TOUGH CLASH AT THE CCS AWAITS

The Bluebirds remain in the Welsh Capital as they host Lee Grant's Huddersfield Town.

Dylan Lawlor in action.

The Opposition:

The Terriers spent a large part of the 24/25 in the playoff spots, contesting for an instant return to the Championship, however a disastrous end to the season led to a 10th placed finish. The poor end to the season saw Michael Duff replaced by Lee Grant.

Huddersfield saw a large play turnover in the summer. Lee Grant added Alfie May from Birmingham City, Ryan Ledson from Preston North End, Lynden Gooch from Stoke City, Jack Whatmough from Preston North End, Will Alves from Leicester City, Murray Wallace from Millwall, Marcus Harness from Ipswich Town, Sean Roughan from Lincoln City, Marcus McGuane from Bristol City, Josh Feeney from Aston Villa, Owen Goodman from Crystal Palace, Leo Castledine from Chelsea, Zepiqueno Redmond from Aston Villa and Joe Low from Wycombe Wanderers.

Lee Grant sets Huddersfield up in a compact, disciplined mid-block, prioritising defensive organisation and limiting space between the lines. In possession, the approach was direct and pragmatic, using quick transitions, wide play, and early balls forward rather than prolonged build-up.

The Bluebirds:

City come into this one on the back of a disappointing 5-1 defeat in the Vertu Trophy against AFC Wimbledon. A late Luey Giles consolation was no threat to the Dons who cruised through to the Round of 16.

Barry-Murphy's side could threaten Huddersfield by using aggressive high pressing and fluid positional rotations to disrupt the mid-block, create overloads wide, and force turnovers high up the pitch.

Opposition Player to Watch:

Alfie May in action.

Despite a somewhat slow start at The Terriers, there's no denying Alfie May poses a constant threat at this level. Alfie May is a sharp, high-energy striker who thrives on pressing from the front, making clever runs in behind, and finishing quickly with minimal touches.

May began his long footballing journey with Corinthian. Spells at Billericay Town, Chatham Town, Bromley, VCD Athletic, Erith & Belvedere, Farnborough and Hythe Town, before the forward's break in profession football came with Doncaster Rovers in 2017. May spent three years at Donny before joining Cheltenham Town. After success in his two and a half seasons at Cheltenham, May earnt a move to Charlton Athletic where he would continue to impress, joining Birmingham City just a season on from his move to The Addicks. After sixteen goals last season, May was on the move again, joining Huddersfield in the summer, where he has netted three goals and set up two so far this season.

Last Meeting:

Cardiff City 1-0 Huddersfield Town (2024)

Famara Diedhiou celebrating.

A first half goal from Famara Diedhiou was enough to seal City all three points the last time these two sides met.

In a first half that offered little quality, Diedhiou opened his account for The Bluebirds with a sweeping effort from a Josh Bowler cutback. Huddersfield pushed in the second half, with Danny Ward missing a glorious chance. The Terriers would go onto be relegated that season.

Team News:

Cardiff City - Gabriel Osho joins Rubin Colwill, Eli King and Ollie Tanner on the side-line after fracturing his foot in midweek.

Huddersfield Town - Jack Whatmough, Marcus McGuane, Mickel Miller, Herbie Kane, Will Alves, Antony Evans and Zepiqueno Redmond all out injured for the visitors.

Preferred XI:

GK - Nathan Trott

RB - Ronan Kpakio

RCB - Will Fish

LCB - Dylan Lawlor

LB - Joel Bagan

CDM - Ryan Wintle

RCM - David Turnbull

LCM - Alex Robertson

RW - Omari Kellyman

LW - Chris Willock

ST - Yousef Salech

Score Prediction:

Cardiff City 3-2 Huddersfield Town

These two sides have no issue finding the net, but have had their defensive struggles in recent times, so it's bound to be a high scoring affair, that I'm hoping The Bluebirds could edge.

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