Championship | Gameweek 34

Feb 22, 2025 at 12.30pm UK

Home Park

Plymouth vs Cardiff

Match preview

Plymouth may be fighting to stay in the Championship, but they have proved to be a tough side to beat in recent weeks, winning three, drawing two and losing one of their last six competitive matches.

After a 2-2 away draw with Sunderland, the Pilgrims have won three straight at home, beating West Bromwich Albion and Millwall before a memorable 1-0 win over Liverpool in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Unfortunately for Plymouth, they were unable to continue their good run of form on the road, going down 2-0 to Blackburn Rovers before taking a point from Wednesday's clash with bottom side Luton Town.

Maksym Taloverov cancelled out Luton's 55th-minute opener with his first goal since joining the club in January to ensure his side left Kenilworth Road with a hard-earned point.

However, the 1-1 draw means Plymouth have now gone 19 away league games without a win since beating Rotherham United in April 2024, highlighting one of the key issues behind the club's current predicament.

Plymouth, one point adrift of safety, will be eager to return to Home Park in search of a repeat of their 3-1 home win over Cardiff last season.

Cardiff sit three points above the relegation zone having won seven, drawn 11 and lost 14 of their 32 Championship games this season.

The Bluebirds have taken just one point from three games since their last win at home to Derby County on 25 January.That win was followed by a 7-0 thrashing of Leeds United at Elland Road, before a 2-1 defeat away to Portsmouth.

Cardiff avoided a third successive defeat in the Severnside derby against Bristol City last Saturday, as Yousef Salech's 90th-minute equaliser cancelled out Jason Knight's opener at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Salech's third goal since joining the club in the January transfer window maintained Cardiff's unbeaten home record in 2025 (W2, D3).

By contrast, the Bluebirds have failed to win any of their four Championship away games this calendar year (D2, L2), which could dampen their hopes of completing a first league double over Plymouth since 1948-49 following a 5-0 win in the reverse fixture in October.

Recent Performance

Plymouth Argyle Championship form:LDWWLD

Plymouth Argyle form (all competitions):DWWWLD

Cardiff City Championship form:WDWLLD

Cardiff City form (all competitions):DWLWLD

Team News

Plymouth will be without defender Brendan Galloway and captain Joe Edwards with leg and hamstring injuries respectively.Striker Ryan Hardie will be assessed after missing the midweek draw with Luton with a back problem.

Mustapha Bundu will lead the line for the hosts, with the Sierra Leone international looking to add to his tally of four goals and three assists in the Championship this season.

The Bluebirds will be without David Turnbull, Alex Robertson, Ollie Tanner and Jesper Daland.Captain Joe Ralls is a doubt for Saturday's away trip after missing the 1-1 draw at Bristol City with a groin injury.

Cardiff boss Omer Riza could be tempted to make changes to his side, with Aaron Ramsey, Chris Willock and Saleki all in contention for a starting berth.

Possible starting lineup

Plymouth Argyle possible starting lineup:

Hazard; Talovierov, Katic, Palsson; Sorinola, Randell, Houghton, Puchacz; Wright, Al Hajj; Bundu

Cardiff City possible starting lineup:

Alnwick; Ng, Goutas, Bagan, O'Dowda; Ramsey, Mannsverk; El Ghazi, Colwill, Willock; Salech