PREM: Cardiff v Huddersfield preview

Cardiff v Huddersfield preview

Huddersfield travel to Cardiff City on Saturday for what could turn out to be a crucial Premier League fixture in the battle to avoid the drop.

The Terriers play relegation rivals Cardiff, who sit one place above the bottom three, eight points ahead of David Wagner's side.

A 10th successive Huddersfield defeat could see the points gap between them and safety extended to double figures and Wagner said he takes full responsibility for their plight at the foot of the Premier League.

Huddersfield have lost a club-record nine straight matches in all competitions and have won only two league games this season.

Wagner said injuries and suspensions have not helped his cause and that seven of those nine defeats have been by a solitary goal, but the Terriers boss insists the buck stops with him.

"I know this is part of the job and I know that it is my responsibility," said the German.

"This is the truth. Since I arrived I have had responsibility for this football club and this means not only the three years, but the last six weeks as well.

"They were not what we wanted or matched the ambitions I had and I'm responsible for it.

"As I said I'm responsible for everything that happened before these six weeks and also for what has happened during them.

"This is what I take on the chin. All together, individually, every player has to take it on the chin, step up and take responsibility for what is in front of us."

 

Cardiff boss Neil Warnock will give late fitness tests to key midfielders Victor Camarasa and Harry Arter, who picked up slight knocks over the festive period.

Kenneth Zohore (thigh), Jazz Richards (hamstring), Kadeem Harris (knee) and Danny Ward (facial injury) have all been ruled out.

Huddersfield forward Jason Puncheon is expected to make his Premier League debut for the club.

Puncheon, on loan from Crystal Palace, started in last week's FA Cup defeat at Bristol City after joining until the end of the season.

Defender Christopher Schindler returns to contention after serving a one-game ban and Wagner is expected to recall Jonas Lossl in place of Ben Hamer in goal. Aaron Mooy, Danny Williams (both knee), Abdelhamid Sabiri (collarbone) and Tommy Smith are all still out.