Image source, BBC Sport

Early goals for Fulham and for Southampton mean that Huddersfield's plight is looking even bleaker than it was at kick-off. At least they are not behind.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing looks a real handful down the right wing for Cardiff. He gets free of his marker, and sends in a low, inviting cross across the face of the Huddersfield goal. Junior Hoilett and Jonathan Hogg collide and the ball is stopped on the line by Jonas Lossl.

Both Hogg and Hoilett need treatment, but are hopefully OK to carry on.

Another side at the bottom has just gone ahead. Southampton now 1-0 up versus Leicester thanks to James Ward-Prowse's penalty.

Robbie: David Wagner is a must for #htafc, external. We always knew it would be difficult in the #PremierLeague, external. I am enjoying the ride! They are a unique club!

Image source, Getty Images

That's yellow all day long. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing is sprinting down the right wing and is absolutely wiped out by a cynical, horrible lunge from Christopher Schindler. Booked, and rightly so.

Jason Puncheon, in his first Premier League appearance for Huddersfield since a loan move from Crystal Palace, is free 25 yards out, he shoots low at goal and is just off target. Unlucky.

Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium

This has been an opening period high on effort and passion, low on quality.

You can tell both sides are desperate to win, with their commitment on the pitch whipping up a lively atmosphere in the stands.

But there's been little in terms of genuine goalscoring opportunities.

Image source, Reuters

Bad news for Huddersfield fans as a spectacular Andre Schurrle half volley has given Fulham a 1-0 lead at Burnley. That means the Terriers are currently six points adrift as things stand.

Follow the other Premier League matches here.

Huddersfield get an early free-kick in a dangerous position on the right wing, but Alex Pritchard's delivery is headed clear and Cardiff then clear their lines with Steve Mounie lurking.

Dafydd has set it all up nicely for us. And away we go. Cardiff get us going.

Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium

These kind of matches between relegation rivals are often tense, low-scoring affairs - and the stats would suggest another such encounter lies in wait at Cardiff City Stadium this afternoon.

Bottom side Huddersfield have mustered fewer goals than any other Premier League team this season, with just 13 - and only five of those from open play.

Cardiff are eight points ahead of them in the table but have only managed 19 goals, the third lowest tally in the division.

This is a match of huge importance and, with goals so scarce for both teams, it promises to be a tight and nerve-jangling battle.

BBC Sport football expert Mark Lawrenson takes on The Greatest Dancer captain Oti Mabuse to predict the weekend Premier League fixtures.

Neil Warnock's side are the right side of the drop zone at the moment, but he still wants to strengthen his squad.

But in a news conference this week he underlined his frustration with Cardiff City's transfer dealings during the January window.

"It's like walking up a mountain with butter on hands," was Warnock's great quote.

After only 21 games of the season Huddersfield are already eight points away from that prized 17th spot.

Cardiff can jump up to 15th if they win, but will drop into the bottom three if they don't win and Southampton do at Leicester.

Image source, .

Martin Keown
Former England defender on Football Focus

I think they [Huddersfield] have gone. In these head-to-heads they don’t seem to do very well. David Wagner doesn’t seem to be able to find the answers. I doubt very much he’ll lose his job as the owner there is a big fan of his but the players don’t seem to be reacting to him now.

David Wagner says he still feels the backing from the club and its fans despite the awful run of results.

Huddersfield Town

No side has survived relegation after collecting 10 points from their opening 21 games.

Defeats by relegation rivals Fulham and Burnley in their past two matches have been hugely damaging. After Saturday's trip to Cardiff, Huddersfield's next four opponents are Manchester City, Everton, Chelsea and Arsenal.

But boss David Wagner remains optimistic.

"I have never had a period before when I lost so many games in a row," he said. "I have negative moments but in general I am part of the solution. Do I sit at home and cry? No. I have to deliver ideas.

"Being the first one to beat the statistics is exciting. We were promoted with negative goal difference. We stayed up with the smallest budget ever in the Premier League.

"I believe we have a chance. That is the truth."

Image source, Getty Images

Read more from Simon Stone on Huddersfield here

Simon Brotherton
Commentator on BBC TV

Image source, Reuters

While it's unlikely to lead Match of the Day on Saturday night, this is a game of massive importance to both teams.

Even in mid-January it has the familiar phrase 'six-pointer' written all over it.

Cardiff and Huddersfield were the bookies' favourites for the drop at the start of the season, but the Bluebirds have given themselves a chance of staying up - and a win here would be a major boost.

In contrast, bottom-of-the-table Huddersfield are eight points from safety and need to engineer a major change of fortune very quickly. A wretched run of nine straight defeats in all competitions doesn't bode well.

Image source, .

Cardiff: Etheridge, Ecuele Manga, Morrison, Bamba, Bennett, Gunnarsson, Mendez-Laing, Arter, Victor Camarasa, Hoilett, Paterson.

Substitutes: Peltier, Ralls, Josh Murphy, Smithies, Reid, Cunningham, Healey.

Image source, .

Huddersfield: Lossl, Hadergjonaj, Schindler, Jorgensen, Durm, Billing, Hogg, Kachunga, Pritchard, Puncheon, Mounie.

Substitutes: Smith, Kongolo, Hamer, Lowe, Mbenza, Depoitre, Stankovic.

Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium

Having made wholesale changes for last weekend’s FA Cup defeat at Gillingham, Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock reverts to a team showing three alterations from the last Premier League match against Tottenham on New Year’s Day. Left-back Joe Bennett replaces Greg Cunningham, while wingers Junior Hoilett and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing replace Bobby Reid and Josh Murphy.

Cardiff XI: Etheridge; Ecuele Manga, Morrison, Bamba, Bennett; Gunnarsson, Camarasa, Arter; Reid, Murphy, Paterson.

Similarly, after Huddersfield’s FA Cup loss at Bristol City, boss David Wagner names a team showing two changes from the Premier League loss against Burnley. Jason Puncheon makes his Premier League debut after joining on loan from Crystal Palace and comes in for Isaac Mbenza, while Erik Durm replaces Terence Kongolo.

Huddersfield XI: Lossl; Hadergjonaj, Schindler, Jorgensen, Durm; Hogg, Billing; Kachunga, Pritchard, Puncheon; Mounie.