Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Wales Sport

Colchester's travelling supporters seem to be enjoying mocking their counterparts, asking the home crowd, "Is this a library?"

Cardiff's fans have had little to cheer so far, though there was a brief moment of excitement when Joe Ralls' well-struck shot was palmed away by Colchester goalkeeper Sam Walker.

Despite Joe Ralls' shot, Cardiff are struggling to settle and string together many passes.

They have lost possession far too easily to a determined Colchester in the opening quarter.

Colchester's Sam Walker keeps out Joe Ralls' long-range effort.

The Cardiff midfielder struck a powerful low shot from outside the area, but Walker dived to his right to parry it away to safety.

Nathan Blake
Former Wales striker

Cardiff need to adopt some hard running early in this game to make it easier for themselves later.

Cardiff goalkeeper Simon Moore saves Freddie Sears' direct free-kick.

The former West Ham striker and U's top scorer hit his shot towards the corner, but Moore was equal to it.

Tom Adeyemi has an effort blocked by a Colchester defender and U's keeper Sam Walker safely gathers the ball.

"I am an Arsenal fan and I'm going in for Cardiff City to win by 2 goals to nil."

Nathan Blake
Former Wales striker

Cardiff have gone to one down the middle, two out wide, Peter Whittingham sitting in the hole... a lot of people have been calling for this formation.

How are you enjoying the early action? Let us know

Image source, Getty Images

Colchester win the first corner of the game after three minutes after a scrappy opening.

Cardiff clear the danger. A bright start by the League One visitors.

Iwan Roberts
Former Wales striker

Colchester's main man is Freddie Sears… but I don't think he's scored in his last nine or 10 games so he's not been in good form.

Colchester get things underway

Nathan Blake
Former Wales striker

Over the last four or five games it's become very obvious that Cardiff are struggling in defence - they haven't kept a clean sheet for four matches.

Both sides are out just minutes away from kick-off.

Can Colchester cause an upset?

"It gives an opportunity for one or two to step up but we want to win a football match."

"Hopefully a good game for the neutral (which I am - Newcastle fan living in Cardiff originally from Yorkshire) as both teams look like they could do with a good run of form. Only here as I was passing by and saw the floodlights were on... You got to love the FA Cup."

Nathan Blake
Former Wales striker

It's a very strong Cardiff team and a very strong bench. I expect a comfortable win tonight.

And in terms of volume, class and the hope of bringing in new players to boost Cardiff's Championship campaign, manager Russell Slade might opt for Dame Shirley Bassey.

Perhaps a rendition of Hey Big Spender could aid Slade's bid for owner Vincent Tan to relax the purse strings for some new players in the January transfer window.

Image source, Getty Images

With so many empty seats at the Cardiff City Stadium tonight, both sets of fans could maybe think of home for some musical inspiration to rouse their team.

Colchester could call upon Britpop band Blur, who hail from the Essex town.

Image source, Getty Images

"Cardiff vs Colchester! Two strugglers facing off... best way to spend Friday night! 1-1 draw."