Cardiff vs Swansea predictions: Bluebirds can punish injury-impacted Swans
- Cardiff are unbeaten in five games across league and cup
- Swansea have lost their last three away fixtures in all competitions
- Recommended bet: Cardiff to win
Welsh football's bitterest rivals meet in the capital on Saturday as Cardiff host Swansea in the Championship.
The Swans make the hour or so trip east along the M4 on the back of last Sunday's 3-0 FA Cup defeat at Southampton and will do so without a couple of key defenders.
There was more positive news for Cardiff, who won 1-0 at Sheffield United and will next travel to Championship relegation rivals Stoke in the fourth round, while they backed that cup win up with Tuesday's 1-1 home draw against Watford.
That result means the Bluebirds are unbeaten in five and while it was a frustrating outcome due to the Hornets' equaliser coming in the 87th minute, the added psychological boost of moving out of the bottom three can only give them a further lift heading into this derby.
Team news
Cardiff remain without Isaak Davies (leg), Michael Reindorf (ankle), David Turnbull and Aaron Ramsey (both muscular) but all are believed to be close to returning.
However, Omer Riza can recall forward Callum Robinson following a three-match ban after he received a red card in the New Year's Day draw against Coventry.
Swans boss Luke Williams rotated at Southampton but that was partly down to injury concerns, with centre-backs Ben Cabango and Harry Darling again both doubts for Saturday.
The club are hopeful of making a new addition before the weekend, with Wycombe's Joe Low heavily linked, while attacking midfielders Josh Ginnelly (Achilles) and Oliver Cooper (foot) are long-term absentees.
The stats
Cardiff are unbeaten in five but have failed to win at home since a four-game winning streak between October 1 and November 2.
The Bluebirds have the second-worst home record in the Championship, with their 14 points only better than Hull's 12.
Swansea have failed to win their last three away matches but still have the 10th-best away record in the division, winning four times.
The duo played out a 1-1 draw in August, while both sides won the home edition of their derby 2-0 in 2023-24.
Prediction
Cardiff boss Riza made an immediate impact after taking over from Erol Bulut, initially on an interim basis in September, before being appointed permanently in December.
The 45-year-old's short reign has been eventful, at one stage going nine without a victory, but the board stuck by him and climbing out of the relegation places will have been a huge boost to his squad heading into Saturday's derby.
Williams' Swans are enduring a meandering campaign, playing some nice football but failing to convert their chances and they have netted just once in their last three games.
With injuries at the back, improving Cardiff could punish them and grab what would be a vital three points in front of their vibrant fanbase.
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