The Sardis Road club have been runaway leaders of the division for some time now but travel to the Arms Park knowing yet another win would finally secure top spot.
With four league fixtures remaining, Dale McIntosh’s side are 19 points clear of second placed Bedwas and have five more wins under their belts than their closest rivals.
Of course, a play-off final decides the eventual destination of the title so there will be no celebrations if Pontypridd come out on top tonight.
But with a SWALEC Cup semi-final against Carmarthen Quins looming large this weekend, the league leaders will want to go into that game full of confidence.
After giving youth its chance in the British & Irish Cup against Jersey last Friday, McIntosh again rotates his squad for this league encounter.
Adam Thomas returns to start at full back as does Rhys Shellard though the flanker has to settle for a place on the bench.
Fellow back rower Wayne O’Connor is now recovered from injury but it is Chris Dicomidis who resumes the team captaincy after being rested for the win over Jersey.
In eighth place currently, Cardiff have little to play for but have named a strong side for tonight’s encounter, particularly upfront.
There are several changes from their last defeat to Llanelli at Parc y Scarlets but Martyn Fowler again fields the same front row. Aaron Fowler, Campase Ma’afu and Ryan Harford all start again for the Blue and Blacks. Macauley Cook joins Matthew Screech in the second row and there is a return to the back row for Thomas Young.
In the backs, the injured Joe Griffin is replaced by James Thomas at outside half while Cory Allen, who has impressed for Wales U20 and Wales Sevens this season, returns to partner Richard Smith at centre.
Jamie Davies continues his run at full back and Garyn Lucas returns from injury to start at scrum half against his former club.
Cardiff: 15 Jamie Davies 14 Jack Phillips 13 Cory Allen 12 Richard Smith 11 Shaun Powell (C)10 James Thomas 9 Garyn Lucas, 1 Campese Ma’afu 2 Aaron Fowler 3 Ryan Harford 4 Macauley Cook 5 Matthew Screech 6 Alwyn Lee 7 Thomas Young 8 Ben Roach.
Replacements: Jake Cooper–Woolley, Ethan Lewis, Nathan Trevett, Dan Partridge, Nick White, Sion Hopkins, Adam Williams, Adam Field.
Pontypridd: 15 Adam Thomas 14 Owen Williams 13 Gavin Dacey 12 Gary Williams 11 Owen Jenkins 10 Simon Humberstone 9 Lloyd Williams, 1 Scott Roberts 2 Huw Dowden 3 Keiron Jenkins 4 Craig Locke 5 Chris Dicomidis (c) 6 Jake Thomas 7 Wayne O’Connor 8 Dan Godfrey.
Replacements: Joel Raikes, Dai Flanagan, Gareth Wyatt, Jack Dando, Rhys Shellard, Cory Hill, Bradley Thyer, Chris Phillips.
