-pointer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2025\/02\/25\/mind-the-gap-riza-eyes-relegation-zone-lift-off-as-hull-city-arrive-for-six-pointer\/","title":{"rendered":"Mind the gap: Riza eyes relegation zone lift-off as Hull City arrive for six-pointer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Omer Riza’s side are level on points with Hull – but behind on goal difference – for both sides’ game-in-hand <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it will likely be an edgy and narrow margin affair. Omer Riza\u2019s side\u00a0have 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Cardiff victory\u00a0tonight could take them as high as 19 in the Championship table \u2013 depending on how Stoke do at home to Middlesbrough tonight \u2013 which could provide crucial breathing space for their\u00a0remaining 12\u00a0league games.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After tonight, the Bluebirds points total will be a very real representation of where they are. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We need to try to get some space between us and the teams below us,” Riza told the BBC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Every game is a big game right until the end of the season, we know that. But Hull will be a tough game.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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