By Chris O'Brien
December 27 2004

Following the Boxing Day draw with Wolves, the Bluebirds complete the December calendar with a visit to Vicarage Road to face Ray Lewington’s Watford. The League Cup semi-finalists have hit a dreadful run of form recently.

Cardiff City visit off-form Watford on Tuesday, desperate for points as the Football League Championship struggle rumbles on. The Bluebirds need a win to make sure they do not start the New Year in the relegation zone and may fancy their chances against a Hornets side that’s taken just one point from their last five outings.

 

With Danny Webber scoring for fun in the early part of the season, Watford looked as if they may be able to maintain a promotion challenge. Impressive performances, including a 3-0 win at Ninian Park, saw the Hornets flying high. The club have also made the semi-finals of the League Cup, where they will battle it out with Liverpool for a place at the Millennium Stadium. However, recent form has taken a nose-dive.

 

Lennie Lawrence is expected to make at least one change from the side that drew 1-1 with Wolverhampton on Boxing Day. Richard Langley, now back to full fitness, will return to the starting XI with Joe Ledley injured on Sunday. This means Langley could be forced to play in the relatively unfamiliar left flank role. Tony Vidmar may also continue as a holding midfielder, with Lee Bullock and Junichi Inamoto warming the bench.

 

Rhys Weston is set to continue on the right-hand side of defence, with Darren Williams injured. He will be joined by James Collins, stand-in skipper Daniel Gabbidon and Chris Barker to make up a four-man backline. Lawrence is unlikely to be pressured into dropping Tony Warner, so the Englishman should start between the sticks.

 

Cameron Jerome should continue to partner Peter Thorne in a two-pronged attack after the teenager netted City’s only goal against Wolves – his fourth of the campaign. Stuart Fleetwood will be a substitute with Alan Lee still nursing a hernia. Meanwhile, Andy Campbell will continue to do nothing in particular back in his Cardiff home!

 

The bookies have Watford as favourites to record their first home league win since August, priced at 10/11. However, I see Cardiff at 13/5 as a great pick and fancy a 1-0 away win at Vicarage Road on Tuesday afternoon. If you think the spoils will be shared for a second successive Bluebirds game – odds are 12/5.

 

With Nottingham Forest entertaining Sunderland and Gillingham facing Coventry City, it is another big day for Cardiff City. Is time running out for Lennie Lawrence? City face Ray Lewington’s side in a 3 o’clock kick-off with both sides desperate for points. Enjoy the game.