Cardiff City are back on their travels as they make the trip to the Kassam Stadium to face Oxford United.
The Opposition:
Oxford started the 23/24 season on fire under Liam Manning. However, Manning departed for Bristol City in November. Des Buckingham would replace Manning, guiding The O's to a fifth place finish. Oxford would confirm promotion after a 2-0 Play-Off final victory over Bolton.
Des Buckingham oversaw the summer window, recruiting Will Vaulks from Sheffield Wednesday, Peter Kioso from Rotherham, Jack Currie from AFC Wimbledon, Louie Sibley from Derby, Idris El Mizouni from Ipswich, Hidde ter Avest from Urtrecht, Przemyslaw Placheta from Swansea, Matt Phillips from West Brom, Jamie Cumming from Chelsea, Ben Nelson from Leicester, Dane Scarlett from Spurs, Matt Ingram from Hull, Siriki Dembele from Birmingham, Malcom Ebiowei from Crystal Palace, Marselino Ferdinan from KMSK Deinze and Jacob Knightbridge from West Ham. Buckinham would be dismissed in December, and replaced by Gary Rowett.
Rowett has never had a set style or formation, typically the fifty year-old will adapt his system to match the players he has available. During Rowett's time at Millwall, he opted typically for a back three, something we may see on Thursday in Rowett's first game as O's boss.
The Bluebirds:
Cardiff come into this one on the back of another defeat. Top of the league Sheffield United just had too much for a valiant Bluebirds side, with Kieffer Moore netting two fine goals to make it one win in ten for City.
The Bluebirds are going to have to be aggressive and try and make the most of the little time Rowett has had to work with his squad to their advantage. City are going to have to be strong and calculated in order to get something from this must win fixture.
Team News:
Cardiff City - Chris Willock, Callum O'Dowda and Joe Ralls doubts. Ollie Tanner, Perry Ng, Aaron Ramsey, Isaak Davies and David Turnbull remain out.
Oxford United - Joe Bennett, Sirki Dembele and Louie Sibley out for the hosts.
Preferred XI:
GK - Ethan Horvath
RCB - Dimitrios Goutas
CB - Will Fish
LCB - Jesper Daland
RM - Andy Rinomhota
RCM - Manolis Siopis
LCM - Alex Robertson
LM - Joel Bagan
RAM - Anwar El Ghazi
LAM - Cian Ashford
ST - Yakou Meite
Prediction:
Oxford United 3-1 Cardiff City
I can see this one being similar to City's defeat against Plymouth Argyle last season. A decent start before Oxford find rhythm, and then it turns into a toxic atmosphere and another defeat for City.
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