CARDIFF LOOK TO BUILD ON FIRST VICTORY

Cardiff City are back on the road, as they make the short trip to Bristol City for the Severnside Derby.

The Opposition:

The Robins had a mixed 23/24 campaign. After a mixed start under Nigel Pearson, a defeat in this exact fixture saw Pearson dismissed in October 2023, and replaced by then Oxford United manager Liam Manning. Manning would steady the ship and guide Bristol City to a respectable 11th place finish.

Manning was active in the summer as he looks to take his side to the next level, with the additions of George Earthy from West Ham, Luke McNally from Burnley, Scott Twine from Burnley, Fally Mayulu from Rapid Vienna, Sinclair Armstrong from QPR, Marcus McGuane from Oxford United and Yu Hirakawa from Machida Zelvia.

Manning's sides enjoy free-flowing attacking football. The 39 year-old has a possession-based style with the creativity coming from a triangle three in midfield. With the ball they are predominantly a possession based team, with measured build-up, but are not a pass for passing’s sake team, they don’t overplay, but are comfortable waiting for their opportunities. They are not a high-press team. But they are effective in a mid-block and trigger their press efficiently.

The Bluebirds:

City come into this one on the back of their first league victory, with a 1-0 win over Millwall thanks to a goal from Perry Ng. It was one of Cardiff's better showings this season against a poor Millwall side, The Bluebirds will have to go up a gear in order to see more success in this fixture.

The Bluebirds will have to stay compact and likely in a low block to see off The Robins. Cardiff's best work is likely to come on the counter attack and set pieces, of course. It's likely to be the battle in the middle of the park that either wins or loses the game.

Team News:

Cardiff City - Jesper Daland, Manolis Siopis and Callum O'Dowda are all back in contention. Ryotaro Tsunoda, Kion Etete, Isaak Davies and Aaron Ramsey remain out.

Bristol City - Ayman Benarous, Rob Dickie, Sam Bell and Rob Atkinson out for the hosts.

Preferred XI:

GK - Jak Alnwick

RB - Perry Ng

RCB - Dimitrios Goutas

LCB - Jesper Daland

LB - Joel Bagan

RCM - Alex Robertson

LCM - Joe Ralls

CAM - Rubin Colwill

RW - Ollie Tanner

LW - Anwar El Ghazi