Well, here we go again.
The second home game of the season and it seems as though the KC is becoming an Aviary, first welcoming the Canaries and this week the Bluebirds but The Tigers have every intention of turning it into a lair again as we look to maintain our 100% home win record.
When City played Cardiff during their last visit at the top of the Championship, City lost their concentration as well as a 1-0 lead and in the 93rd minute conceded a heartbreaking goal which prolonged the promotion agony and placed it in the hands of Leeds Utd for a nerve wracking 4 minutes but very kindly helped us out and it’s not often we can say that. (I should doubt we’ll ever say it again in fact?)
Like City, Cardiff have made a number of signings to bolster their Premiership campaign which includes the talent of Odemwingie, Caulker and Gary Medel a record-breaking signing for the Bluebirds and proving to be a very competent player in recent outings.
There’s no doubt that City will have it all to do this Saturday. Although both sides lost their opening game of the season, Cardiff beat Man City in their next fixture which Hull City failed to do and shows how lethal they can be when turning their minds to the game in hand especially considering they came from a goal behind, and an impressive draw against a good Everton side sees them a point above The Tigers.
Although City have had two defeats, they have put in respectable away performances and had two 0-0 halves and we are looking for the forwards to get into gear as we are yet to score a goal in open play but arguably, the game against Cardiff is the one to relax into and let the new signings show the City faithful what they are capable of and hopefully we will see the net ripple behind the Cardiff keeper on more than one occasion.
The bookies are still turning the screws though because City’s odds for relegation at the beginning of the season were 8/11 and they are now a meaner 4/5 and they obviously don’t fancy City to be anything like the giant killers that saw us beat 3 top London sides on the bounce once upon a year. This season however it’s a very different story and for survival, City must aim for at least 10 points or so above the 30 points that nailed our last relegation from the Premiership and Cardiff are in City’s sights as the doners for the next 3 points.
For the statisticians amongst you, It’s Cardiff manager and Premiership’s new boy Malky Mackay that has the edge over the experienced Steve Bruce as Mackay has a win rate of 46.79% while Bruce has a lower 37.62%, so while Cardiff, statistically are mathematically predicted to win nearly every other game, The Tigers are on course to win 1 game in every 3 which would precariously see us above the trap door zone if only the percentages would hold out.
The control of the game between City and Cardiff will undoubtedly be decided by the midfield battle between Huddlestone and Chilean International, "Pitbull" GaryMedel. Huddleston will adopt his defensive midfield, ball holding mantle and look to surgically carve open Cardiff weaknesses and exploit any spaces that open up and Medel will be looking to rush Huddlestone and not allow him to settle on the ball as he’s a quick and snappy player.
The biggest single danger on the pitch has to be Fraizer Campbell. For me it’s mixed emotions seeing him back at the KC. A great City favourite but in a Bluebird shirt I can honestly say that I hope he has a bad day at the office. Davies and Chester better make sure they are goal side of Campbell continually as one defence splitting pass and Campbell will outpace both the central defenders and we need to keep 2 or 3 yards in the bank to deal with him.
On the other hand we can’t sit too deep and worry solely about Campbell as another Bluebird danger is midfielder, Korean born Kim Bo-Yong who will happily travel with the ball into open spaces and will link well with Medel should they both be in the same line up.
City and Cardiff are on reasonably even terms over their match history with The Tigers winning 21 times to Cardiff’s 17 and 19 shared honours although Cardiff only have a 17% win record when they have visited Boothferry Park and the KC.
After beating the Canaries in August and if we can beat the Bluebirds on Saturday, and then the Magpies next weekend, Bruce will have had 3 birds in a month!...Who says he’s ugly?
My prediction – The Tigers 2 – Cardiff City 1