The international break is over and domestic football is back with the biggest of bangs. The South Wales derby is not a bad way to kick off the business end of the Championship season, and although both sides have little to play for, the pride of each club will be on the line come Saturday afternoon.
When it was confirmed that the game would be a Saturday 3pm kick-off there were certainly a few raised eyebrows, and with the match not on television, it means there will be even more anticipation and nervousness around the fixture. Don't worry - if you can't make the match, we'll have you covered with live updates on our football page from early Saturday morning.
But how do we see the game going? We've asked our football writers to put their thoughts down for this one. Let us know if you agree with us in the comments section below.
READ MORE: The latest Cardiff City and Swansea City headlines
Glen Williams - Cardiff City writer
Rarely have I felt so confident about Cardiff's chances heading into a South Wales derby. Even after Mick McCarthy's excellent start to life in the dugout last year, I thought Swansea had too much pace and creativity about them, however the Bluebirds held out for a gritty 1-0 win.
This time, almost exactly a year on, Cardiff are a far more rounded and threatening side. Their centre-backs are solid, their strikers have struck up a lovely blend of pace and brawn, and there is energy, creativity and solidity in midfield now. Cody Drameh is a freakish talent who could really open up this tie, while Tommy Doyle will want a big game to further endear himself to City fans.
Cardiff are also likely to have an in-form and exciting Rubin Colwill to call upon from the bench, which is quite the luxury. Inevitably, this prediction will fall flat on its face, but Cardiff are in as good a position as they have been since being relegated from the Premier League to win this one.
Score prediction: 2-0
Ian Mitchelmore - Swansea City writer
It's undoubtedly one of the tougher derby games to predict. Cardiff have significantly improved since what was a productive January transfer window while Swansea have remained inconsistent. Both sides have reason for optimism though.
The Swans generally perform well after international breaks, with Russell Martin's men yet to lose either of their first two fixtures after a fortnight off this term. Jamie Paterson and Flynn Downes will benefit from the rest having missed the 0-0 draw against Birmingham City while others including Cyrus Christie, Joel Piroe, captain Matt Grimes and Michael Obafemi will be revitalised following hectic schedules of late. Ryan Manning's absence is a real blow, mind.
If Swansea can beat a Cardiff press, they have a great chance of winning this game. The Bluebirds are always going to be a threat from set plays, so the Swans will need to be rock solid at the back, or, as will be the game plan, they will seek to keep the ball as much as possible. Both sides have enough individual talent to get them over the line, but it's so hard to separate the sides that I'm going for a draw.
Score prediction: 1-1
Tom Coleman - sports writer
I predicted last time that Swansea would win and win comfortably. Without meaning to brag it turned out I was pretty bang on. In fact, I'm not sure I've seen a side so comfortable in a South Wales derby as the Swans were in that victory. Cardiff were, in all departments, unfathomably dreadful, and turned in the sort of unforgivable derby showing that probably deserved worse than the 3-0 battering Russell Martin's side dished out on the day.
However, the Bluebirds are a very different animal under Steve Morison, and I'd be shocked if the Swans enjoyed anything like the same level of comfort this time round. This isn't the one-dimensional ponderous and predictable Cardiff side that was so deservedly torn apart last time. Cody Drameh and Tommy Doyle have brought real Premier League quality, while Rubin Colwill and Isaak Davies offer a more homegrown spark. Additionally, just over half of the offenders back in October have either left the club altogether or are unlikely to play.
Swansea, in contrast, won't have changed too much, either in personnel or style, and it's for that reason that you can't really write them off. Not completely, anyway. Joel Piroe and Jamie Paterson, the heroes of that sensational derby win, are more than capable of causing problems again, while Michael Obafemi's surge in form has to be a concern to Cardiff.
But the problem with Swansea at the moment is that you're never quite sure what you're going to get. They were brilliant up at West Brom the other week, yawn-inducing against Birmingham before the international break, and were manic at Peterborough. Cardiff, meanwhile, have lost just one of their last eight outings at home, although their draw against Preston showed that even amid their recent revival under Morison, they are still reasonably well-versed in the art of the flat, flavourless performance.
But I think they'll be up for this, so I'll go with a narrow, edgy, thoroughly unenjoyable and uncomfortable home win.
Score prediction: 1-0
Mat Davies - head of football
The second game of the season between these two sides usually goes the way of the team who lost the first battle, such is the ferociousness of the fixture. I'm not going to deviate from that too much either. Cardiff appear to be a much more well-drilled outfit since Morison took over and have more depth than Swansea at present.
Martin's men will have the lion's share of possession no doubt - I wouldn't be surprised if they have nearly three-quarters of the ball in all honesty. But it's what you do with it that counts and Swansea still seem to freeze when entering the final third of the pitch. Cardiff have players who can cause Swansea problems too, with Tommy Doyle and Cody Drameh proving two shrewd loan signings in January.
If Swansea are to get anything out of this game they will need to take their chances when they come. They must be clinical, with Jamie Paterson and Joel Piroe needing to be on top of their game. But with a home crowd behind them and the Bluebirds in decent form, I'm going for a home win.
Score prediction: 2-1
Jared Evitts - trainee journalist
With just two points separating the teams this time round, this South Wales derby is set to be a nail-biter. In a run of three wins in four, and with a home crowd behind them, Cardiff should go into the game with confidence.
However, with the added incentive of the much-discussed derby double, Swansea should also come to Cardiff City Stadium well up for it. With both teams all but safe, and with no chance of the play-offs, this is a huge chance to give fans some much sought-after bragging rights and something to cheer about.
As a result, I’d like to think both teams will have a good go on Saturday, but I can’t see much separating them.
Score prediction: 2-2
