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Cardiff City logo
Championship | Gameweek 44
Apr 22, 2023 at 3pm UK
Cardiff City Stadium
Stoke logo
Cardiff
1 - 1
Stoke
Kaba (29')
Ralls (33'), Etete (42'), Sawyers (44')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Laurent (16')

Preview: Cardiff City vs. Stoke City - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Cardiff City and Stoke City, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Cardiff City play host to Stoke City on Saturday afternoon looking to secure the victory which may eventually keep the club in the Championship.

While the Bluebirds head into this fixture sitting two points above the relegation zone, a four-game winless streak has left the Potters in 17th spot in the standings.


Match preview

Cardiff City manager Sabri Lamouchi on February 25, 2023© Reuters

Having lost four of their six games ahead of the trip to Watford, there was a feeling that Cardiff could quickly get sucked back into the relegation zone.

Although the Hornets quickly went ahead at Vicarage Road, Cardiff produced a stunning turnaround, scoring three times in 10 minutes to help secure a 3-1 victory.

Such a result was required to keep Cardiff outside of the relegation zone, and they also possess a game in hand as well as sitting two points above the bottom three.

With Burnley to come on the final day of the season, Sabri Lamouchi knows that Cardiff can ill-afford to get complacent with three points separating 18th and 22nd spot.

The Welsh outfit are winless in three matches at their home ground, though, which will only give encouragement to their opponents.

Stoke manager Alex Neil before the match on February 28, 2023© Reuters

Not so long ago, it appeared that Stoke may produce one of the strongest finishes of the entire division having put together a five-match undefeated run.

That expectation has now changed with just one point coming from a possible 12, their solitary draw during that time coming courtesy of a goalless stalemate at Birmingham City.

Alex Neil's side have lost three successive fixtures at the bet365 Stadium, succumbing to each of Bristol City, West Bromwich Albion and Wigan Athletic.

Now down in 17th place, Neil knows that 14th spot is realistically their best-case scenario, and that is achievable with the Potters trailing that position by just one point.

Cardiff City Championship form:

Stoke City Championship form:


Team News

Stoke City's Jacob Brown celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on January 28, 2022© Reuters

Barring any fitness issues, Lamouchi may be prepared to name the same Cardiff XI which started the Watford fixture.

Romaine Sawyers is an option in midfield if fresh legs are preferred, while Callum O'Dowda may be assessed after coming through his first 90 minutes for more than a month.

Neil will make changes to his Stoke starting lineup with Tyrese Campbell in line to replace the injured Jacob Brown.

Ki-Jana Hoever will hope for a recall down the right, as will Will Smallbone in the middle of the pitch.

Ben Pearson, another central midfielder, is available after serving a one-match ban, but Ben Wilmot is sidelined in the long term with a back injury.

Cardiff City possible starting lineup:
Allsop; Romeo, Ng, Kipre, McGuinness, O'Dowda; Rinomhota, Wintle, Ralls; Etete, Kaba

Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Bonham; Hoever, Taylor, Fox, Tymon; Campbell, Pearson, Smallbone, Laurent, Celina; Gayle


SM words green background

We say: Cardiff City 2-1 Stoke City

Neil will feel that he needs a strong end to the season to keep his job at the bet365 Stadium and Stoke have the quality to prevail from this contest. However, Cardiff turned a corner in midweek, and the extra motivation may lead to them edging this contest by the odd goal in three.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data

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Game History

How you voted: Cardiff vs Stoke

Cardiff City
78.3%
Draw
13.0%
Stoke City
8.7%
23
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Burnley's Ashley Barnes celebrates with teammates after scoring their first goal on April 7, 2023
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