Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Wales Sport

Although Cardiff's five-match winless run and the empty seats may not fill Bluebirds fans with hope, they might at least be heartened by the return of former striker Jay Bothroyd.

Bothroyd, who played for Cardiff between 2008 and 2011, will be in the studio as a pundit for BBC 2 Wales' coverage of tonight's match.

A real fans' favourite during his time at Cardiff, the one-cap England forward is now playing for Muangthong United in Thailand.

With only around 3,500 tickets sold tonight, Cardiff could be on course for their lowest home crowd since they moved from Ninian Park to the Cardiff City Stadium in 2009.

Their lowest gate recorded to date was 5,545 for the Bluebirds' League Cup second round victory over Dagenham and Redbridge in August of that year.

Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Wales Sport

The magic of the cup does not seem to have gripped the Cardiff City Stadium yet.

Only around 3,500 tickets have been sold for tonight's game, and only a handful of fans have started taking their seats here.

It's making for a subdued atmosphere so far, though Cardiff manager Russell Slade will probably prefer that to the vitriol he encountered here on Sunday.

Some Cardiff fans called for his sacking during the 4-2 defeat to Watford, and there is a sense of discontent at the club at the moment.

Slade and his players could certainly do without a cup upset tonight.

Leeds United have been the victims in two of the most famous upsets caused by both Cardiff City and Colchester United in the FA Cup.

In February 1971, Ray Crawford scored the first goal for Fourth Division Colchester on their way to a 3-2 win over Division One leaders Leeds in the fifth round at Layer Road.

Image source, Getty Images

Leeds were also on top of the English league system when they were knocked out by a late Scott Young goal, going down 2-1 in the third round against Cardiff at Ninian Park in January 2002.

Young, now the Cardiff assistant boss, will be hoping his side are not the victims of a giant killing tonight.

Image source, Huw Evans picture agency

Nathan Blake
Former Wales striker

It's been two steps forward and two steps back, we've not gone anywhere. Russell Slade started well with five home wins but there were also five defeats away and we didn't go anywhere in the table.

The benefit of being in the Championship for Cardiff means that they enter the FA Cup at the third round stage, whereas their visitors from Essex had to negotiate their way through rounds one and two.

Colchester eased past a potential upset against non-league Conference South side Gosport Borough, with an emphatic 6-3 away win in the first round.

In round two, U's goalkeeper Sam Walker saved a penalty, before George Moncur scored a dramatic last minute winner at home against fellow League One side Peterborough to set up tonight's tie.

"Got the live stream to BBC Wales set up to watch the The U's win 3-0 in Fife!"

Colchester last played Cardiff in the Welsh capital in December 2007 in the Championship.

Midfielder Peter Whittingham scored for the Bluebirds that day in a 4-1 win for the Bluebirds at Ninian Park in front of 11,006.

Whittingham is the only surviving member from the Cardiff team that day to feature tonight.

Image source, Huw Evans picture agency

We're moving swiftly towards the 19:45 GMT kick-off. Who do you think will win tonight between Cardiff City and Colchester United? Let us know where you are for the match and what you're doing.

Colchester meanwhile, make only one change from their goalless draw at Crawley, with Cole Kpekawa replacing left-back Ben Gordon.

Colchester XI: Walker, Clohessy, Gorkss, Eastman, Kpekawa, Fox, Moncur, Szmodics, Hewitt, Sears, Massey.

Cardiff manager Russell Slade makes six changes to the team which lost 4-2 to Watford on Sunday, with Declan John, Peter Whittingham, Tom Adeyemi, Jon Brayford and Craig Noone the only survivors from that dismal display against the Hornets.

Cardiff XI: Moore, Brayford, Turner, Connolly, John, Whittingham, Adeyemi, Ralls, Harris, Noone, Macheda.

Subs: Wilson, Fabio, Ecuele Manga, Morrison, Kim, Le Fondre, Jones.

Good Evening and happy new year! Welcome to the first FA Cup third round tie of the weekend.

Championship club Cardiff City are looking to avoid an embarrassing defeat at home to League One strugglers Colchester United.

New Year's resolutions for both sides are to pick up their league form.

Colchester have won just once in their last four matches, whilst the Bluebirds have not tasted victory since the 1-0 away win at Watford on 29 November.

But less than 48 hours into 2015 and to put a positive spin on things, both sides are unbeaten this year!