The East Wales regions meet in the first match of the festive double-header at 14:05 with just one place separating them in the Guinness PRO12 table.
The Blues have won their last four fixtures at their home ground and not lost at home to a fellow Welsh region since Ospreys visited in December 2013. Home comforts proved crucial last season as the two sides claimed victories at their respective stad.
Lyn Jones’ Dragons kick-started their campaign by claiming a 25-11 victory over Zebre at Rodney Parade on Sunday, but it could have come at a cost. Wales no.8 Taulupe Faletau limped off in the first-half and could miss the match after he aggravated an old ankle injury.
But there is bad news for Blues fans as Faletau’s Wales back-row partner Sam Warburton has been ruled out with a shoulder problem. But the national skipper is due to return in-time for the return leg at Rodney Parade on New Years Day.
The resurgent Blues head into the match on the back of a derby win over Scarlets in Cardiff. A first-half brace of tries from Josh Navidi and a Kristian Dacey score led them to a 21-9 victory last Friday and gave them their third win of the season.
The Dragons slipped to an early season derby defeat to Ospreys, when they lost 17-15 in Round Two. And Jones is relishing the Christmas cracker in the capital.
“The Blues and the Dragons have a healthy rivalry. I’m really looking forward to it,” said Jones
“It’s all about going there with confidence, we hammered the Blues at the Arms Park this time last year but we ended up on the wrong side of the scoreline because we didn’t take our opportunities.”
Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby Mark Hammett said: “When you have derby games you have to be careful about looking at past form and strengths and weaknesses. Derby games bring out a greater intensity and a competition which can be different.
“Often it’s the attitude that wins these games over technique and tactical nous. Obviously you still build that preparation into your week, but we know at the end of it we have got to front up attitude wise.
“I’ve always believed that you do what you need to do to prepare. You’ve got to front up and this game will be no different,” he added.
