Cardiff City are looking to end their torturous run as they travel to face Stoke City.
The Opposition:
Stoke saw a big overhaul of players in the 23/24 season. Whilst it started with positive signs, things took a turn for the worst, with Alex Neil being dismissed. Steven Schumacher was chosen as Neil's successor, and led the club to a 17th placed finish.
Steven Schumacher was the one in charge for another busy summer for The Potters, as he added Tom Cannon from Leicester, Ashley Phillips from Spurs, Andrew Moran from Brighton, Eric Bocat from Saint-Truiden, Viktor Johansson from Rotherham, Sam Gallagher from Blackburn, Bosun Lawal from Celtic, Lewis Koumas from Liverpool, Ben Gibson from Norwich and Tatsuki Seko from Kawaskai Front. After a mixed start to the season, Shumacher was dismissed and replaced with Narcis Pelach.
Pelach's style of play is, in a way, very similar to that of the ex-Plymouth boss, with emphasis on a high-press and energetic forward play. The Potters have had struggled adapting thus far, but will no doubt look at Cardiff as a game they have a huge chance in.
The Bluebirds:
Cardiff come into this one on the back of another defeat. City lacked an intensity and quality in a 2-0 home defeat against Preston.
City need to get at Stoke and not show them too much respect, as they have individuals that can hurt Cardiff. The Bluebirds need to show something different to what they have in recent weeks/months if they wish to stop the rut.
Team News:
Cardiff City - Wilfried Kanga and Manolis Siopis back available for The Bluebirds. Ollie Tanner, Aaron Ramsey, Isaak Davies and Kion Etete out.
Stoke City - Sam Gallagher and Bosun Lawal back available. Ben Pearson remains out.
Preferred XI:
GK - Ethan Horvath
RB - Perry Ng
RCB - Will Fish
LCB - Jesper Daland
LB - Callum O'Dowda
RDM - Alex Robertson
LDM - Manolis Siopis
CAM - Rubin Colwill
RW - Anwar El Ghazi
LW - Chris Willock
ST - Wilfried Kanga
Prediction:
Stoke City 2-0 Cardiff City
Comments