Cardiff have picked up points on the road this season as most teams now seem to be comfortable in playing counter attacking football which proves dividends. With some top attackers in Fowler and Hasselbank, the Preston defence will be in for a tough afternoon.
Jones may well be ruled out with Mawene returning and St Ledger moving to full back. Irvine will be hoping for a mistake free afternoon from the back four otherwise Cardiff will pounce.
The fans will want to see a more lively start to the game as Preston need to be more creative if they are to get anything from this game. Whaley will be asked to continue and probe with everyone hoping the strikers find their scoring boots after some terrible finishing on Boxing Day.
Th etable is still very tight and Preston know that they need to pick up points over this busy period to ease things later in the season.