West Brom head to south Wales and could condemn Cardiff fate

An away victory would send the Bluebirds down to the third tier for the first time since 2003, ending a run of more than two decades in the second tier or better - Cardiff have managed two one-season Premier League spells in that time.

But this season has unravelled for City, who last Friday sacked Omer Riza following a 2-0 defeat to Sheffield United.

Riza was appointed on a permanent basis in December after a two-month caretaker stint following the early-season dismissal of Turk Erol Bulut.

Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey, 34, the former Arsenal and Juventus star, returned to his boyhood club in 2023 and was placed in interim charge last week. He will go head-to-head with an on-field adversary in Albion caretaker James Morrison at the Cardiff City Stadium.

The second-bottom Bluebirds have mustered just one victory in 11 games in all competitions - 10 in the league - and have been dragged down into the mire to a point where survival is out of their hands.

Even a draw against Albion, if Luton or Derby record wins elsewhere, would not be enough for Cardiff to survive.

The hosts - level with basement boys Plymouth on 43 points - must win to ensure they can still reel in the Hatters and the Rams. Fifth-bottom Hull are not yet safe. Neither, mathematically, are Oxford, Preston and Stoke up to 17th.

But Cardiff eyes will be on Derby and Luton directly above. A miserable Albion display did Cardiff no favours on Monday when Derby won 3-1 at The Hawthorns.

Cardiff, under Ramsey for the first time, led at home to rivals Oxford but succumbed to a late equaliser. The Bluebirds were the only team of the Championship's bottom five not to win on Monday.

Ramsey, who remains on a playing contract, has given no hints regarding the job on a full-time basis.

Cardiff finished 12th last season, an improvement on scraping survival in 21st the previous campaign and 18th before that.