Cardiff V Pool

After a disappointing mid-week defeat to WBA Pool look to step closer to securing Championship football next season by beating the F.A. Cup finalists Cardiff.

Cardiff Team News:

After beating Barnsley in the FA Cup semi final the Bluebirds have a little injury crisis with three new players doubtful for the game. Enckelman, Capaldi and Ledley have all picked up injuries and join Kevin McNaughton who is already on the injured list.

Manager Dave Jones is hopeful that one of the injured party will pull through as he has no other left backs in the squad.

Upfront Parry, Feeney and Fowler are all injured which might mean a 5 man midfield rather than playing Hasselbaink and Thompson upfront together.

Player to watch: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink

Since the move in the summer the former Leeds and Chelsea striker has netted 6 times, one a great goal in the F.A. Cup against Wolves. Now aged 36 he`s getting on but is still doing the business for the Bluebirds.

Blackpool Team News:

Steve McPhee went off in the WBA game with cramp but he should be fine to start, if not Paul Dickov and Grant Holt are ready to step in. Keith Southern returned midweek after injury to play 5 minutes at the end, he may start in the middle of the park. Joe Martin who has yet to appear for Pool had a knock but is fit to take a place in the squad if required.

Player to watch: Stephen Crainey

He may have been or may have not been at fault for the first WBA goal on Tuesday but he`ll have do well this weekend, he may come up against former Pool favourite Trevor Sinclair or Peter Whittingham who has had some storming performances in the cup run.

Match Facts & Stats

Cardiff grabbed a 1-0 at Bloomfield Road in December a first half goal from Steven Thompson gave the away side all three points. In recent years Pool have performed at Cardiff, a 2-2 in 2002, two goal from Big John Murphy, 1-1 in 2000 a very late goal from Big John Murphy and 1999 1-1 a goal from….you guessed it…Big John Murphy. Our last win, 1-0 1995 Andy Watson.

Ref Watch:

A Bates –From Staffordshire – Games: 32 Yellow Cards: 73 Red Cards: 2
A J Horton and M G West
Fourth Official S Castle

Match Prediction:

Cardiff 1 – 1 Blackpool

Next Fixtures:

Football League Championship H Sheff Wed 19-04-2008