Oumar Niasse is again on his bike, bundling Issa Diop over in the process, but Angelo Ogbonna drifts across to clear the danger.

West Ham's first real foray into Cardiff territory and Robert Snodgrass attempts to carve Cardiff open with an inventive scoop-pass but Javier Hernandez can't get on the end of it.

Oumar Niasse is up for this one - he chases a lost cause and just beats Lukasz Fabianski to the ball in the area.

But unfortunately for the Bluebirds, the Everton loanee's finish from the edge of the box goes over.

Image source, Reuters

Felipe Anderson attempts to bring the ball upfield for the Hammers but he's stopped in his tracks by a hardy challenge from Harry Arter.

The Brazilian goes down clutching his ankle.

Cardiff are moving the ball around nicely now - with Harry Arter and Aron Gunnarsson orchestrating things in the middle of the park.

Michael Pearlman
BBC Sport Wales at Cardiff City Stadium

What a start for Cardiff and what a horrendous piece of play from West Ham.

Junior Hoilett was supplied by Josh Murphy after Victor Camarasa's run, but the West Ham defending was beyond poor, four players stood and watched as Hoilett stole-in.

A huge goal at the bottom of the Premier League.

The Bluebirds are on fire!

Oumar Niasse is played in down the left and only a fantastic sliding challenge by Angelo Ogbonna stops him.

Declan Rice clears the resulting corner.

The Cardiff fans loved that - they're in full voice - willing their team on.

Image source, Reuters

A positive start from the hosts.

Although the free-kick comes to nothing, Aron Gunnarsson picks up possession on the left and gets a low cross in, which is claimed by Lukasz Fabianski.

Very, very windy conditions in Cardiff today - as it is up and down the UK.

Cardiff have the first attack of the game - down the left through Josh Murphy - but he's felled by Felipe Anderson.

And we're off!

Mark Lawrenson
BBC football expert

Cardiff's situation does not look too clever, but I am reluctant to write off their survival chances because of their manager.

Just when you think they are down and out, Neil Warnock does seem to have a knack of getting them going again - although I do think West Ham will come out on top on Saturday.

Prediction: 0-2

Simon Brotherton
Commentator on BBC TV

Wins over Bournemouth and Southampton had taken Cardiff out of the relegation zone but three defeats in a row with an aggregate score of 10-1 has sucked the optimism out of South Wales and leaves them back in the bottom three.

Sol Bamba's season-ending injury is a further blow and the importance of this weekend's game can't be overstated. Cardiff will have to wait three weeks for their next match and face Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool in three of their next four fixtures.

West Ham have won two of their last three games but their away form hasn't been great, losing four of the last five on the road without scoring.

West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini: "Cardiff are playing at home and will try to add points as they want to try to avoid relegation and they are not many points behind the other teams, so we need to be fast, play with a high tempo and be aggressive.

"I remember my first defeat with Manchester City was at Cardiff when they scored from two corners. Of course I want to change that statistic.

"Now we need to play 95 minutes and concentrate on every ball."

Image source, Getty Images

Cardiff manager Neil Warnock: "I don't think it's a must-win game. I think it's a very important game in the circumstances, but there'll be other games that are must win later in the season.

"The lads have been a bit flat this week, which is understandable because it's the worst week we've had in the Premier League. In management, it's all about trying to lift them when they're down.

"We've got some good players who are playing below par. It's about getting the match winners into the team and how they can lift the confidence."

Image source, Getty Images

Let's see what the managers had to say ahead of the game...

Michael Pearlman
BBC Sport Wales at Cardiff City Stadium

Image source, BBC Sport

Cardiff make four changes as they desperately try to halt a run of three successive defeats.

Sol Bamba is out for the season and Bruno Manga takes his spot, switching to central defence.

There are also recalls for Harry Arter, Josh Murphy and Junior Hoilett.

Cardiff XI: Etheridge; Peltier, Morrison, Ecuele Manga, Bennett; Gunnarsson, Camarasa, Arter, Murphy; Hoilett, Niasse.

Subs: Smithies, Bacuna, Harris, Ralls, Reid, Zohore, Paterson.

Image source, BBC Sport

West Ham go with the same XI which beat Newcastle last weekend.

The only Hammers change in their squad sees Fabian Balbuena return to the bench after injury.

The Hammers will need to be ready for a swirling wind in the Welsh capital.

West Ham XI: Fabianski; Fredericks, Diop, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Snodgrass, Rice, Noble; Lanzini, Felipe Anderson, Hernandez.

Subs: Adrian, Balbuena, Obiang, Masuaku, Nasri, Antonio, Arnautovic.

West Ham have won the last seven meetings between these sides but Cardiff will hope to end that barren run today as they desperately attempt to gather enough points to avoid the drop.

It should be a good one!