The Premier League action starts this Saturday with a lunch-time kick-off at the Cardiff City Stadium as Cardiff City host Brighton and Hove Albion.
Every game is a huge game when you are battling at the bottom of the table but this one is very important for the Bluebirds. Cardiff City begin the weekend in the relegation zone and if they want to retain their Premier League status for next season, this is a match they must win.
Brighton have their sights set higher and win in this game could see them move into the top half of the Premier League table.
Cardiff City won their first Premier League match of the season when they defeated Fulham 4-2 at home back on the 20th October. It was the boost Cardiff City needed in their fight against relegation and despite losing 4-1 at Liverpool, Cardiff City did not play badly.
However, the home game against Leicester City last weekend ended in disappointment as Cardiff City lost 1-0 in what was an emotionally charged game. That result means Cardiff City have won just one of their eleven league games this season and lost eight of their last nine matches in all competitions.
In fact, trends show Cardiff City have won only one of their last thirteen games in all competitions and they need to start picking up points quickly to move out of the bottom three. Cardiff City have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five home Premier League matches.
Brighton travel to South Wales for their second successive away match in the Premier League. The Seagulls played at Everton last weekend and despite scoring an equaliser on 33 minutes, they eventually lost the game 3-1 thanks to two second half goals.
Brighton do not enjoy playing away from home in the Premier League and they have won only one of their last nineteen away matches in the division. Trends show Brighton have lost nine of their last twelve away games in all competitions and have been defeated by 2 more goals in five of their last eight matches on the road.
Under 2.5 goals have been scored in seventeen of Brighton’s last twenty-two away games in all competitions.
Looking ahead to the team news and Cardiff City will be without Nathanial Mendez-Laing, Lee Peltier and Jazz Richards who are injured. Harry Arter is suspended but Joe Ralls is free to play having returned from a suspension of his own.
Brighton could be without winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh who picked up a knock in the defeat at Everton last weekend. Davy Propper and Pascal Gross are closing in on a return to first team action but may have wait until after the international break.
This has the makings of a tough battle at the Cardiff City Stadium and the hosts will believe they can get something from the game. However, Brighton have proven themselves to be good team this season and could come away with maximum points in a low scoring win.