Cardiff City remain in the Welsh capital as the host Steven Schumacher's Stoke City.
The Opposition:
Stoke have been the definition of inconsistent this season. A side that have shown bright sparkes, however have let themselves down with poor runs. Stoke have failed really to match there 4-1 win on the opening day, and have since been on a downwards spiral. The Potters have picked up some impressive wins against the likes of Leeds, Sunderland and Middlesbrough, however have been on the end of thumpings from Leicester, QPR, Blackburn and Hull.
Schumacher has four non-negotiables as a manager:“Run forward and pass it forward. If you lose it, get it back, all recovery runs are sprints, and win all your one-v-ones." The 39 year-old has favoured a 4-3-3 in his time at Stoke so far. Schumacher asks for simple football from his players, and asks they retain possession, a common theme with the Stoke boss' teams are chances come from the flanks.
Stoke come into this one 19th with a loss at the CCS meaning they could possibly fall into the relegation places.
The Bluebirds:
Cardiff showed signs of improvements against Blackburn with a solid hard working team performance. The Bluebirds defence definitely caught the eye, however Cardiff lacked fluidity in attack.
Cardiff will have to continue there aggressive press from last time out, as that is what Stoke have struggled against this season. The Potters have been calved open easily in the last five games, conceding twelve goals, so Rubin Colwill will be key in this fixture as one of his many strengths is breaking lines and getting in behind.
Team News:
Cardiff City - Yakou Meite is back available for The Bluebirds. Jak Alnwick and Callum O'Dowda are just a week away, so this one comes too early for those two. Robinson, Ramsey and McGuinness remain out as well. Perry Ng and Joe Ralls available to start again.
Stoke City - Luke McNally and Enda Stevens are out. Daniel Iversen back available. Ryan Mmaee unavailable due to attitude problems. Sead Haksabanovic has missed some training this week with a niggle, his availability is unknown. Jordan Thompson is suspended.
Preferred XI:
GK - Ethan Horvath
RB - Perry Ng
RCB - Dimitrios Goutas
LCB - Nat Phillips
LB - Josh Wilson-Esbrand
RDM - Manolis Siopis
LDM - David Turnbull
CAM - Rubin Colwill
RW - Ollie Tanner
LW - Karlan Grant
ST - Yakou Meite
Prediction:
Cardiff City 1-0 Stoke City
Cardiff have a brilliant chance to start a new run of form here, it's down to them whether they will take it. The stats show The Bluebirds will have plenty of chances, they need to make the most of that.
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