The Blues secured their maiden Championship win since their return to the second tier of English football at the 10th time of asking, with West Ham loanee Freddie Potts and Callum Lang cancelling out Karamoko Dembele’s early opener for the Rs at Loftus Road.
The timely victory lifted John Mousinho’s side off the bottom of the table - a position they found themselves in before kick-off following the Bluebirds’ thumping 5-0 victory against Plymouth earlier in the day. But they were unable to climb back above tonight’s hosts, who now sit 22nd, with their margin of victory against Wayne Rooney’s Pilgrims ensuring they sit above Pompey in the standings on goal difference only.
Tonight’s game presents both clubs with the opportunity to climb out of the relegation zone, to put daylight between them, and to concentrate on climbing the table. But which players will the two teams have to do without for such an important fixture?
Here’s the outs and doubts ahead of kick-off (7.45pm).
5. Ibane Bowat - Out
The 22-year-old centre-back ruptured the patella tendon in his right knee as he took a shot on goal during training in September. The injury required surgey and has ruled him out for the remainder of the season. | National World
6. Colby Bishop - Out
The Blues striker has been unavailable after undergoing heart surgey at the beginning of August. | National World
7. Joe Ralls - Out
The Cardiff captain sat out the Bluebirds' 5-0 win against Plymouth on Saturday with a leg injury and is expected to be out for 'one or two more games'. | Getty Images
8. Manolis Siopis - Doubt
The Greek international was forced to sit out the win against Plymouth after suffering a knock in Greece's win against England at Wembley. There's a chance, though, he'll be given the green light to feature against Pompey tonight. | Getty Images