Premier League Preview: Southampton v Cardiff City

Cardiff City are running out of opportunities to salvage their Premier League status ahead of an away game at Southampton on Saturday.

Last month’s 3-1 win over fellow strugglers Fulham represents the only victory in 10 games for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, who have lost three of their last four and suffered a damaging 3-0 home reverse to Crystal Palace last time out.

As a result, the Welsh team lie second-bottom of the table and six points from safety with five matches remaining.

The two teams immediately above Cardiff – Fulham and Norwich City – square off in a vital clash this weekend, meaning Solskjaer’s men stand to enjoy full value from a victory on the south coast, with the prospect of their nearest rivals taking points off one another.

However, that looks a tall order against a Southampton side playing with a freedom allowed by a league position of eighth, and Solskjaer will have to cope without winger Craig Noone.

The 26-year-old was injured against Palace and is not expected to feature again this season.

One man definitely out for the rest of the campaign is luckless Southampton forward Jay Rodriguez, who saw his hopes of making England’s FIFA World Cup squad cruelly ended when he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament at Manchester City last weekend.

Rodriguez has scored 15 Premier League goals this season and his absence is a major blow to Southampton as they aim to finish the season on a high note.

However, a trio of Mauricio Pochettino’s players – striker Rickie Lambert, playmaker Adam Lallana and full-back Luke Shaw – remain very much in contention to gain a World Cup place.

All three impressed at the Etihad Stadium, where Southampton dominated for long periods in the first half before falling to a 4-1 defeat against Manuel Pellegrini’s title chasers.

Lambert could certainly serve to cure a long-standing problem for England at major tournaments – his penalty in Manchester was his 34th successful spot-kick in as many attempts.

Following a brief slump in which they sustained three consecutive defeats in all competitions, Pochettino’s team have won three of their last five matches and scored 12 times during this period.

Southampton will no doubt fancy continuing their free-scoring form as they come up against a Cardiff side struggling desperately to keep goals out.

Prior to their 3-0 loss against Palace, Cardiff conceded three at West Brom and six at home to Liverpool, although they did at least score three goals in each of those games.

It remains to be seen whether goalkeeper Artur Boruc (back) and forward Gaston Ramirez (ankle) will feature for Southampton after both men missed the game against City.