Cardiff City are back in the Welsh Capital as they host Premier League side Southampton in the Second Round of the Carabao Cup.
The Opposition:
After a poor start under Russell Martin, The Saints recovered with a record breaking winning run and finished comfortably in the play-offs. A goal from Adam Armstrong was enough to seal a win against Leeds in the play-off finals, and confirm Southampton's place back in the Premier League.
After winning the 'Most Expensive game in Football', The Saints have splashed the cash on quite a few new players. The Saints have recruited Taylor Harwood-Bellis from Manchester City, Flynn Downes from West Ham, Cameron Archer from Aston Villa, Matheus Fernandes from Sporting, Ben Brereton Diaz from Villarreal, Nathan Wood from Swansea, Ronnie Edwards from Peterborough, Charlie Taylor from Burnley, Adam Lallana from Brighton, Lesley Ugochukwu from Chelsea and Yukinari Sugwara from AZ.
Southampton is a typical Russell Martin side: intricate build-up play, aggressive (very high) pressing & huge ball retention all aimed at swamping opponents and either forcing a mistake or overwhelming a defence. Martin, prioritizes making the pitch as wide as possible with wing-backs staying on the edge of the final third and lots of rotation in midfield.
The Bluebirds:
City come into this one on the back of an important point in the South Wales Derby. Cardiff showed fight after going behind, with a goal from Callum Robinson late on sealing The Bluebirds' first point of the season.
If Cardiff are to be successful in this one, they must stay compact and let little through, and then making the most of their presence at set pieces, or, catch The Saints on the break.
Team News:
Cardiff City - Joe Ralls is a doubt. Tsunoda, Davies, Fish, Etete and Collins out.
Southampton - The Saints hope to give minutes to Ross Stewart, Kamaldeen Sulemana and Adam Lallana. Bazunu and Larios out.
Preferred XI:
GK - Jak Alnwick
RB - Raheem Conte
RCB - Dimitrios Goutas
LCB - Malachi Fagan-Walcott
LB - Joel Bagan
LDM - Alex Robertson
RDM - Andy Rinomhota
CAM - Rubin Colwill
RW - Ollie Tanner
LW - Cian Ashford
ST - Wilfried Kanga
Prediction:
Cardiff City 0-3 Southampton
Think Southampton will end up outclassing a young Bluebirds side in a routine victory for the visitors.
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