a week before the final cardiff played ipswich town in the 2011–12 football league championship – it was their last match before the final, which they lost 3–0. cardiff had a few injury concerns ahead of the final. captain mark hudson had a calf problem, while midfielder stephen mcphail had missed cardiff's last four matches as he was suffering from sjögren's syndrome, an immune system disorder. goalkeeper heaton was also a doubt with a knock on his ankle, but he was considered likely to start the match. cardiff manager malky mackay acknowledged that liverpool went into the match as favourites, but he was confident his team could provide a shock: "obviously we are underdogs but we have a chance in the final, maybe only a one in 10 chance but that's still a chance if you turn up motivated, fit and organised and i think i can promise that."