Premier League: Cardiff vs Liverpool preview

Cardiff are fighting for their survival in the top flight and their struggle will be quite complicated on Sunday as they host leaders Liverpool at Cardiff City Stadium. The Reds won the reverse fixture 4-1 at the end of October, with goals from Mohamed Salah, Xherdan Shaqiri and a double from Sadio Mane. That was the third consecutive win for Liverpool against Cardiff, in the 2013-2014 season they won 3-1 at Anfield and 6-3 in Wales. Overall, Liverpool have won the last five direct matches in all competitions and have not lost a game against Cardiff since 1959, when both teams were playing in Division Two. Cardiff have given themselves a breath of fresh air and a big confidence boost this week as they secured a 2-0 victory at fellow relegation contenders Brighton. They do remain in the relegation zone, but the gap towards Brighton was narrowed to just two points. Cardiff have four Premier League matches remaining until the end of the season and winning at least two of them would give them a realistic chance of surviving in the top flight. They could get one of those wins next week when they visit already relegated Fulham, but then they face Crystal Palace and Manchester United, both tough matches. Aron Gunnarsson picked up an injury last weekend but he could recover in time for this match, while Harry Arter is also a doubt. Sol Bamba, Matthew Connolly and Callum Paterson are out injured. Liverpool have no choice but to win this match in order to preserve their place at the top of the table, at least until defending champions Manchester City play their game in hand. The Reds have to win all the four matches they have left until the end of the season in order to have a realistic hope of winning the title, they face Huddersfield, Newcastle and Wolves after Cardiff. In between those matches they also have a fierce battle against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals, this week they qualified for the last four with an impressive 4-1 victory at FC Porto in the quarter-finals. Roberto Firmino, Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita were all rested in midweek and should return to the starting eleven on Sunday, while Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren are injury doubts. Probable line-ups: Cardiff: Etheridge - Peltier, Manga, Morrison, Bennett - Mendez-Laing, Camarasa, Gunnarsson, Ralls, Hoilett - Niasse Liverpool: Alisson - Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson - Henderson, Fabinho, Keita - Salah, Firmino, Mane My prediction: Liverpool to win 3-0, Cardiff will try to fight for at least a point, but the Reds are too strong at the moment. Here are the odds for the match at Bet365: Cardiff win - 17.00 Draw - 6.50 Liverpool win - 1.20