Cardiff City remain on the road to face Chris Wilder's Sheffield United in the Third Round of the FA Cup.
The Opposition:
Sheffield United have been flying this season, as they sit top of the Championship despite a pre-season points deduction.
In the current season, Chris Wilder’s formation uses a different type of structure and fresh ideas than his first spell at the club. Now, Sheffield United tend to play with a back four. We can say that they use a 4-2-3-1 shape, but it frequently changes. During the build-up, they usually play with a symmetrical backline and a double pivot, while Gustavo Hamer’s role constantly changes. Hamer, a player for inner channels, starts as a left-winger and is free to drop in to build a temporary 4-3-3 when the play is being built on his flank. Once this happens, Callum O’Hare (attacking midfielder) or Tyrese Campbell/Kieffer Moore (striker) can move to Hamer’s original space and progress from wide. What Chris Wilder applies in the final third is a central overloads-tendency.
In the final third, Gustavo Hamer and Rak-Sakyi tend to move to the centre, and Chris Wilder’s full-back attacks depth, looking for crossing/finishing zones.
Harrison Burrows from the left frequently finds goal opportunities in this way.
The Bluebirds:
Omer Riza's side come into this one on the back of a valiant point and performance away at Middlesbrough. Cardiff conceded early, but a Calum Chambers stunner earned a point for The Bluebirds.
City have conceded possession of late and hurt sides on the counter, something they will look to continue to do in this one. Sheffield United quite frankly have bigger fish to fry, but this win could but City in good stead ahead of some important fixtures.
Team News:
Cardiff City - Kion Etete back available for The Bluebirds. Isaak Davies, Roko Simic, Aaron Ramsey, Michael Reindorf and David Turnbull out for City. Callum Robinson suspended.
Sheffield United - Kieffer Moore a doubt. Harry Souttar and Oliver Arblaster out with long-term injuries.
Preferred XI:
GK - Ethan Horvath
RB - Ronan Kpakio
RCB - Perry Ng
LCB - Will Fish
LB - Luey Giles
RCM - Cody Twose
LCM - Joe Ralls
CAM - Rubin Colwill
RW - Ollie Tanner
LW - Chris Willock
ST - Yakou Meite
Prediction:
Sheffield United 1-2 Cardiff City
The hosts simply have bigger fish to fry, so I don't see them taking this massively serious, whereas City could probably do with a win, and a young hungry side has shown what it's capable of in the Carabao Cup.
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