Wembley awaits – Carling Cup Semi Final, Second leg. Cardiff City vs Crystal Palace

Cardiff City host Crystal Palace tomorrow night in the second leg of the Carling Cup Semi Final. Palace hold a slender one goal advantage from the first leg. Cardiff, still aggrieved at a seemingly legitimate disallowed Kenny Miller goal, will be looking to turn their fortunes around and reach Wembley for the fourth time in four years. The sides are led by two young Scots, Malky Mackay and Dougie Freedman. The up-and-coming managers will be looking to achieve something they never did as a player, qualify for a major final.

(Freedman and Mackay, well regarded)

Depending on what you consider to be the Eagles best XI will determine how many players you think Freedman decided to rest on Saturday in the Eagles’ defeat to Blackpool, some claiming up to 9 players were left out of his side. All of those rested will be available for Palace come tomorrow night, the visitors also welcome back the tricky Sean Scannell (ban) and Alex Marrow and former Derby and Exeter man Dean Moxey (injuries) to their squad. Malky Mackay’s focus remains on the league fielding his best available side against Portsmouth on Saturday, the likelihood is that the game will come too soon for full-back Kevin McNaughton whereas French striker Rudy Gestede may be fit enough for a place on ‘le bench’ meaning Mackay will stick with the same side that picked up all three points against their 2008 FA Cup final opponents – the only decision the ex Watford man will need to take is who to play in goal.

The league fixture between the sides back in November in the Welsh capital saw the home side coming out on top with a 2-0 victory courtesy of goals from Kenny Miller and Peter Whittingham. Palace are yet to return from the hosts new Cardiff City Stadium collecting anything more than a point. The Bluebirds' recent league form is good, in the last 8 games they’ve won 4, drawn 3 and lost just 1, in contrast Palace have won 3, drawn 1 and lost 4, in those 8 games Palace have found it difficult to find the back of the net, scoring just seven times. This trend isn’t out of the ordinary as in their 27 league games to date they’ve breeched the opposition defence on a lowly 26 occassions.

The first goal in this match is crucial; if Palace, backed by the best part of 4000 travelling fans, take the lead this one could be all over bar the shouting. However should Cardiff take the lead they rarely surrender it. The visitors are yet to draw a game away from Selhurst Park this season, a fact that only adds weight to which ever side scores first is most likely going to go on and win this one. Will Palace try to defend what they have? If so, they could be in trouble, as Cardiff have the players that could hurt Freedman’s men. The aforementioned Miller and Whittingham assisted by Joe Mason all have the ability to cause problems. Whittingham, linked with a January move to the Premier League, is Cardiff’s key man, the former Villa player takes free kicks and penalties and is available at a juicy 11/4 with Paddy Power (just 2/1 elsewhere) to score at anytime – a bet we think is worth taking.

(Peter Whittingham, 'he does what he wants' pictured here with Kenny Miller)

Cardiff buoyed by Craig Conway’s late strike on the weekend will have their tails up, not much is being said to the press by the Welsh side which contrasts to that of Palace, clearly this is one of the biggest games in the clubs' recent history. We think that with home advantage Cardiff will prove too strong for Palace, the Welsh side can be backed at 4/5 to win in 90 minutes.

Selections

Cardiff to beat Crystal Palace in 90 minutes at 4/5 with William Hill

Peter Whittingham to score at anytime at 11/4 with Paddy Power