Damien Hoyland and Tom Brown - now fully recovered from the stomach bug that necessitated his substitution last time out - retain their places on the wings with Matt Scott and Andries Strauss continuing their centre partnership. The latter will be running out for his 50th Edinburgh Rugby cap since joining the club in 2013.
Stand-off Jason Tovey, who scored 16 of the club's 19 points last time out, and scrum half Sean Kennedy maintain their half-back pairing.
The pack sees three changes, kicking off with Rory Sutherland moving up from the bench to replace the injured Alasdair Dickinson in the front row, where Ross Ford and WP Nel retain the number 2 and 3 jerseys.
The lock combination of Anton Bresler and Ben Toolis is retained while Nasi Manu returns from injury at blindside and Hamish Watson comes in at openside. Cornell Du Preez retains his place at no 8.
It's as you were on the bench, with the exception of Allan Dell and Will Helu moving into contention, to replace the starting Fife and Sutherland.
Reflecting on his time with the club, 50th cap Strauss says: "It's been a huge honour and privilege to play for Edinburgh Rugby over the last couple of years and to play my 50th game in what would be my last is extremely special and certainly something I'll remember for a long time.
"I'm grateful for every second I was allowed on the field and will cherish the memories I made with the team.
"This weekend is a vital game for us and one that could determine the success of our entire season.
"Cardiff have been playing some good rugby lately and they have improved as the season progressed. It will take a massive team effort from us to get the right result on the weekend.
"They are a very good attacking side and will test our resolve and willingness to work hard for each other, therefore it's absolutely crucial that we stick to our systems."
Edinburgh currently sit in seventh place in the Guinness PRO12, one point above Cardiff and one point below Munster.
Edinburgh (53 pts 11 wins) and Ospreys (54 points and 11 wins) can both equal the total Munster have at present (58) should Munster not pick up any points in their final game.
Edinburgh require a maximum points win (58 points and 12 wins) on Saturday afternoon, regardless of any ensuing possible permutations regarding points' difference, to see whether we could end the season in the top six.
The match will be shown live on BBC 2 Wales. All Saturday's Guinness PRO12 matches kick off at 3pm.
Players not considered due to injury: Michael Allen (shoulder), Phil Burleigh (leg), Mike Coman (calf), Jack Cuthbert (knee), Alasdair Dickinson (back), Grant Gilchrist (arm), Blair Kinghorn (head), Fraser McKenzie (neck), Jade Te Rure (knee).
Edinburgh Rugby v Cardiff Blues
Saturday 7 May, BT Murrayfield, k/o 3pm
15 FIFE Dougie
14 HOYLAND Damien
13 SCOTT Matt
12 STRAUSS Andries
11 BROWN Tom
10 TOVEY Jason
9 KENNEDY Sean
1 SUTHERLAND Rory
2 FORD Ross (captain)
3 NEL WP
4 BRESLER Anton
5 TOOLIS Ben
6 MANU Nasi
7 WATSON Hamish
8 DU PREEZ Cornell
Substitutes
16 MCINALLY Stuart
17 DELL Allan
18 ANDRESS John
19 TOOLIS Alex
20 BRADBURY Magnus
21 HIDALGO-CLYNE Sam
22 DEAN Chris
23 HELU Will
Guinness PRO12 Edinburgh News
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