Preston North End secured promotion to the Championship in emphatic style after narrowly missing out on the top two last season.
However since their return, they haven't hit the ground running in the slightest, with only one win from their first 10 games as they currently sit 23rd in the table. An August win away to MK Dons is their only victory.
Cardiff City have contrasting fortunes as they have just two defeats so far this season and sit in 8th place only 6 points off 1st and two points off 3rd. Russell Slade's side fought hard to claim a 1-1 draw at table-toppers Brighton & Hove Albion before the international break.
Team news
Preston will be relying on attacking midfielder Daniel Johnson for goals due lethal forwards Joe Garner and Jermaine Beckford missing out due to injury and suspension.
They will also be without fellow striker Eoin Doyle who is ineligible to play against his parent club.
Paddy McCarthy is ruled out for the next few weeks, but Bailey Wright returns from suspension and international duty. Paul Huntington is likely to return after recovering from his recent hamstring injury.
The only injury problem for Cardiff is Bruno Ecuele Manga who is ruled out for up to 8-10 weeks after picking up a groin injury on international duty with Gabon.
That shouldn't disrupt the starting team with Sean Morrison and Matthew Connolly certain to continue in the centre of defence. Scott Malone and Fabio are expected to remain as the starting full-backs for the trip to Deepdale.
Recent history
The last meetings came in 2011 when Cardiff secured a 1-0 win at Deepdale but were held to a 1-1 draw in South Wales. Cardiff haven't had the best of luck at Deepdale, in 2010 they suffered a 3-0 defeat and in 2009 they were romped 6-0 which eventually cost City a place in the play-offs that season.
Of all the meetings, Preston have 33 wins whilst Cardiff have 32 as well as 21 draws so this game may not be as straight forward for Cardiff as many are predicting.