Joe Ledley
Former Wales midfielder on BBC Radio Wales

I think [Will] Vaulks is pushing up a little bit too high and leaving [Marlon] Pack exposed in the midfield.

He needs to just be sitting in front of that back four and just help the defence out.

Middlesbrough are asking most of the questions here.

Neil Warnock's side look confident after back-to-back wins.

Cardiff, as you might expect given their form, appear a bit shaky - although they have defended well enough so far.

Michael Pearlman
BBC Sport Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium

Boro's fans have just made their opinions heard.

They have unveiled banners protesting the kick-off time, bearing in mind they faced a 510 mile round trip to get to Cardiff and home.

I can't report the song they chanted, but Cardiff's fans joined in and applauded the Boro fans as they aimed their annoyance at broadcasters.

Now Martin Payero tries his luck from distance but drags wide of the target.

This is an open contest.

That's a decent chance for Middlesbrough.

Onel Hernandez's corner reaches Paddy McNair at the far post, but he lifts a shot over the top.

Cardiff are relieved.

Joe Ledley
Former Wales midfielder on BBC Radio Wales

It's great to see Sol [Bamba] back, he's such a nice guy, a fan favourite here and he deserves the applause he's had.

Martin Payero is down receiving treatment but he looks okay.

Will Vaulks' long throw drops dangerously in the Middlesbrough box but James Collins' shot is well blocked.

Middlesbrough come forward for the first time as Andraz Sporar's neat touch finds Uche Ikpeazu, but his shot is blocked.

He might have been better served passing to Martin Payero, as the Argentine pointed out.

Mark Harris finds himself in space some 30 yards from the Middlesbrough goal, but Sol Bamba snuffs out the danger with a strong sliding challenge.

We weren't sure how Middlesbrough would line up, but it looks like 4-4-2 with Jonny Howson filling in at right-back.

That means they match the hosts' set-up.

We are off and running at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Image source, Getty Images

Without wishing to sound negative, it must be said that Middlesbrough aren't exactly scoring goals for fun either.

Their tally of 15 league goals in 13 games is the worst in the top 10.

Matt Crooks currently leads the Boro scoring charts with three goals, with Paddy McNair, Uche Ikpeazu and Andraz Sporar.

Sporar has had a significant impact since joining on loan from Sporting Lisbon, with his second Boro goal arriving in the midweek win over Barnsley.

Warnock must hope for more of the same from the Slovenian international today.

Joe Ledley
Former Wales midfielder on BBC Radio Wales

You look at the results, it's disappointing seven defeats on the bounce, especially with this team.

It's not just that, the performances haven't been too great, scoring one goal in seven is disappointing, especially with the likes of Kieffer Moore up front.

You can't blame him [Moore], it's all about getting service as any striker would say.

Times are difficult at the moment for Cardiff, but what a time to turn it around this afternoon.

Cardiff have issues at both ends of the pitch, but need to find some attacking inspiration today if they are to halt their slide down the table.

The Bluebirds have scored just one goal in their last seven games, with Sean Morrison on target when they were already 4-0 down at Blackburn last month.

Another defender, Aden Flint, is Cardiff's top scorer with four goals, while Kieffer Moore has scored only once having hit the 20 mark last season.

The Wales forward would point out that he has not had much service this term - but he starts on the bench today. James Collins and Mark Harris - both of whom are yet to score this season - lead the line.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Image source, Getty Images

Unlike Cardiff, Middlesbrough come into this contest in decent form.

Neil Warnock's side have won three of their last four games, although the three successes have come on their own ground.

Away from home, Boro have managed only one victory in seven attempts - including the Carabao Cup - so far this season, and that success came at the City Ground when Nottingham Forest were limping along under Chris Hughton.

Still, Cardiff's rotten recent record suggests this is a decent opportunity for the Teessiders to claim away win number two of 2021-22.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

It is not all doom and gloom for Cardiff City, who are unbeaten in six league games against Middlesbrough since Russell Slade's Bluebirds side were beaten 3-1 in 2016.

Both Championship meetings last season ended in 1-1 draws, with Sheyi Ojo on target for Cardiff in the home encounter last October.

And for all his successes with Cardiff, Neil Warnock has never triumphed here as a visiting manager.

Cardiff - and Mick McCarthy - must hope that record remains intact come full time this afternoon.

This is the first Championship game of the weekend, meaning a chance for these two clubs to steal a march on their rivals.

So poor has Cardiff's form been that if it were not for Derby's points penalty, the Bluebirds would now be in the bottom three.

But if Mick McCarthy's side can end their losing streak with a victory today, they will jump from 21st to 19th.

Middlesbrough start in 10th, but could climb as high as fifth with a big win this lunchtime.

Michael Pearlman
BBC Sport Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium

Really nice reception from the Cardiff City fans for Sol Bamba.

You can't help feeling he will be involved in a storyline today.

The rules of narrative dictate it as he faces his former club and the manager who let him go.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Neil Warnock is not the only man in Middlesbrough ranks who knows this place well.

Lee Peltier won promotion with Cardiff in 2018, as did Sol Bamba.

The veteran centre-back has expressed some disappointment over the way he found out he was leaving Cardiff at the end of last season - although Mick McCarthy has since insisted he was the one who told Bamba there was no new deal on offer.

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding Bamba's exit, Cardiff's fans will be delighted to see a popular figure looking fit and well after his battle with cancer last season.