Cardiff are aiming to make it five Championship wins in a row as they travel to Middlesbrough.
The Opposition:
Michael Carrick made a huge impact when he joined Boro last season, as he led them to the play offs after joining them whilst they were in the relegation places. This season, things haven't started the best after the departures of Chuba Akpom, Ryan Giles, Aaron Ramsey and Cameron Archer. Boro were active in the market as they brought in Terrell Agyemang from Man City, Alex Gilbert from Brentford, Rav van den Berg from Zwolle, Samuel Silvera from Central Coast Mariners, Tom Glover from Melbourne City, Morgan Rogers from Man City, Seny Dieng from QPR, Jamie Jones from Wigan, Lukas Engel from Silkeborg, Emmanuel Latte Lath from Atalanta, Lewis O'Brien from Nottingham Forest, Sam Greenwood from Leeds and Alex Bangura from Cambuur.
Carrick has typically set his side up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, but it fast evolves into a much more fluid system that is difficult for the opposition to defend against. Boro generate plenty of width under Carrick by shifting their formation when in possession to push one full-back high while the other drops in to create a back three.
Boro have recently picked up their form as they're now unbeaten in four in all competitions. After failing to win their first seven Championship games this season, Boro currently sit 21st in the table.
The Bluebirds:
It was another good weekend for The Bluebirds as they saw off Rotherham at the Cardiff City Stadium. The performance wasn't necessarily the best but it got the job done and The Bluebirds claimed all three points.
I could see The Bluebirds setting out to absorb Middlesbrough's pressure then hitting them on the counterattack. Boro will likely have a lot of possession but Cardiff are seemingly stronger in these type of games.
Team News:
Cardiff City - Yakou Meite was substituted early on Saturday due to injury which could rule him out of this fixture. Karlan Grant left the pitch heavily iced so an assessment could be made on him. Ramsey, O'Dowda and Bowler all out.
Middlesbrough - Lewis O'Brien is out for the hosts. Alex Bangura and Anfernee Dijksteel also ruled out.
Preferred XI:
GK - Jak Alnwick
LB - Jonathan Panzo
LCB - Mark McGuinness
RCB - Dimitrios Goutas
RB - Perry Ng
CDM - Manolis Siopis
LCM - Joe Ralls
RCM - Ebou Adams
RW - Ollie Tanner
LW - Callum Robinson
ST - Kion Etete
Prediction:
Middlesbrough 1-1 Cardiff City
I could see it being a tight game with not many chances for either team. I expect Boro to take the lead with us to equalise late on.
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