The Bluebirds look to extend their good run of form against Tony Mowbray's Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
The Opposition:
After a slow start to the season, The Black Cats are now unbeaten in their last five winning four of them games. Sunderland have seen key men Ross Stewart, Lynden Gooch and Danny Batth. With the goal of reducing the average age of the squad they have signed Jobe Bellingham from Birmingham, Nectarios Triantis from Central Coast Mariners, Luis Semedo from Benfica, Jenson Seelt from PSV, Bradley Dack from Blackburn, Eliezer Mayenda from Sochaux, Nathan Bishop from Manchester United, Mason Burstow from Chelsea, Nazariy Rusyn from Zorya, Adil Aouchiche from Lorient and Timothee Pembele from PSG.
Sunderland work very hard on and off the ball, looking to get things done swiftly. They aren’t a side to sit back and soak up the pressure, but they are particular about their timing in a press — they seem to have struck gold with their tactics off the ball, pressing in midfield and high areas when the opponent presents a pressing trigger. Sunderland are a team that look to get things done quickly — quick thinking and decision-making followed by swift execution. This is likely why we rarely see them dominate a game in terms of possession, as they aim to gain yards up the pitch the second they get the ball. So far this season, the Black Cats have an average of 51.04% possession per 90 minutes, so their fixtures are often fairly even in terms of ball possession, but they average nearly 10 more forward passes per 90 than their opponents
The Bluebirds:
Cardiff come into this fixture on the back of two impressive victories against Swansea and Coventry. The Bluebirds have shown a clinical edge as they've scored five goals in these two games.
With Aaron Ramsey's expected return, Erol Bulut will likely return to the system used last weekend against Swansea, with both sides sharing possession and The Bluebirds looking to hurt Sunderland down the flanks.
Team News:
Cardiff City - Aaron Ramsey is expected to return after being rested against Coventry. Callum O'Dowda returned to training on Thursday but is unavailable. Josh Bowler remains out.
Sunderland - The Black Cats have a long list of absentees: Aji Alese, Corry Evans, Jewison Bennette, Bradley Dack, Pierre Ekwah, Eliezer Mayenda, Timothee Pembele, Dennis Cirkin and Jay Matete are all out. Nazariy Rusyn is available to make his Sunderland debut.
Preferred XI:
GK - Jak Alnwick
LB - Jamilu Collins
LCB - Mark McGuinness
RCB - Dimitrios Goutas
RB - Perry Ng
RDM - Manolis Siopis
LDM - Joe Ralls
CAM - Aaron Ramsey
LW - Karlan Grant
RW - Yakou Meite
ST - Ike Ugbo
Prediction:
Sunderland 2-2 Cardiff City
Two of the highest scorers in the division come head-to-head, there's bound to be goals. Sunderland conceded 22 shots against Blackburn and I feel The Bluebirds will be more clinical than Rovers. However, Cardiff have only kept one clean sheet this season meaning they're also conceding many chances. I could see The Bluebirds taking an early lead before a swift double from the hosts, then a late equaliser from Cardiff to earn a point.
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