ATTENTION BACK TO THE VERTU TROPHY
- ccfcinsider
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Cardiff City remain in the Welsh Capital as they host AFC Wimbledon in the Round of 32 of the Vertu Trophy.
The Opposition:
After promotion from League Two last campaign, The Dons have had a good start to life in League One, as they sit 9th ahead of the festive period.
Wimbledon saw several key players depart following play-off success, with fourteen departures. Therefore, the newly promoted side have been active in the Transfer Window, adding Steve Seddon from Motherwell, Joe McDonnell from Eastleigh, Alistair Smith from Lincoln City, Antwoine Hackford from Sheffield United, Delano McCoy-Splatt from Fulham, Danilo Orsi from Burton Albion, Nathan Bishop from Sunderland Nathan Asiimwe from Charlton Athletic, Patrick Bauer from Preston North End and Brodi Hughes from Chelsea.
Johnnie Jackson usually sets up his teams in a 3-5-2, built on wing-back overloads, high pressing, and quick transitions. At Wimbledon he's blended this with phases of more patient, possession-based play, aiming to work the ball wide and flood the box with late runners. While his sides are hardworking and tactically disciplined, critics note he can sometimes be too rigid in sticking to his chosen system.
The Bluebirds:
Cardiff come into this one on the back of a convincing 3-0 win over Mansfield Town. Will Fish opened the scoring for City, before Yousef Salech and Cian Ashford got on the score sheet in the second half to secure all three points.
The Bluebirds will have to move the ball as well as they did on the weekend, and match the intensity in order to get something from this one.
Opposition Player To Watch:
Wimbledon skipper Jake Reeves has comfortably made the step up to League One. Reeves links defence to attack for Wimbledon, and offers a consistent base in midfield.
The midfielder began his career with Brentford. After loan moves to St Albans and AFC Wimbledon, Reeves would join Swindon on a permanent deal. After six months with The Robins, Reeves would join Wimbledon on a permanent deal. After two seaspns at The Dons, Reeves would join Bradford. After further spells at Notts County and Stevenage, Reeves returned to Wimbledon for a third stint in the summer of 2023. The 32 year-old has one goal and three assists this season.
Last Meeting:
AFC Wimbledon 0-1 Cardiff City (2025)
These two sides met in August, with a late Isaak Davies goal sealing all three points for The Bluebirds.
City controlled large spells of the game but as the game looked to be getting away from them, Isaak Davies latched onto a David Turnbull effort to seal the victory for Cardiff.
Team News:
Cardiff City - Rubin Colwill, Eli King and Ollie Tanner remain out injured for City.
AFC Wimbledon - Mathew Stevens out for the visitors.
Preferred XI:
GK - Matt Turner
RB - Perry Ng
RCB - Gabriel Osho
LCB - Calum Chambers
LB - Luey Giles
CDM - Dakarai Mafico
RCM - David Turnbull
LCM - Omari Kellyman
RW - Tanatswa Nyakuhwa
LW - Isaak Davies
ST - Callum Robinson
Score Prediction:
Cardiff City 1-1 AFC Wimbledon (Cardiff to win on Penalties)
City finally have a proper team to be able to pick in this competition. Wimbledon have taken the competition fairly lightly so far, and I can see Cardiff doing that tomorrow evening, therefore I see it ending all square.
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