Things are starting to take shape at the bottom of the Premier League table, with Huddersfield Town and Fulham looking likely to make the drop to the Championship. The final relegation place is currently occupied by Cardiff City and they host West Ham United on the weekend.
Cardiff City are on 25 points and know they need to win to have any chance of moving above Southampton who are one place above them. West Ham United are in 9th place and this is a game they need to win if they want to finish in 7th place this season.
Cardiff City suffered their third defeat in succession last weekend as they went down 2-0 at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Prior to the loss at Wolves, the Bluebirds lost 3-0 at home to Everton and 5-1 at home to Watford, both of which were very disappointing results.
Having defeated Bournemouth at home and Southampton away, things appeared to be on the up for Cardiff City but they have dropped off badly in recent weeks and need a response.
Trends show Cardiff City have lost five of their last seven matches in all competitions and have won only one of their last six at home. Despite keeping two clean sheets in those last six games, when Cardiff City have conceded goals they have done so in spectacular fashion, with 5 goals going in against Manchester United and Watford and 3 goals against Spurs and Everton.
West Ham United defeated Newcastle United 2-0 last weekend meaning they have lost only one of their last five Premier League games.
The Hammers have also defeated Fulham plus picked up a point at home against Liverpool and away to Crystal Palace. The defeat came at the home of the defending champions, Manchester City but was a narrow 1-0 loss.
Trend show West Ham United’s away form is poor and they have won only one of their last seven away matches in all competitions. They have failed to win any of the last six and have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of the last seven. This defensive record will need to be improved if West Ham United are to start picking up points more regularly on the road towards the end of the season.
Team news and Cardiff City have been dealt a blow with the news that defender Sol Bamba will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. He is the only definite absentee from the squad although doubts remain over Jazz Richards and Matt Connolly.
West Ham United have started to see some players return to fitness but Andriy Yarmolenko and Carlos Sanchez remain on the treatment table. Winston Reid is back in training and Aaron Cresswell will be assessed because of a head injury.
Every home match is a cup final now for Cardiff City but the level of their performance has fallen a great deal in recent weeks. There seems to be only one winner from this game and that’s West Ham United.