By Jake Maddaford
Cardiff City host Middlesborough in their final home game of the season on Saturday, looking to give the fans a happy farewell to this campaign.
After a dramatic, late 2-1 win in their last match at the Cardiff City Stadium, the Bluebirds will hope for another three points to end on consecutive home league victories, for the first time since early March.
The task won’t be an easy one for Erol Bulut’s side, as the manager confirmed another injury to his squad ahead of the fixture.
“Yakou Meite is out for this game,” Bulut said.
“We have one or two small pains on other players, but I hope they will be available for Saturday.
“It is important to have more home wins in front of the fans. It is always great. In some games we have been unlucky, but in football it is all included, good luck and bad luck.
“I hope we can have a great game on Saturday to get the win against Middlesbrough.”
Erol Bulut reveals Cardiff City board ‘happy with the situation‘ after achieving club's actual aim this season https://t.co/BlamQ5esLG pic.twitter.com/7fH7vU8eHE
— Cardiff City Online (@CardiffCityLive) April 26, 2024
Despite Cardiff’s season petering out towards the end, Bulut and his side are targeting two wins from two to finish as close to the play-off spots as possible.
“I hope for three points. Middlesbrough are also mid table, and of course both teams will try to win. We will try to finalise and finish the season with two more wins.
“Of course it will not be easy, they are a tough team. Last time I watched them against Leeds they played really well.”
“I am expecting from my team that they are 100 per cent focussed on the game, like how we managed it against Southampton.”
“We played an open game, the players played free.”
One player that the Bluebirds will have to keep an eye on is Ivorian striker Emannuel Latte Lath.
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The 25-year-old joined the Teessiders last summer from Italian side Atalanta, and is currently in fantastic form, netting seven times in his last six games, including a current four-game streak.
He has also found the back of the net against some of the best teams in the league, as his last four goals have come against play-off chasing Hull City and automatic promotion chasers, Ipswich Town and Leeds United.
Despite Cardiff’s recent inconsistency, Bulut could turn yet again to the youth players who proved vital against Southampton.
Fans will hope to see Cian Ashford and Luey Giles make a contribution on Saturday, after the two teenagers linked up to score the winner last time out.
As we have reached a stage in the season where clubs such as these two will use games as an opportunity to blood younger players, it can provide excitement for what next season will hold.
Whether Bulut remains in the dug-out for Cardiff next season remains to be seen.
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