Derby County v Cardiff City. Match preview

Last updated : 16 March 2007 By Michael Morris
The Championship is proving to be the most exciting division in the football league this year. The battle to get out of the division is being matched in as much drama as the battle to stay in the Championship.

Cardiff City's attention, fortunately, is focussed on the top of the table.

The Bluebirds face Derby County at Pride Park tomorrow. Derby are level on points with Birmngham at the top of the table and both teams sit 7 points ahead of City. Cardiff cannot afford to lose to the Rams and drop 10 points behind, surely that would be too much to hope to recover with only 7 games to go. A City win though and Derby would be just 4 points away and City would stay in the automatic promotion race.

This midweek both teams drew thanks to late goals. Peter Whittingham completed City's comeback at Southampton in the 85th minute while Derby left it later to rescue a point at home to struggling Q.P.R.

Earlier in the season Derby, who were struggling in the table, pinched a last minute equaliser at Ninian Park and then went on an amazing run which saw them win 14 of the next 17 games. Their form has dropped off though with only 2 wins from the last 7 games.

On the pitch City could be missing Glenn Loovens with either Darren Purse coming back from injury or Kevin McNaughton being re-positioned. Derby will have new signing Darren Currie available.

Kick off is at 3:00pm and a remimder to the City fans travelling to Pride Park that you must take your membership cards.