Cardiff City return from the international break as they host Plymouth Argyle.
The Opposition:
It's fair to say Argyle had a mixed 23/24 season. Steven Schumacher was at the helm to begin the season, however his sudden departure to Stoke saw Ian Forster take the reigns. After Forster lost nine of his seventeen in charge, he was dismissed, leaving Plymouth in a precarious position. A final day victory over Hull would be enough to secure Championship status for another season.
Wayne Rooney was appointed over the summer, with the task of taking Argyle up the table. The ex-England forward has added Darko Gyabi from Leeds, Nathaniel Ogbeta from Swansea, Rami Al Hajj from Odense, Dan Grimshaw from Blackpool, Victor Palsson from Eupen, Ibrahim Cissoko from Toulouse, Michael Obafemi from Burnley, Kornel Szucs from Kecskemet, as well as Free Agents, Andre Gray and Marko Marosi.
Rooney's sides are typically high energy and in your face with a strong press, Rooney's sides are always high in the table for possession won in the final third. Rooney doesn't typically play a possession focused style, however, a more direct system with the aim of getting balls into the box as quick as possible.
The Bluebirds:
Cardiff come into this one on the back of a frustrating draw in the Severnside Derby, with many of the opinion The Bluebirds should've comfortably won the game. City controlled large periods, however a late tactical change saw Bristol City come into the game and eventually nick a goal late on.
City will likely have more possession in this one, but could find it difficult to breakdown Argyle. Cardiff will have to be alert on the break with the quality of Cissoko and Whittaker posing a constant threat for the visitors.
Team News:
Cardiff City - A fully fit Cardiff squad except for long-term absentees Ryotaro Tsunoda, Kion Etete, Isaak Davies and Aaron Ramsey who all remain out.
Plymouth Argyle - Plymouth hopeful of having Ibrahim Cissoko available. Brendan Galloway, Muhamed Tijani and Conor Hazard all out.
Preferred XI:
GK - Jak Alnwick
RB - Perry Ng
RCB - Dimitrios Goutas
LCB - Jesper Daland
LB - Joel Bagan
RDM - Manolis Siopis
LDM - Alex Robertson
CAM - Rubin Colwill
RW - Ollie Tanner
LW - Anwar El Ghazi
ST - Callum Robinson
Prediction:
Cardiff City 1-1 Plymouth Argyle
I feel this won't be as plain sailing as some claim. This is a good Plymouth team, that are capable of hurting Cardiff. I think it'll be an entertaining score draw.
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