Coventry v Cardiff

Last updated : 16 March 2010 By BBC Sport

Cardiff are without suspended striker Michael Chopra, while Kevin McNaughton is doubtful with a thigh problem.

Defender Gabor Gyepes, who missed Saturday's defeat at Leicester, has seen a back specialist and may return to the Bluebirds' squad.

MATCH PREVIEW

A run of only one defeat in 10 matches has seen Coventry rise up the table from 17th to eighth - and they now get the chance to move into the play-off places.

Cardiff have remained in the top six despite losing four of their last five games. But their position has been precarious for some time, with a group of teams - including Coventry - breathing down their necks.

The Sky Blues' dramatic improvement has largely been down to their excellent home form, which is an ominous sign for the Bluebirds as they look to end a dismal run of away results.

The Welsh club, plagued by problems both on and off the pitch, have slumped to four consecutive away defeats and have failed to score in their last three away games.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Cardiff have won their last three Championship matches against Coventry, scoring two goals in each of them.

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• Coventry's 3-1 victory in April 2006 is their only home league win against the Bluebirds in 44 years.

• The Sky Blues have managed one win in seven league games against Cardiff and have failed to score in four of those matches.

Coventry

• Coventry are unbeaten in eight home matches since leaders Newcastle won 2-0 at the Ricoh Arena on 9 December.

• It is their longest unbeaten home run in a single season since they went 12 undefeated in the 2005/06 campaign.

• Striker Clinton Morrison could make his 450th career league appearance.

Cardiff

• Failure to beat Coventry will make this Cardiff's worst run of the season. This is the second time this term the Bluebirds have managed just three points from a possible 15.

• The Welsh side have won all 11 league games in which they have kept clean sheets.

• Like Coventry, they have opened the scoring in 21 Championship games. Only leaders Newcastle eclipse that, scoring first in 22 matches.

• Jay Bothroyd is set to play against one of his former clubs.

• Bothroyd, who has scored Cardiff's only goal in five games, needs one more to reach 50 in English league football.

• Pete Whittingham and Tony Capaldi are set to make their 200th career league appearances, and Gavin Rae his 400th club career appearance.

MOST RECENT MEETING

Cardiff 2-0 Coventry (20 October 2009)

Cardiff scorers: Gerrard 5, Whittingham (pen) 60.

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport