Preview: Cardiff v SWFC

Wednesday will be hoping to continue their superb form as they kick their Easter campaign off with a tricky tie against the promotion-chasing Bluebirds at Ninian Park on Saturday.

Dave Jones' men have come off the boil somewhat since their electric start to the season but are still hopeful of grabbing a play-off spot, starting with three points against Wednesday at the weekend.

The Owls will be taking their impressive seven-game unbeaten run in to the game but the Bluebirds will be desperate to return to winning ways following the disappointing defeat at home to in-form Sunderland last weekend.

Brian Laws told the official SWFC site:

'Whenever you're in good form you always want the games to come thick and fast and here we go we've got them coming thick and fast. We're playing Cardiff on Saturday and then straight away we have the Monday game, so it gives us a good platform.

'Seven games undefeated will certainly give us a great opportunity going to the likes of Cardiff and then come home and show the supporters what we've been doing away from home because they've not seen us for a wee while. I'm looking forward to it; the Easter programme always seems to be exciting for one thing or another.'

An injury to Riccy Scimeca last weekend could prove to be the biggest blow for Blurbirds boss Dave Jones as he takes his side in to the final furlong of the season.

The former Nottingham Forest man was subbed after the first half of last weekend's defeat at home to Sunderland and could be forced to sit out the remainder of the season.

Another injury blow to City is that of the experienced Glen Loovens, who could again be sidelined for the rest of the season and will miss the visit of the Owls.

Chopra could well prove to be the signing of the season in the Championship should his goals fire City to the play-off spots this season. The former Barnsley and Newcastle hitman has been in fine form all season with 21 goals to his name in the Championship - and he'll be hoping to add to that tally against the Owls this weekend.

Pacey winger Jermaine Johnson looks set to miss out on a return to action following a knee injury and contracting chicken pox earlier in the week and being sent home from training.

The former Bradford man twisted his knee in the draw with Plymouth Argyle and hasn't featured since - and he's likely to miss the Ipswich clash on Monday.

The news means Marcus Tudgay is again likely to start on the right wing, allowing Deon Burton and Steve Maclean to continue their partnership in the Wednesday attack, while Rocky Lekaj will continue on the bench.

In-form right-back Frank Simek will again be missing for Brian Laws as he sits out the second of his three-match suspension for his sending off in the home draw with Wolves three weeks ago.

Lee Bullen is likely to continue at right-back, with Steve Watson filling in alongside Richard Wood in the heart of the Wednesday defence.

Striker Leon Clarke could return to the squad after Brian Laws rejected an approach from League One side Oldham to extend his loan deal at Boundary Park further.

Owls winger Chris Brunt has been the centre of most of the 'player to watch' features, but experienced striker Deon Burton has been impressing of late with his superb play and neat goals. The former Derby and Portsmouth man is out of contract at the end of the season and will be looking to impress to earn himself a new one.

Last Time Out:

Wednesday 0-0 Cardiff, Hillsborough, 25/11/06.

It may have looked like a dull 0-0 draw in the history books, but Cardiff City came to Hillsborough top of the pile by a stretch and firing on all cylinders. The new-look Wednesday side, under the guidance of new boss Brian Laws, played well to hold the table-toppers to a draw - and start their decline from top-spot in the Championship.

Head-To-Head:

Cardiff wins: 20
Wednesday wins: 20
Draws: 12

Form:

Cardiff: L-W-D-L-L
Wednesday: W-D-D-W-W

Previous Line-Ups:

Cardiff: Alexander, Gunter, Johnson, McNaughton, Ledley, Parry (Feeney 74), McPhail, Scimeca (Walton 46), Whittingham, Thompson, Chopra (Byrne 86)Subs not used: Forde, Blake.

Wednesday: Turner, Watson, Bullen, Wood, Gilbert, Tudgay, Lunt, Whelan, Brunt (Spurr 87), MacLean, Burton (Folly 86). Subs not used: Adamson, Hills, Lekaj.

Championship Matches:

Friday

Hull v Norwich
Leicester v Derby
Southend v Colchester

Saturday

Birmingham v Burnley
Cardiff v Sheff Wed
Coventry v QPR
Crystal Palace v Preston
Ipswich v Barnsley
Leeds v Plymouth
Luton v Southampton
Sunderland v Wolverhampton
West Brom v Stoke

Vs Ipswich Town (H) - 09/04/07

Vs West Brom (A) - 13/04/07

Vs Coventry City (H) - 21/04/07

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