Malky Mackay can expect a tremendous reception from the home crowd after his job was secured 'for the foreseeable future'. The publicity generated last weekend humbled Mackay and the support from the Cardiff supporters at Anfield was incredible.
Fans are due to protest at CCS today from 1pm to reinforce their support for the manager.
Cardiff face a Southampton side that have not won the last 6 games.
Early team news
Dani Osvaldo, Luke Shaw, Nathaniel Clyne and Kelvin Davis could all return for injury-hit Southampton at Cardiff on Boxing Day.
The quartet will have various injuries and ailments assessed on Christmas Eve to see whether they are able to return for the Barclays Premier League clash in south Wales.
Jose Fonte and Maya Yoshida were on the bench for Sunday's 3-2 defeat to Tottenham due to slight problems, while Artur Boruc (hand), Victor Wanyama (shin) and Guly do Prado (knee) remain sidelined.
Craig Bellamy looks set to miss out as the veteran forward continues to struggle with a knee problem.
Manager Malky Mackay may decide to restore Fraizer Campbell to his starting line-up having left the striker on the bench for the weekend defeat at Anfield.
Kim Bo-kyung is also pushing for a recall to the starting XI, and could come into the side at the expense of Aaron Gunnarsson.
Match Appointments
Referee: Andre Marriner. Assistants: S Massey, M Perry. Fourth Official: R East.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
- Cardiff have won their last seven home matches with Southampton, each by a one-goal margin.
- The away side has not won this fixture in the last 17 league attempts since Southampton's 5-3 win at Ninian Park on 27 December 1965.
Cardiff
- Cardiff have taken seven points from the last 12 available at home.
- The Bluebirds have gained five points from losing positions this season (W1, D2). Only Aston Villa (seven) in the bottom half of the table have more.
- Malky Mackay's side have scored just five goals in their last nine Premier League games, and four of those have come in the second half.
- Peter Whittingham has been involved in half of Cardiff's last 12 league goals, with two goals and four assists.
Southampton
- Southampton are winless in their last six league matches. They are yet to endure a seven-game winless streak since they returned to the Premier League.
- Mauricio Pochettino's side have gone a league-high eight games without keeping a clean sheet, and conceded 17 goals in the process.
- Southampton have won only one of their previous 12 Premier League games played on 26 December (W1, D6, L5) and scored just three goals in their last seven top-flight Boxing Day matches.
- Adam Lallana has scored four goals in 17 league games this season, bettering his tally of three goals in 30 top-flight appearances last campaign.
Teams
Cardiff (from): Marshall, Connolly, Taylor, Caulker, Hudson, Turner, Whittingham, Medel, Cornelius, Campbell, Odemwingie, Brayford, Kim, Smith, Noone, Gunnarsson, Mutch, Cowie, Maynard, Theophile-Catherine, Lewis, Bellamy, John.
Southampton (from): K Davis, Gazzaniga, Cropper, Chambers, Clyne, Shaw, Fox, Fonte, Hooiveld, Lovren, Yoshida, Cork, Schneiderlin, S Davis, Ward-Prowse, Reed, Ramirez, Rodriguez, Lallana, Gallagher, Osvaldo, Lambert.