CITY LOOK FOR FIRST AWAY WIN
Cardiff City are back on the road as they travel to Molineux to face César Peixoto's Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Opposition:
Wolves' 25/26 campaign was one to forget. The Old Gold registered just three league wins as they were relegated from the Premier League, and are widely considered one of the worst teams the English top flight has seen.
César Peixoto was appointed in the summer and oversaw an eye-catching window. The Portuguese recruited Kieran Trippier, John Ruddy, and Sean Neave from Newcastle United, Jordan James from Stade de Rennais, Ghislain Konan from Gil Vicente, Bertrand Traoré from Sunderland, Rafiki Saïd from Standard de Liège, João Virgínia from Sporting Lisbon, and the returning Raúl Jiménez from Fulham.
Peixoto favours a proactive, possession-based style, building from the back and using short passing combinations to control the tempo and create numerical advantages in midfield. His sides look to exploit width through attacking full-backs and wingers, while using movement between the lines to create openings and support a central striker. Out of possession, he encourages organised pressing to win the ball back quickly, with his preferred 4-2-3-1 providing a balance between attacking fluidity and defensive structure.
The Bluebirds:
City come into this one on the back of a statement win over Birmingham City. Yousef Salech's 31st-minute strike was enough to secure all three points for the Bluebirds.
Cardiff could disrupt Peixoto’s possession game with an aggressive, coordinated press, using tight marking and clever pressing traps to force turnovers in dangerous areas before the opposition can establish their passing rhythm. In possession, City should exploit the spaces left behind Peixoto’s advanced full-backs through quick combinations, vertical passing and dynamic rotations, overwhelming their defensive structure with constant movement.
Opposition Player to Watch:
Fer López has burst into life in a Wolves shirt since the club's relegation. López is an attack-minded midfielder who thrives between the lines, combining close control, quick feet and intelligent movement to create chances and drive at defenders. His technical ability and eye for a pass make him particularly effective in tight spaces, where he can unlock defences or arrive in dangerous areas himself.
The Spaniard is a product of Celta Vigo, having made his breakthrough at senior level with their farm team, Gran Peña. After an impressive breakout season with Celta's first team, López completed a £19M move to Wolves in the summer of 2025. After a slow first half of the season, the 22-year-old returned to Celta for the second half of last season. López has had a strong return to the Black Country, having contributed six goals and three assists in all competitions so far this season.
Last Meeting:
Wolves 2-0 Cardiff City (2019)
Cardiff and Wolves' most recent meetings have been full of drama and controversy. The last meeting between the two sides saw the hosts run out comfortable winners.
A quick-fire double early on from the late Diogo Jota and current Wolves striker Raúl Jiménez was enough to secure a valuable win for Nuno Espírito Santo's side. Not only did the Bluebirds face defeat, but they lost star man and the late Sol Bamba for the season, as he ruptured his ACL.
May both Diogo and Sol rest in peace.
Team News:
Cardiff City - Rubin Colwill back available. BBM is hopeful of having Krystian Bielik available. Dylan Lawlor remains out for the Bluebirds.
Wolverhampton Wanderers - Wolves hope to have Fer López and Nasser Djiga back available. Ghislain Konan and Raúl Jiménez out injured for the hosts.
Preferred XI:
GK - Nathan Trott
RB - Perry Ng
RCB - Will Fish
LCB - Joel Bagan
LB - Calum Scanlon
CDM - Alex Robertson
CM - Joel Colwill
CAM - Jack Moylan
RW - Ollie Tanner
LW - Cian Ashford
ST - Yousef Salech
Score Prediction:
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-3 Cardiff City
I feel City could be another side to catch Wolves out at Molineux and race to another impressive win.
Comments