Palace v Cardiff City

Selhurst Park, Saturday 12.45pm

Action

Team news

Paul Hart could only have two recognised defenders available for the Championship clash with Cardiff. Matt Lawrence is suspended after his red card at Forest in midweek, while Claude Davis serves the second of a two-game ban for his recent sending off.

Danny Butterfield hobbled off with a hamstring injury in the defeat to Forest, and along with Nathaniel Clyne (groin), is doubtful of playing. Paddy McCarthy is still a way off match fitness following his shoulder operation.

It means Johannes Ertl should drop into the back four and maybe youngster James Comley coming in at right-back.

Cardiff striker Jay Bothroyd is suspended after picking up 10 bookings this season. Anthony Gerrard (calf) and Kevin McNaughton (thigh) are both sidelinedout, but Mark Kennedy could return after a rib problem.

Quotes

Dave Jones

"They have been very unlucky because they were trying to challenge for a play-off spot and all of a sudden they're struggling to stay in the division. Neil Warnock was doing a fantastic job and got the rug pulled from under him. Now Paul Hart has gone in there and he's fighting for his life. But we can't worry about anyone else at this level because you could lose focus on what you're trying to do.

"The battle for the play-offs will probably go to the final day. Forest appear to have cemented themselves into third spot for the play-offs and the other three are up for grabs. Everybody was saying that only sixth spot was available, but there'll be three places to fight over."

Mark Hudson

"I’ll watch the game on Sky and then I’m seeing a few of the lads after that, we’re going out with our partners. It is my birthday on the 30th and this is a good chance to have a bite to eat and catch up. Ben Watson is going to be there as well so it’ll be a bit of a reunion. The match is bound to get a big mention. They are in big need of the points and so are we.

"We had an away game and I was in a hotel when I got a text message from my agent saying that Palace were going into administration and then it came up on Sky about 15 minutes later. I was really disappointed for the lads and the fans down there - they didn’t deserve that because they were on a great run.

"There has been a big swing in their season and with Neil Warnock going there is a lot of change - I just hope they can steer clear of relegation.

"They need to keep their focus on how well they have done this year and the points total they would’ve had. They have got to think positive and not too much on where they are in the league. I’m sure they will be alright - there a definitely teams worse off than them."

Cardiff City - league stats

Full league table

Cardiff City - current form

Full form table

Last five results

Date	Type	Home Team	Score	Away Team
17/10/2009	League	Cardiff City	1 - 1	Crystal Palace
11/04/2009	League	Crystal Palace	0 - 2	Cardiff City
15/11/2008	League	Cardiff City	2 - 1	Crystal Palace
04/03/2008	League	Crystal Palace	0 - 0	Cardiff City
06/11/2007	League	Cardiff City	1 - 1	Crystal Palace

All time results

Last meeting

Cardiff City 1-1 Palace

Saturday October 17 2009

Cardiff City: Marshall, Gerrard, Hudson, Kennedy, Burke (Feeney, 88), Whittingham, Ledley, Rae, Matthews, Chopra, Bothroyd (McCormack, 61)

Subs not used: Quinn, Enckelman, Gyepes, McNaughton, Taiwo

Goals: Whittingham 19

Palace: Speroni, Hill, McCarthy, Butterfield, Fonte, Ambrose (Scannell, 46), Derry, Danns, Moses (Sears, 16), N'Diaye, Lee (John, 77)

Subs not used: Ertl, Hills, Clyne, Flahavan

Goals: Hudson 13 (og)

Bookings: Butterfield, Hill, N'Diaye

Prediction league

0 members have predicted for this game so far.

Make your prediction on this game

Selhurst pub guide

Click here