BLUEBIRDS LOOK TO RETURN TO THE TOP
- ccfcinsider
- Sep 29
- 3 min read
Cardiff City are back in the Welsh Capital as they host Gary Bowyer's Burton Albion.
The Opposition:
The Brewers looked destined for relegation for the majority for the 25/25 season before the appointment of Gary Bowyer in December. Bowyer guided Burton to a 20th place finish.
After a disappointing campaign, Burton have been busy in the summer looking to improve on last season. Gary Bowyer has added George Evans from Wrexham, Fabio Tavares from Coventry City, Toby Sibbick from Wigan Athletic, Dylan Williams from Chelsea, Alex Hartridge from Wycombe Wanderers, Jake Beesley from Blackpool, Tyrese Shade from Eastleigh, Jordan Amissah from Ross County, Kyran Lofthouse from Barnsley, Sebastian Revan from Wrexham, Brad Collins from Coventry City and JJ McKiernan from Lincoln City.
Gary Bowyer’s teams are typically compact, hard-working, and defensively disciplined, prioritising shape and organisation over expansive play. In possession, he often favours direct, pragmatic football with quick transitions and set-pieces as key attacking outlets.
The Bluebirds:
Cardiff come into this one the back of a convincing 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic. Perry Ng opened his account for the season as he gave City the lead in the first half, Yousef Salech netted a penalty with the last kick of the game to secure all three points.
This game could prove very similar to that we saw on Saturday, as Burton are likely to sit deep and hit City on the counter. City could unlock Bowyer’s compact shape by using patient, possession-based play with fluid rotations and overloads in wide areas to drag defenders out of position.
Opposition Player to Watch:
Charlie Webster really caught the eye last season, and was key in the Brewers' late revival. Webster is a dynamic central midfielder who combines ball-carrying and progressive passing with high energy off the ball, often driving play forward from deep while pressing aggressively.
The midfielder came through at Chelsea. Wesbter joined Heerenveen on loan for the 23/24 season, before sealing a permanent move to Burton Albion in 2024. Webster netted six an set up one last season, and has netted twice so far this season.
Last Meeting:
Cardiff City 3-1 Burton Albion (2018)
Last time these two sides met City ran out convincing winners. The Bluebirds' made it eight wins in a row on that day, as they achieved promotion at the end of that season, with Burton Albion unable to beat the drop and facing relegation from the Championship.
City took the lead through Kenneth Zohore, before being pegged back by a Darren Bent equaliser. Goals from Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Callum Paterson was enough for Neil Warnock's City to earn all three points.
Team News:
Cardiff City - This game comes just too soon for Ronan Kpakio. Eli King and Ollie Tanner remain out injured.
Burton Albion - Kegs Chauke, Jasper Moon, Jason Sraha and Julian Larsson out injured for the visitors.
Preferred XI:
GK - Nathan Trott
RB - Perry Ng
RCB - Dylan Lawlor
LCB - Gabriel Osho
LB - Joel Bagan
CDM - Ryan Wintle
RCM - Rubin Colwill
LCM - Joel Colwill
RW - Cian Ashford
LW - Chris Willock
ST - Yousef Salech
Cardiff City 3-0 Burton Albion
I think if Cardiff score early they can put Burton to the sword. I do fear a little if the game goes on for some time without a City goal, that the Brewers might nick something late on, but hopeful of a convincing City win.
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