BLUEBIRDS BACK IN CUP ACTION
Cardiff City return to the Welsh capital as they host Norwich City in the second round of the Carabao Cup.
The Opposition:
After a disastrous start to the season under Liam Manning, Philippe Clement was appointed in November 2025 and guided Norwich to a 9th-place finish in the Championship last season.
The Canaries have been active in the Belgian's first summer at the helm. They have added Andre Brooks from Sheffield United, Anthony Musaba from Fenerbahçe, Sam Field from Queens Park Rangers, Bruno Alves from Cruzeiro, and Darlin Yongwa from FC Lorient.
Clement favours an intense, front-foot style built around high pressing, aggressive transitions and quick progression through the thirds. His teams typically look to dominate territory, attack with width and create overloads in wide areas before delivering into the box. Defensively, Clement demands compactness and intensity, with his sides looking to win the ball back quickly after losing possession.
The Bluebirds:
Cardiff come into this one after a competitive 2-2 draw at Derby County. Goals from Cian Ashford and Yousef Salech weren't enough to seal City's first three points of the Championship campaign.
The Bluebirds could counter Clement’s aggressive pressing by using quick rotations and patient build-up to draw pressure forward before exploiting the space left behind. Cardiff should target the channels with direct passes and intelligent third-man runs, while their counter-press must be sharp enough to prevent Clement’s side from turning turnovers into dangerous attacks.
Opposition Player to Watch:
Mo Touré has broken onto the scene since his January move from Randers. Touré is a powerful, direct forward who uses his pace and physicality to stretch defences and attack space behind the back line. He is particularly dangerous in transition, combining strong running with aggressive movement into the channels and a willingness to take defenders on.
The striker is a product of the Adelaide United academy. After two years with the Australian side, Touré made the permanent switch to Stade de Reims. Touré struggled to break in at Reims, leading to a loan move to Paris FC. After struggling in that loan move, Touré made the permanent move to Danish side Randers. Touré netted twelve goals over a season and a half, leading to a move to Norwich City in the winter of 2026. The 22-year-old netted ten in twelve games last season. Touré also made three appearances at the World Cup for Australia.
Last Meeting:
Norwich City 4-2 Cardiff City (2025)
Norwich City made it quite the sour ending to Cardiff's relegation season the last time these two sides met in May 2025.
Marcelino Núñez opened the scoring from close range after thirteen minutes. Calum Chambers got sent off three minutes later, with Núñez netting from the free-kick given away by City number twelve. Borja Sainz netted third just after the twenty-minute mark. Yousef Salech converted a penalty he won just after half-time; however, his goal was quickly nullified with Shane Duffy adding a fourth from a corner. Salech netted with five minutes left, to end quite a sorry season in the history of Cardiff City.
Team News:
Cardiff City - Jack Moylan's availability unknown. Gabriel Osho doubtful. Will Fish, Dylan Lawlor, and Calum Chambers all remain out for City.
Norwich City - José Córdoba suspended. Paris Maghoma doubtful. Ali Ahmed, Jovon Makama, Errol Mundle-Smith, Lucien Mahovo, Ante Crnac, Gabe Forsyth, and Mirko Topić are out for the visitors. Amankwah Forson, Liam Gibbs, and Jakov Medić have unknown availability, with all three hoping to move before the window closes.
Preferred XI:
GK - Harry Tyrer
RB - Ronan Kpakio
RCB - Thierry Katsukunya
LCB - Joel Bagan
LB - Luey Giles
CDM - David Turnbull
CM - Joel Colwill
CAM - Rob Tankiewicz
RW - Isaak Davies
LW - Chris Willock
ST - Callum Robinson
Score Prediction:
Cardiff City 0-3 Norwich City
City are down to bare bones. Norwich have lost both of their opening games, so I'm expecting them to come out strong in the hopes of trying to right a poor start. League more important for Cardiff.
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