BIRMINGHAM V CARDIFF: BIG-MATCH GUIDE
CARDIFF City head to the Midlands to play Birmingham City this afternoon.
The Bluebirds are hoping to record back-to-back wins after all but consigning Wycombe to relegation last weekend.
Here is everything you need to know about the clash.
What time is Birmingham City v Cardiff City kick-off?
Birmingham City v Cardiff City kicks off at 3pm on Saturday, May 1.
Is it on TV?
No. The game will not be televised live.
What about live streaming? Cardiff City will be streaming the game live on their website and match passes for those viewing in the UK can be bought for £10.
You can also follow all the action on our live blog from around 12.30pm.
What are the odds?
Birmingham City win: 13/8; Draw: 21/10; Cardiff win: 9/5
(Odds via The Pools and correct at the time of publication)
What’s the team news?
Cardiff City could be without as many as 10 first-team players for the trip to St Andrew’s.
It means three untried youngsters will be on the bus to Birmingham.
Academy striker Isaak Davies will travel with the squad. So, too, will tricky winger/playmaker Kieron Evans.
Sam Bowen will also be in the travelling cohort.
For the hosts, Lee Bowyer will be unable to call up the services of Scott Hogan and Jon Toral, both of whom are ruled out with hip and hamstring injuries respectively.
What have the managers said? Birmingham manager Lee Bowyer:
“There are a few players that have been in and around the squad, it is only right I give them an opportunity to show what they can do from the start.
“I need to see the players that haven’t been in and around it and see what they can bring for us next season. Young lads are included in that and there is a couple that are highly spoken of.
“It is an opportunity for them to grab and say ‘Gaffer, I want to be part of your plans next season’.”
Cardiff City manager Mick McCarthy:
“It’s never a dead rubber! I’m not having that.
“There is always something to play for. If you’re playing for pride or the shirt, there is something to play for.
“Birmingham won’t want to drop off now. They have been excellent. They have been fighting.
“They have been scrapping and that’s not going to stop. It won’t stop with us either.
“They’ve got good players. You still need to work hard and be organised and that’s what they’ve been and got the results.”
Who is the referee?
Andy Davies is the man in the middle. He was in charge of the same fixture last season when
Cardiff drew 1-1 at St Andrew’s. His assistants are Mark Dwyer and Paul Hodskinson, while fourth official is David Webb.
Match facts
■■Birmingham City have lost one of their last 18 home league games against Cardiff City (W9 D8), a 1-0 defeat on New Year’s Day in 2013. ■■Cardiff City are looking for their first league double over Birmingham since the 2012-13 season. ■■Birmingham are unbeaten in their last six league matches (W4 D2), their best run since going 10 without defeat in January/ February 2020 under Pep Clotet. ■■Each of Cardiff’s last four league goals have been scored by Kieffer Moore, with the Welshman netting 20 in the Championship this season. The last Bluebirds player with more was Peter Whittingham in 2009-10 (22). ■■Cardiff manager Mick McCarthy has only won one of his 15 away league matches against Birmingham (D6 L8), losing his last three in a row.