Cardiff City v Liverpool FC: Carling Cup final preview

Team selection for Cardiff is going to be critical and I have given my views on not only the Cardiff line-up but that of those in the team that I think Liverpool will field.

We start with one of the most important positions in any side, goalkeeper. Tom Heaton, who had suffered a slight ankle injury, is due to carry on his run in the 'Cup' team; which is exactly what he deserves after his heroics in the Semi and continued professionalism throughout the season.

A Cup Final appearance is just rewards for Heaton and David Marshall is happy to accept that: "I'd expect Tom to play in the final. I'd be surprised if he didn't."

It would appear to be no coincidence that since Hudson has been out of the starting line-up, with a calf injury, we have looked a little bit hesitant in defence. With all due respect to Gerrard, as he never gives less that 100% for the team, come Sunday, if Hudson is fit, he needs to start alongside the imposing figure of Ben Turner.

Hudson has experience and is Cardiff's captain; he is a calming presence to all of those around him and has been sorely missed. In the full-back position you can't look past McNaughton and Taylor who will look to get forward as soon as an opportunity arises.

Midfield is going to be an interesting position, will Malky stick with his favoured 5-man midfield or will he try to match Liverpool with a 4-man? I think that this could all depend on the fitness of Rudy Gestede. If Rudy is available, I think it might be tempting for Malky to start the Frenchman alongside Miller.

Gestede is an aerial presence and, coupled with the clever movement of Kenny Miller it could pay dividends. The 'Green Carpet' of Wembley is enormous and it would be asking a lot to expect Miller to chase lost causes up top, on his own for circa 90 minutes.

If Rudy isn't available/not fancied by Malky, we will start with a 5-man midfield. However, I think Malky should tweak the player roles slightly. Whittingham is the most creative and dangerous player Cardiff have at their disposal, of that there is no question. However, in recent weeks he has not looked himself and I am wondering whether it might be worth moving him a bit further forward on Sunday, allowing him to be closer to the opposition goal.

With this in mind, I would opt for the combative and Trojan like work rate of Don Cowie and Aron Gunnarsson to form a flat line of 2 sat centrally in front of our defence. This would allow Whittingham to drop into the pocket just behind Miller, perfect for threading a through-ball or taking a shot at goal.

Either side of Whittingham Cardiff would position the wingers, which throws up another dilemma for Malky.

Does Malky feel as though Joe Mason is capable of playing in such a high profile game, on such a large pitch, after already competing in more games than anyone, including himself, could have imagined at the beginning of the season? If he feels that Mason is capable of carrying out this task effectively then I would place him on the right wing and Craig Conway on the left.

Should Malky prefer to use Mason as an impact sub, he would need to push Cowie onto the right wing, a position I feel he is not as effective in, and place the industrious, if not slightly erratic Filip Kiss, alongside Gunnarsson (I can see the challenges flying in already!).

Liverpool will provide a real threat to us on Sunday and they will certainly looking to add to their league cup record. They gave us an idea of what to expect last Sunday, against fellow Championship side Brighton, when they put 6 past them.

The ever-dangerous Luis Suarez is likely to partner Andy Carroll, who looks as though he is starting to find his feet at long last. Both will be a handful for our Centre Halves, Carroll aerially and Suarez with his pace and movement. The only centre back blessed with pace at Cardiff is Darcy Blake and it is highly unlikely that he will feature on Sunday.

So, whether its Turner and Gerrard or Turner and Hudson, they will need to pick their moments to get tight or drop off Suarez carefully.

In midfield Cardiff will have to be quick to nullify the threat of a bursting run from Steven Gerrard and close down the pinpoint passes from their very own Scottish version of Whittingham, Charlie Adam.

I would expect the wings to be occupied by Dirk Kuyt and Stuart Downing; however should Cardiff's very own Craig Bellamy be fit this could change things. Kuyt and Bellamy both provide lots of running and a goal threat, whilst Downing will have to be kept in check as he can make some fantastic deliveries into the penalty box, which Carroll will thrive on.

The Liverpool defence, especially centrally, is one area that I believe Cardiff have a good chance of getting some change out of. Skrtel is prone to moments of madness and lapses in concentration, whilst Jamie Carragher is no longer the player he once was. If Cardiff are going to get anything out of this game we need to expose these weaknesses.

Taking up the full back berths are Glen Johnson and Jose Enrique, both of whom are very good at going forward and joining the attack. However, whereas Enrique is an adept defender, I still have my reservations about the defensive capabilities of Johnson (Given his goal scoring prowess I am surprised that he hasn't been turned into a right winger truthfully).

Recent league form, coupled with the point made by Liverpool against Brighton on the weekend, appears to have suppressed the initial euphoria that had previously surrounded everyone associated with Cardiff City. But, come Sunday, all of that will be forgotten and everyone; fans and players alike, will enjoy their deserved day out. Liverpool may well be clear favourites for this tie, but by no means is the result a foregone conclusion.

For Cardiff City, as long as they give a good account of themselves on the pitch then the result is neither here nor there. I hope that the fans of both clubs have a fantastic and memorable day.