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Goals from Ryan Wintle and Callum Robinson were sandwiched by two Stoke strikes at the bet365 Stadium last Saturday as Cardiff resumed their second-tier campaign after the World Cup break with a point in Staffordshire.
Mark Hudson enjoyed a fruitful start to his reign as boss in South Wales collecting seven points from a possible nine in his first three matches, however since then the Bluebirds have won just twice in nine Championship fixtures, leaving them positioned precariously in 20th in the league standings.
Cardiff were one of the Championship’s busiest clubs in terms of incomings during the summer transfer window, but neither the departed Steve Morison or current boss Hudson have been able to gel a group of talented players into a team that can consistently earn points in this division.
Having managed just 19 goals in 22 second-tier matches so far, Cardiff possess the joint-worst attacking record in the league and rely heavily on the likes of ex-West Bromwich Albion man Robinson and summer arrival Callum O’Dowda for goals and assists.
As is often the way for Championship teams, a lack of attacking prowess is counteracted by defensive solidity and such is true with Cardiff, as the Welsh side have conceded just 10 times in 11 home matches, with only Coventry City and Millwall allowing fewer goals past them on home soil this season.
An emotionally-charged victory over local rivals Preston North End in late October feels a long time ago for The Seasiders, who are now languishing in 23rd position in the Championship, two points from safety.
Pressure from the fanbase is beginning to grow considerably on Appleton and with two away clashes against Cardiff and Hull City up next, the former Lincoln City boss may not be celebrating the turn of the year in Blackpool if results do not pick up in the coming weeks.
Similar to the Championship table as the season approaches its midway point, the division’s Golden Boot race is remarkably tight, with Blackpool’s Jerry Yates tied with nine other marksmen on nine goals, meaning the 26-year-old has already netted more than he managed in the entirety of the last campaign.
Cardiff striker Jaden Philogene-Bidace returned to training this week after a hernia operation, but it is unlikely Hudson will rush the youngster into the XI this weekend despite the importance of earning three points against the struggling Seasiders.
Isaak Davies remains out until early January for the Bluebirds, with the 21-year-old sustaining a serious knee injury in last season’s Championship defeat at Derby County.
Blackpool forward Jake Beesley was a late substitute during the draw with Birmingham last weekend, with Appleton handing the 26-year-old his first minutes since the attacker fractured his foot at the start of pre-season, although the Blackpool boss has stated Beesley’s gametime needs to be managed carefully after such a long time out.
Gary Madine was taken off relatively early against Blues last time out with the forward suffering with illness that disrupted his preparations for the return of Championship action, but the veteran should be available for selection at the Cardiff City Stadium.
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Captain Marvin Ekpiteta will serve the second of his two-match suspension following a red card in the defeat against Wigan Athletic before the break, meaning James Husband and Rhys Williams will continue as the centre-back partnership.
A whole host of first-team players remain out for Blackpool, with the likes of Theo Corbeanu, Keshi Anderson and Jordan Gabriel not expected back until January at the earliest.
Cardiff City possible starting lineup:
Allsopp; Romeo, Ng, Kipre, Nkounkou; Rinomhota, Wintle, Ralls; Whyte, Robinson, O’Dowda
Blackpool possible starting lineup:
Maxwell; Connolly, Williams, Husband, Garbutt; Carey, Dougall, Patino; Lavery, Madine, Yates