Express & Star

Wolves v Cardiff: Inside track on Neil Warnock's side

Wolves take on Cardiff at Molineux this weekend hoping to bounce back from the shock defeat to Huddersfield in midweek.

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Can Cardiff add to Wolves' recent struggles against lower Premier League opposition?

We spoke with Dominic Booth, Cardiff City correspondent for WalesOnline, to get a proper look at the Bluebirds.

See what he had to say here...

It's obviously been a tough season on and off the pitch for Cardiff this season, how is the general mood in the camp given the tragedy surrounding Emiliano Sala and an ongoing relegation battle?

The Sala tragedy obviously left a huge mark on the club and the legal wrangle continues over the transfer fee, but it's been back to football matters of late.

Neil Warnock managed to galvanise his players, to the point where they performed above and beyond themselves to beat Bournemouth and Southampton.

The last two matches against Watford and Everton have been a regression, but Cardiff remain in that fight.

What have you made of Cardiff's chances of survival this season, given Fulham and Huddersfield's standing, it seems like only one more relegation place needs to be filled?

Cardiff were predicted to finish rock bottom, with some people claiming they'd break Derby County's record low points tally.

So it's been a boost for the Bluebirds to see Fulham and Huddersfield struggle so badly, while they've been a lot more competitive.

Warnock wants his players to take the relegation fight down to the wire - and it looks like that will be the case.

Cardiff are in the midst of a relegation battle but have been more threatening than Fulham or Huddersfield.

What sort of business did Cardiff get up to in January, and how have you rated that business?

Losing Sala in such tragic circumstances obviously had a major effect on what Cardiff were able to do in January.

They could only bring in Oumar Niasse and Leandro Bacuna, who have both done pretty well in fits and starts.

Niasse in particular looks a good signing on loan from Everton; he's excellent at running the channels and holding the ball up.

It's been back to back sizeable defeats for the Bluebirds recently, is there added pressure now to get a result against Wolves?

There is pressure, yes, because of the games Cardiff have around the corner.

Their run-in isn't as favourable as some of their relegation rivals, so they need results - and soon.

Bobby Reid

Cardiff obviously managed to get a result against Nuno's side earlier this season, will he implement a similar style of play, do you reckon?

I would have thought the blueprint will be exactly the same from Cardiff.

They've had the beating of Wolves in recent seasons, having won four of their last six games against them - and that defeat last season should have been a win given the Bluebirds missed two late penalties.

Warnock will come to Molineux with a disciplined defence, a direct counter-attacking style and hopefully some pace going forward.

Are there any injury worries for Warnock ahead of the game?

Warnock claimed "everybody should be available" for this one, having had the likes of Victor Camarasa and Joe Ralls on the sideline of late.

It should be close to a first choice Cardiff XI.

What's your predicted XI for the clash?

Etheridge; Manga, Morrison, Bamba, Bennett; Gunnarsson, Arter, Camarasa; Reid, Paterson, Niasse.

Neil Warnock's side have had to overcome plenty this season, on and off the pitch

What have you made of Wolves' season from afar? Do you think they're capable of finishing as 'best of the rest'?

They've impressed me greatly, especially against the big six.

Nuno seems to have implemented a very effective system and has some superb players on the ball.

It will be between Wolves and Watford for seventh place, I think, though Leicester could now challenge for that position with Brendan Rodgers in charge.

Your match prediction?

0-0. It will be tight and tetchy. Neither of these sides are particularly prolific, so I can see a stalemate.

You can follow Dominic on Twitter by searching for @DomBooth19.