'No other option' than to beat Luton - Riza

Omer Riza was appointed Cardiff City manager until the end of the season in December 2024

Omer Riza says Cardiff City have "no other option" than to beat fellow strugglers Luton Town in their Championship relegation scrap on Tuesday (19:45 GMT).

The Hatters are bottom-but-one in the table, five points adrift of Cardiff, who occupy the place directly above the relegation zone.

Both teams go into the game at the Cardiff City Stadium after weekend defeats to promotion contenders.

Luton suffered a 4-0 thrashing at Burnley, while Cardiff went down 2-1 against Sunderland.

"It's another must-win game," said Bluebirds boss Riza.

"We are at home, our form hasn't been too bad at home. They are in the position that they are in and we need to win.

"It's a massive game, they're in trouble, we're in trouble and we need to get three points, there's no other option."

Like Cardiff, Luton have changed managers this season due to poor results.

The Hatters appointed former Wycombe head coach Bloomfield in January, succeeding Rob Edwards, while Cardiff replaced Erol Bulut with Riza earlier in the season.

"They've made a managerial change and have got their problems but I'm not too interested in Luton and the problems they've got. We've got to look at ourselves, we need to get our points and to do it ASAP," added Riza.

"Fifty [points] is the target, we've just got to focus on trying to win games and pick up points."

Cardiff's defeat at Sunderland means they have only one win from 18 away league games this season, but they have been more formidable opponents on their own patch.

Defeat to Burnley last week was Cardiff's first loss in seven home fixtures in the second tier.

Luton, meanwhile, have won just once in their past 14 league games, while they have banked only five points from a possible 54 on the road this season.