Cardiff City return to the Welsh Capital as they host Johannes Hoff Thorup's Norwich City.
The Opposition:
Norwich had a poor start to the 23/24 season, with plenty of pressure placed on then manager David Wagner. A win in the Welsh Capital changed The Canaries' fortune, as Wagner guided Norwich to a sixth placed finish. Leeds would beat Norwich over the space of two legs to confirm The Canaries' Championship status for another season.
David Wagner was dismissed following The Canaries' play-off defeat, and was replaced by Johannes Hoff Thorup. Thorup lost big names such as Jon Rowe, Gabriel Sara and Christos Tzolis over the summer. With the funds raised, Norwich added Callum Doyle from Man City, Kaide Gordan from Liverpool, Anis Slimane from Sheffield United, Jose Cordoba from Levski Sofia, Ante Crnac from Rakow, Amankwah Forson from RB Salzburg, Ben Chrisene from Aston Villa, Oscar Schwartau from Brondby and Emiliano Marcondes.
Thorup tends to favour a 4-3-3 formation, demonstrating a high level of player-profile understanding, with players often transitioning into their optimal positions. Deep build-up play is often a significant feature of teams hoping to dominate the ball, and this is no different for Johannes Hoff Thorup.
The Bluebirds:
Cardiff City come into this one on the back of a respectable draw away at West Brom. The Bluebirds played with character and gained another valuable point on the road.
Cardiff are going have to stay strong and compact in order to hold the Norwich pressure. City will have to make the most of opportunities that will likely arise.
Team News:
Cardiff City - Callum Robinson could be a doubt for City. Joe Ralls, Kion Etete, Isaak Davies and Aaron Ramsey all remain out for The Bluebirds. Perry Ng suspended.
Norwich City - Marcelino Nunez, Christian Fassnacht, Tony Springett, Angus Gunn, Liam Gibbs, Onel Hernandez, Brad Hills and Ashley Barnes all out injured for the visitors. Kenny McLean suspended.
Preferred XI:
GK - Jak Alnwick
RB - Calum Chambers
RCB - Dimitrios Goutas
LCB - Jesper Daland
LB - Callum O'Dowda
LCM - David Turnbull
RCM - Alex Robertson
CAM - Rubin Colwill
RW - Ollie Tanner
LW - Anwar El Ghazi
ST - Wilfried Kanga
Prediction:
Cardiff City 2-2 Norwich City
Goals, goals and more goals.
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