Team News

Palace

It's finally upon us, the day we've all been waiting for. It's hard to do such a momentous occasion in this club's recent history justice in a humble match preview, so I'm just going to play it how I normally do...

It's no secret that Cardiff are doing a bit better than we are in the Championship, but we all know league form counts for little in these one-off cup ties we've been treated to in ample proportion this season.

Dougie Freedman took the decision to rest a number of key players against Blackpool at the weekend so that they're ready for the cup tie. On top of that Dean Moxey and Alex Marrow are back from injury and ready for selection. Sean Scannell has served his suspension picked up against Leeds and is back in contention for a place.

Only one more sleepless night (trepidation or excitement, you decide) before the big day, in around 29 hours we'll know whether we'll be making a trip to Wembley in February for the final!

Cardiff

Malky Makay has only two doubts for tomorrow's game: Levin McNaughton and Rudy Gestede will likely be missing from the Cardiff team sheet.

Key Players

Julian Speroni I think it's going to be our first choice 'keeper who runs out on Tuesday evening against the Welsh side and a lot is going to be asked of him. It'll be no surprise if Dougie decides to sit back and try and soak up the pressure from the home team and that means Speroni could be called upon a number of times to save our skin. Come on Jules!

Kenny Miller Cardiff's top scorer this season, and one who Freedman thinks is of Premiership quality. The onus is on us to take the edge off of this striker's effectiveness and I'm confident there's a plan in place to do so - we'll just have to wait to see how effective it is!

Match Facts & Stats

Palace have never lost to Cardiff in six previous cup ties, winning all five at Selhurst and drawing away.

Kenny Miller was the striker that ended Palace's club record 10 and a half hour run without conceding a goal. The goal came last November in a 2-0 defeat to the bluebirds.

This is the first time in 11 seasons Palace have made an appearance in the last four of the League Cup.

This is Cardiff's second appearance in a League Cup semi-final.

Cardiff have won nine and drawn one of their last ten cup games on home turf.

Palace have conceded just three goals overall in the competition so far, having scored at least two goals in every match before facing Cardiff in the first leg at Selhurst.

Cardiff have failed to score in only four of 34 games this season, one of those being the first leg of this tie.

Prediction

I think it's going to be a horribly tense, nervy affair come kick off. Palace are likely to defend heavily and look to attack on the break, whilst it's likely Cardiff will come out all guns blazing in front of a home crowd and with so much at stake. However, I have confidence in our ability to defend the aggregate lead (scratch Blackpool at the weekend, it was only our reserves after all) and I think we'll even snatch a goal. However I don't see us keeping a clean sheet with the pressure that's likely to be invited on the Eagles' goal. We'll come out on top overall, but it's not going to be pleasant!

Cardiff 1-1 Palace

What do you think will happen? Let us know! Comment below...