Saturday, January 27, 2018


Cardiff City vs Manchester City - Competition: English FA Cup

Cardiff City team are knocking on the door to the automatic promotion spots in English Championship. After hitting a rocky patch and sliding down the Championship table - a four-match losing run over the busy festive period - they have enjoyed a four match unbeaten run who have lifted them in 5th spot in the standings. They have also kept three clean sheets in the process. The Bluebirds needed a replay against League Two side Mansfield to set up this clash, as the first clash ended 0-0 in Wales and the replay 1-4 away from home.
The hosts are without Lee Camp, Kadeem Harris and Aron Gunnarsson for this clash. They have injected more quality into the squad in the January transfer window, borrowing Liverpool midfielder Marko Grujic and Norwich winger Yanic Wildschut. The former is expected to play in midfield while the latter will make the bench. Kenneth Zohore is likely to spearhead the attack in a 5-4-1 system, with David Junior Hoilett and Nathaniel Mendez Laing playing out wide. In defense, Sol Bamba, Sean Morrison and Bruno Ecuele Manga will play at the centre, with Joe Bennett and Lee Peltier as full backs.
Man City boast 12-point lead at the top of the EPL and booked their place in the League Cup Final as they beat Championship side Bristol in the second leg of their semi-final tie last Tuesday. The Citizens have won 32 of their 36 competitive matches so far this season and 15 of their 18 away games. Anyway, their defense remain a concern as Guardiola's men have managed to keep only 4 clean sheets in their last 17 outings.
Claudio Bravo is expected to continue in goal while Danilo, Vincent Kompany, Eliaquim Mangala, Yaya Toure, Ilkay Gundogan and Raheem Sterling could all be called upon. Kyle Walker broke his nose during City's victory at Ashton Gate and could be rested, meaning that Oleksandr Zinchenko will feature from the off at left back. Sergio Aguero will lead the line, having banged in eight goals in six games since the turn of the year. The likes of Fabian Delph, Phil Foden, Gabriel Jesus and Benjamin Mendy remain sidelined.

Date: 28 January 2018
Kick-off Time: 16:00 GMT
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium






 

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