With not too many star additions to their lineups, Cardiff City do not seem completely equipped to take on the best in the Premier League and are one of the favourites to go down immediately. However, Neil Warnock will believe that his side have enough to trouble the teams in the lower half of the table, as they did against Newcastle United, picking up a point last weekend.
However, they played against 10 men for over 20 minutes and couldn’t find a winner. They will look to take a step ahead and pick up their first win this weekend when they travel to Kirklees to take on a Huddersfield Town side who are fresh from a 6-1 loss to Manchester City.
The Blue Birds lost to Bournemouth on the opening weekend and are yet to score a goal this season, but will look at this game as a chance to announce themselves to the Premier League.
The manager made a number of changes to his side from the 1st game to the previous one but might not make too many this time around. Here is the predicted lineup Warnock might field for this game against the Terriers:
Cardiff – Team News
Aron Gunnarsson remains the only long-term absentee as David Junior Hoilett could yet be fit for this weekend. He will undergo a late fitness test to make it to the matchday squad.
Expected Cardiff lineup (4-3-3)
Defence
Neil Etheridge was the best player for City against the Magpies, making six saves, most of which were crucial. He will hope to put in a similar performance this weekend as well.
Sol Bamba was not too effective in a no.6 role but had an impressive outing last weekend as a centre-back and is expected to start there alongside Sean Morrison. The duo has won 26 aerial duels so far this season and are a solid pair.
Joe Bennett was also brilliant against Rafa Benitez’s side and deserves to keep his place at left-back. The tough-tackling Bruno Ecuele Manga was more effective as a full-back and should start this game at right-back.
Midfield
With Bamba pushed back, Joe Ralls is expected to play as the deepest of the midfielders. He should be helped by Harry Arter, who made seven tackles last game, more than any player on the field.
Victor Camarasa also registered some impressive figures against the Magpies and deserves to start this weekend.
Attack
Bobby Reid failed to trouble Asmir Begovic in the first game but Kenneth Zohore did not do enough in the last game to justify a place in the first team.
Reid will lead the attack with Josh Murphy to his left and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing to his right. Junior Hoilett could replace Liang in the first team if fit for this weekend.
Here is how they might line up:
Stat Credit: Whoscored.com
