You can't keep Joe Ralls out of the action for long.

He fires in a half-volley from 25 yards and Sunderland goalkeeper Robbin Ruiter makes an outstanding save to deny the Cardiff midfielder.

Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales at Cardiff City Stadium

Image source, Rex Features

It's been a fairly even start to this game, with Cardiff their usual confrontational selves as they attack from set-pieces and Sunderland showing some threat on the break.

Despite expecting a hostile reception from the home fans, Sunderland's Swansea-born manager Chris Coleman has only had a couple of gently mocking chants directed at him by the Cardiff supporters.

Cardiff's best move of the match almost creates an opening goal for Joe Ralls.

The hosts pick the ball up quickly in midfield and Junior Hoilett picks out the onrushing Ralls 15 yards out, but Ralls' shot dribbles through to the goalkeeper.

Image source, Rex Features

Interestingly, Chris Coleman has never won a league match against a Welsh club side in eight previous attempts.

His Sunderland side have shown a bit more of an attacking threat in recent minutes, but Cardiff goalkeeper Neil Etheridge has been untroubled so far.

Sunderland have their first effort on goal - George Honeyman turns on the edge of the box but his left-foot shot sails over the crossbar.

This game is the first in today's eight-hour EFL marathon.

Image source, PA

Barnsley are the next Championship side aiming to stop the champions elect.

Wolves have a 12-point lead at the top of the table and haven't lost since 28 October.

They also took the opportunity to rest most of their first team for their FA Cup tie with Swansea last weekend, meaning key men like forward Diogo Jota are fresh for today's trip to Oakwell.

Some very good work from Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, who chases down two lost causes to keep the ball alive, earns Cardiff a corner.

Sunderland scramble it clear, but it's not at all convincing, and the home side might fancy their chances of scoring from a set-piece today.

Now it has - Cardiff's Joe Ralls whips in a free-kick and Sean Morrison's tame header is straight at Sunderland goalkeeper Robbin Ruiter.

A very quiet start in south Wales. I don't think the ball has been in either penalty box yet.

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Cardiff in all blue, Sunderland in red and white stripes.

Both sides need points but for very different reasons.

We're under way at a cloudy but dry Cardiff City Stadium.

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Jake Clarke-Salter makes his Sunderland debut after joining on loan from Chelsea earlier this week, while Cardiff's new loan signing Yanic Wildschut will hope to be introduced from the bench later on.

Cardiff: Etheridge, Richards, Morrison, Manga, Bamba, Bennett, Ralls, Paterson, Hoilett, Mendez-Laing, Zohore.

Sunderland: Ruiter, Jones, Oviedo, O'Shea, Clarke-Salter, Browning, Wilson, Ndong, Honeyman, Gooch, Maja.

Cardiff centre-back Sol Bamba is 33 years old today.

The big Ivory Coast international has been a revelation at the heart of the Bluebirds' defence this term and has popped up with a couple of important goals too.

He scored in Cardiff's most recent victory - a 1-0 success against Hull on 16 December - but does he start today?

Image source, PA

• Cardiff City v Sunderland (12:30 GMT)
• Barnsley v Wolves
• Birmingham City v Derby County
• Brentford v Bolton Wanderers
• Bristol City v Norwich City
• Burton Albion v Queens Park Rangers
• Hull City v Reading
• Ipswich Town v Leeds United
• Middlesbrough v Fulham
• Millwall v Preston North End
• Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa (17:30 GMT)

Results have improved a little bit since Chris Coleman's appointment, but the trouble for Sunderland is that everyone else at the bottom of the Championship has started winning matches.

Birmingham, Burton and Bolton have all shown improved form of late, meaning Sunderland start this round of fixtures bottom of the table...

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Sunderland manager Chris Coleman has been speaking about his return to Wales before today's match...

Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales at Cardiff City Stadium

As the home of the Welsh national side, Cardiff City Stadium has been the site for some of Chris Coleman's finest moments as a manager.

During his five years as Wales boss, he oversaw some memorable occasions at this ground, such as 2015's win over a Belgium team then ranked second in the world, and then the celebration of qualifying for Euro 2016 - Wales' first major tournament since 1958.

Today he returns to the ground for the first time since his tenure - the most successful in Wales' history - came to an end in November.

Coleman cannot afford to get too misty-eyed, though, as his Sunderland side are bottom of the Championship and desperate for points against their promotion-chasing opponents.

And as the 47-year-old says himself, as a Swansea 'Jack' he is on enemy territory today.

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland boss Chris Coleman is guaranteed a superb reception from the Cardiff public today, given his exploits as manager of the Wales national team.

I'm sure you haven't forgotten that it was Coleman who led Wales to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 in France.

Altogether now... "Don't take me home, please don't take me home..."

Those four consecutive league defeats have seen Cardiff slip out of the Championship's top two, but they'll return to the automatic promotion places for a couple of hours at least if they beat Sunderland today.

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