By Ellis Sheppard
Cardiff City’s clash with relegation rivals Luton Town in the Welsh capital on Tuesday night is a classic relegation “six-pointer”.
The Bluebirds sit in 21st place in the Championship on 36 points just four ahead of their opponents who, in 23rd position have endured a mystifyingly poor season after coming down from the Premier League last summer.
While both sides are desperate for the three points, they are arguably even more vital for the Hatters. Defeat at the Cardiff City Stadium would see them eight points adrift of their opponents, who know victory could see them go seven points clear of the drop zone.
Cardiff are coming into the game after narrow back-to-back defeats to Championship high-flyers Burnley and Sunderland. Performances have improved for the Bluebirds but draws against Bristol City and Plymouth may well have been viewed as points dropped.
Cardiff’s Opposition
Luton have struggled all season, winning just one game on the road against Millwall back in September.
Former Welsh international Rob Edwards lost his job in January after a miserable run of four straight losses, with former Wycombe Wanders boss Matt Bloomfield taking over.
Since Bloomfield arrived he has a win rate of 10% having won just once – against Portsmouth at Kenilworth Road.
Luton will be wounded after suffering a 4-0 away defeat to promotion-chasers Burnley last weekend. The heavy loss means they have conceded eight goals in just five games.
Former Bluebird Mark McGuiness also had a game to forget at Turf Moor as his own goal gave Burnley the lead. It’s McGuinness’ first return to Cardiff after leaving last August having made 49 appearances for the club.
Players Missing out
Luton: Kal Naismith is suspended after being sent off for the Hatters last weekend.
Tahith Chong, Tom Lockyer, Reece Burke, Teden Mengi, Marvelous Nakamba and Shandon Baptiste all remain doubts for the Hatters due to injury.
Cardiff: The hosts will be without Ollie Tanner, Jak Alnwick, Jesper Daland and David Turnball due to injury.
Yakou Meite, Joe Ralls and Andy Rinomhota all remain doubts.
Will Alves may return from illness.
Previous Meetings
The most recent fixture between the two teams saw Luton edge a 1-0 win at Kenilworth Road with Jacob Brown scoring in the 57th minute.
Cardiff struggled to create any big chances but might have felt they deserved a draw.
The sides have met 67 times with Luton winning 27 and Cardiff 23. Luton have won four of the last six meetings.
Prediction
Luton’s away form suggests that Cardiff have nothing to worry about. I go 1-0 to the home side, with the quality of Callum Robinson and Rubin Colwill making the difference.