CITY FACE LUTON IN PARAMOUNT FIXTURE

ccfcinsider
Aug 22
3 min read

Cardiff City remain on the road as they face Matt Bloomfield's Luton Town at Kenilworth Road.

The Opposition:

Luton were one of the fellow sides relegated from the Championship last season. Rob Edwards failed to reach the heights expected and was dismissed in January, and replaced by Matt Bloomfield who couldn't recover the damage already done, with The Hatters finishing 22nd.

Key players such as Thelo Aasgaard, Alfie Doughty, Thomas Kaminski as well as twelve others departed Kenilworth Road over the summer. Bloomfield and Luton have been in the market therefore, adding Josh Keeley from Tottenham Hotspur, George Saville from Millwall, Kal Naismith from Bristol City, Hakeem Odoffin from Rotherham United, Jerry Yates from Swansea City, Jake Richards from Exeter City, Cohen Bramall from Portsmouth, Nigel Lonwijk from Wolves, Gideon Kodua from West Ham and Nahki Wells from Bristol City.

Bloomfield is looking to play fast and direct with an emphasis on the utilisation of a forward with more pace and a desire to win possession back in the final third and punish loose touches. There is a heavy emphasis on creating chances from wide areas. Due to Bloomfield’s more expansive shape expect the flanks to interchange between fullback and winger throughout the game as both players are capable of slotting into the fullback position when their overlapping defender advances forward.

The Bluebirds:

City come into this one on the back of a 1-0 away win over AFC Wimbledon, thanks to an injury time winner from substitute Isaak Davies who latched onto a mis-hit shot.

It will be an interesting tactical battle, with both sides loving having the ball. However, City have been impressive out of possession, so will need to rely on that as well at Kenilworth Road. Cardiff need to show ruthlessness in the final third and set a statement in what already feels a huge game.

Opposition Player To Watch:

Josh Keeley is in close second (behind Nathan Trott) when it comes to stats for goalkeepers this season. The Irishman has kept three clean sheets in four games. Keeley has made an instant impact since his move and will pose a real threat for City.

Keeley came through the ranks at St. Patrick's Athletic before completing a move to Spurs. The keeper spent loan spells at Barnet and Leyton Orient where he impressed, earning the 22 year-old a move to the Hatters this summer.

Last Meeting:

Cardiff City 1-2 Luton Town (2024)

These two sides' last meeting was one to forget for City, but one that epitomised last season for The Bluebirds. It was a must-win for Omer Riza's Cardiff, and after taking the lead, City ultimately fell to defeat.

Calum Chambers' volley from just inside the box gave Cardiff the lead just after half-time. Jordan Clark then squared the game with a sweet volley, before Thelo Aasgaard pounced on a Dimtirios Goutas error to fire home from close range and give Luton a valuable win on the road.

Team news:

Cardiff City - Ollie Tanner out after picking up injury in midweek. Late decisions to be made on Alex Robertson and Perry Ng. Jesper Daland to miss out due to ongoing transfer negotiations.

Luton Town - Mads Andersen a doubt for the hosts. Nahki Wells available after injury as well as Christ Makosso whose back from suspension. Teden Mengi, Hakeem Odoffin, Elijah Adebayo and Jacob Brown out injured for Luton. Availability of the likes of Tahith Chong, Marvelous Nakamba and Isaiah Jones unknown, with the three yet to be included this season, as they pursue moves away from the club.

Preferred XI:

GK - Nathan Trott

RB - Ronan Kpakio

RCB - Will Fish

LCB - Dylan Lawlor

LB - Joel Bagan

CDM - Ryan Wintle

RCM - Rubin Colwill

LCM - David Turnbull

RW - Cian Ashford

LW - Chris Willock

ST - Yousef Salech