Cardiff City are on the road again after a two-match lay-off following a coronavirus outbreak within the camp.
Top-of-the-table Bournemouth are the next opponents for Steve Morison's men.
Here's everything you need to know about the clash.
What time is Bournemouth v Cardiff City kick-off?
The game between the Championship rivals kicks off at 7.45pm on Thursday, December 30 at Bournemouth's Vitality Stadium.
Is Bournemouth v Cardiff City on TV?
Yes.
Fans can catch all the action on the red button on Sky Sports Football.
Coverage starts from kick-off at 7.45pm.
You can also follow live updates from the match via our blog which will be available on our Cardiff City page.
What about streaming?
Supporters can stream the match through the Sky Go app, or alternatively they can purchase their Match Pass on Cardiff City TV for only £10 here .
What is the team news?
Cardiff City captain Sean Morrison comes back into contention after serving a one-match suspension following his red card against Sheffield United.
It likely means three of Morrison, Mark McGuinness, Aden Flint and Curtis Nelson will operate as the three centre-backs.
Sam Bowen is still a doubt with a foot injury and so, too, is Tom Sang, who has struggled this season following surgery on his big toe at the back end of last term.
Isaac Vassell continues to be the long-term absentee. Otherwise, Cardiff appear to have reported a clean bill of health following their Covid struggles.
For the hosts, Lloyd Kelly could return after missing the clash with QPR on Boxing Day as he overcame coronavirus.
Steve Cook was also missing that day for the Cherries as Scott Parker revealed interest in the player ahead of the January window, so that logic could rule him out again.
READ MORE: All the latest Cardiff City news, views and features right here
What have the managers said
Bournemouth boss Scott Parker: “It’s been difficult, but it’s part and parcel of what we do.
"Me and my staff have been in this division many a time and we were going into [the QPR] game having not won a game in six, lost the last two, so there was huge pressure on us, coming to a very difficult place.
"This is only the second time this year they’ve not scored a goal in a home game. So we knew how tough it was.
"I always go back to process, I always go back to what do we need to bring. So it’s a big result for us, for everyone.
"Hopefully we can take this now into Thursday against Cardiff and keep moving."”
Cardiff boss Steve Morison: “We haven’t had rhythm or routine because we’ve all been at home. Our first day back was [on Monday].
"We’re back on the grass now and and back in the building with slightly different measures now. We turn up, we train, get our food and go home so it’s slightly different to what it was prior, but the main thing is that everyone is healthy and as fit as they can be at the present moment.
"As I've said, the league doesn’t lie. They’re at the top because they deserve to be at the top. It was an exciting game to watch. We’ve just got to worry about ourselves.”
Who is the referee?
James Linington will whistle the match, supported by Robert Hyde and Nigel Lugg. Charles Breakspear is the fourth official.
Latest odds
Bournemouth 8/13
Draw 3/1
Cardiff 9/2
(Odds courtesy of bet365 and correct at time of publication)
Match facts
- Bournemouth are looking to complete a league double over Cardiff for the first time since the 1999-00 season under Mel Machin.
- Following a 2-1 win at the Vitality Stadium last season, Cardiff are looking to win consecutive away league games against Bournemouth for the first time.
- Having been unbeaten in their first seven home league games this season (W5 D2), Bournemouth have now lost two of their last four at the Vitality Stadium (W1 D1).
- Since beating Blackpool 2-0 in their first away league game this season, Cardiff haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last 10 on the road. However, the Bluebirds are unbeaten in their last four away games in the Championship (W2 D2).
- Bournemouth have lost their final league game in each of the last three calendar years. They’ve never done so in four consecutive years in their history in the top four tiers of English football.
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