After clinching fifth on the final day of the regular season, Cardiff City welcome Fulham to the Cardiff City Stadium in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final.
Cardiff are in the Play-Offs for the first time since losing to West Ham at this stage in 2012, whereas Fulham are back in this post season competition for the third time in the last four seasons.
Team News
Embed from Getty ImagesCardiff have no fresh injury concerns to report as Greg Cunningham (knee) and Isaac Vassell (quad) remain long-term absentees.
Fulham will welcome Southampton loanee, Harrison Reed back after the midfielder served a two match ban for his sending off against Sheffield Wednesday last weekend.
Ivan Cavaleiro however is a doubt with a hamstring injury.
Stat Attack
- This is the first-ever post regular season play-off meeting between Cardiff and Fulham.
- Cardiff have won three of their last five meetings against Fulham (W3, L2).
- Fulham are unbeaten in four of their last five trips to Cardiff (W2, D2, L1).
Prediction
Since meeting just over a fortnight ago, Cardiff have picked up momentum with some dominant performances unlike Fulham who have stuttered to draws in two of their last three games.
I therefore am expecting a good attacking contest because Cardiff are high on confidence in attack, although Fulham do possess the better quality but have recently slipped defensively.
A draw therefore is my best bet because Fulham have shown that when not winning, they can eke out results somehow.
Prediction: Cardiff 1-1 Fulham
Result: Cardiff 0-2 Fulham