Cardiff City open their FA Cup campaign at fellow Championship side Sheffield Wednesday.
The Opposition:
Spanish boss Xisco Munoz oversaw The Owls' summer business and was given the tricky task of keeping Sheffield Wednesday away from the relegation places. Wednesday were given a touch opening few games with the likes of Southampton, Preston and Hull, unsuprisingly The Owls were convincingly beaten on each occasion. Things didn't get better as losses against Cardiff, Ipswich, Swansea, Sunderland and West Brom followed, meaning in October the Spaniard was given his marching orders. Sheffield Wednesday wasted no time as they appointed highly rated German coach Danny Rohl, who has previous experience with RB Leipzig, Southampton, Bayern Munich and the German National Team. Rohl brought the club's first victory of the season in late October as they beat Rotherham at Hillsborough. The Owls followed that up by going four winless, however, a draw against Leicester seemed to be turning point as that draw led to Wednesday winning three of their next four games. Since Wednesday's defeat Cardiff, Cardiff have won two of their last three outings.
Rohl's principles are non negotiable as he allows his players freedom to express themselves within a dynamic team. Rohl isn't necessairly a possession-focused coach, he focuses more on staying compact and being a hard team to break down. Will Vaulks has become a key player since the German's arrival and is back to playing at the top of his game, his energetic style suits Rohl's system down to the ground.
The Bluebirds:
As for Cardiff, it was a much better outing last time out as they beat QPR 2-1 at Loftus Road. The Bluebirds controlled the game and made it count through goals from Dimitrios Goutas and Perry Ng.
I can see this being a scrappy game with no real rhythm. I could see both sides share possession, if Cardiff want to win it's likely to come from the flanks with the pace Cardiff have in that area.
Team News:
Cardiff City - Dimitrios Goutas out for personal reasons. O'Dowda, Grant and Ramsey remain out. Erol Bulut could miss the trip due to illness.
Sheffield Wednesday - Former Cardiff duo Callum Paterson and Will Vaulks out for the hosts. George Byers and Bambo Diaby suspended. Famewo and Iorfa also out.
Preferred XI:
GK - Matt Turner
RB - Mahlon Romeo
RCB - Malachi Fagan-Walcott
LCB - Jonathan Panzo
LB - Vontae Daley-Campbell
CDM - Romaine Sawyers
RCM - Joel Colwill
LCM - Andy Rinomhota
RW - Ollie Tanner
LW - Callum Robinson
ST - Ike Ugbo
Prediction:
Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 Cardiff City
Don't think it's a competition Cardiff will take seriously, so I could see The Owls coasting to victory at Hillsborough.
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