FT: CARDIFF CITY 1 - 1 BIRMINGHAM CITY. Matchday thread

[Michael Morris]

Match facts

• Cardiff City are unbeaten in their last four home meetings with Birmingham, of which they have won three.
• Neither side has scored more than twice in any of the last 22 league matches between the two teams.
• Neil Warnock's Bluebirds have won four of their last six home league games, keeping a clean sheet in each victory.
• Birmingham won their last away league game, 2-1 against Wolves at Molineux. But they have not won consecutive games on the road since a run of three in October 2015.
• The Bluebirds have lost seven points fromSubmit New Thread Preview Post
  leading positions in their last three league games.
• Birmingham have conceded a league-high 21 goals from set piece situations this season (excluding penalties).

[Michael Morris]

Pat Murphy, BBC Sport

"Zola remains in charge at Birmingham for the foreseeable future, despite a dreadful start to his time at St Andrew's.

"He speaks to the Chinese owners every week. There seems no urgent desire to sack him, with the risk of losing face after appointing so swiftly after sacking Rowett. The more likely scenario if results and performances do not improve is that Zola resigns because he feels progress towards his ideals is not encouraging enough.

"With City eight points off the relegation zone and only 10 games left, a relegation battle is highly unlikely but Zola did not budget for such a disappointing three months after succeeding the popular Rowett."

[Michael Morris]

Cardiff City midfielder Aron Gunnarsson hopes to recover from a virus in time for the visit of Birmingham City.

Both Bruno Manga and Rickie Lambert are near to returns, but Lee Peltier, Rhys Healey and Matthew Connolly remain out.

Birmingham boss Gianfranco Zola admitted that he was considering his future after Tuesday's 1-0 home defeat by Wigan Athletic.

The game will come too soon for striker Clayton Donaldson, despite a 45-minute midweek run-out for Blues' Under-23s.

Zola's men have won only twice in 17 matches in all competitions since he succeeded sacked Gary Rowett on 14 December.

At that time Blues were seventh, level on goal difference with sixth-placed Sheffield Wednesday, while Cardiff were 19th.

Neil Warnock's side have now climbed to 13th, having lost just once in six games, while Blues have dropped to 17th.

[Michael Morris]

[MacAdder]

Match facts

• Cardiff City are unbeaten in their last four home meetings with Birmingham, of which they have won three.
• Neither side has scored more than twice in any of the last 22 league matches between the two teams.
• Neil Warnock's Bluebirds have won four of their last six home league games, keeping a clean sheet in each victory.
• Birmingham won their last away league game, 2-1 against Wolves at Molineux. But they have not won consecutive games on the road since a run of three in October 2015.
• The Bluebirds have lost seven points fromSubmit New Thread Preview Post
  leading positions in their last three league games.
• Birmingham have conceded a league-high 21 goals from set piece situations this season (excluding penalties).

Re the last bullet point, might we see Whitts out there today? 🤔

[Michael Morris]

McGreogor, Bennett, Richards, Morrison, Bamba, Halford, Ralls, Gunnarsson, Hoilett, Pilkington & Zohore

[Colonel Cærdiffi]

YESSS!!!! RALLS!!!!

[Mrs Steve R]

[jon1959]

[Colonel Cærdiffi]

'kin ell. These late goals.

[jon1959]

FFS

[NYCBlue]

Balls!

[Baloo]

Played them off the park 2nd half until the final 10 minutes when we sat back and suddenly they looked like Barcelona. They scored and suddenly we were back on top again. Drives you mad dunnit.

[jon1959]

Played them off the park 2nd half until the final 10 minutes when we sat back and suddenly they looked like Barcelona. They scored and suddenly we were back on top again. Drives you mad dunnit.

Yep.

[Michael Morris]

Birmingham brought 1498 fans to CCS today.

[Rock_Flock_of_Five]

Birmingham brought 1498 fans to CCS today.

Cheers for that Anni.. err, I mean Mike!