Ahead of this afternoon's game in Wales, we spoke to Bluebirds expert and Wales Online correspondent Glen Williams, who gives his verdict on Cardiff's relegation battle...
19th in the league, only one point above the bottom three, is there serious worry of relegation or are the fans confident of survival?
Yes, there has been serious worry about relegation for much of the season. Cardiff are on their third manager this season - so that tells a story of chaos and turmoil in itself. Performances have improved on the whole under Sabri Lamouchi, though, so there is more confidence now than there has been at previous points in the season.
Both teams have the same issue- no main striker! How big a miss is the injured Callum Robinson?
He is huge. He was the biggest signing last summer and the club's top goalscorer this season in a team which struggles to score goals. Thankfully for Cardiff, others, like Sory Kaba, have started to step up in his absence. Make no mistake though, if he was fit then he would be one of the first names on the team sheet.
Who has been the best player for the Bluebirds?
Arguably it has been Callum O'Dowda across the entire season. Placed at left wing or at wing-back, he has been steady and consistent on that flank. Romaine Sawyers has found some form under Lamouchi, so, too, has Sory Kaba. Mark McGuinness has also been largely solid since returning from his loan at Sheffield Wednesday.
You’ve had three managers this season, is it third time lucky Sabri Lamouchi or is it same old, same old?
It's been patchy. He started slowly but now seems to have found his feet a little. Save a last-minute winner from Swansea City, Cardiff seemed to be on a steady upwards trajectory recently.
What style of football do Cardiff like to play?
It's a mix of styles, really. They play with big strikers and aren't afraid to hit them, but the midfield also has a role to play in recycling possession out to wing-backs, who play a big role in Cardiff's attack. Without the ball, they tend to sit fairly deep in a low block.
Where are Cardiff the weakest?
Well, throughout the season it has been in front of goal. They are still the Championship's lowest scorers, after all. They have been finding the back of the net more regularly recently, though, so they will hope that continues today.
What do you think the score will be and who will get the goals, if any?
1-1. Sory Kaba and Amad Diallo.
And finally, where do you expect both sides to finish? Can Sunderland creep into the play-offs and will Cardiff avoid the drop?
I think Sunderland will just miss out on the play-offs, truth be told, but a win today could change that. For Cardiff, it's all about staying out of that bottom three. I think they will - just.
