Cardiff City have started their Premier League campaign quite disappointingly, as they are yet to register a single victory in four matches. They have picked up two points from two draws and will be facing Chelsea this weekend.
Cardiff City Team News
Aron Gunnarsson, who suffered a knee injury at the start of August, is very close to returning to first-team action. However, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing might be out of action for a longer period of time, having been sidelined since the end of August due to his knee injury.
Predicted Cardiff Lineup
Defence
Neil Etheridge will be the undisputed custodian for Cardiff, as he has bailed the team out due to his quick reflexes and smart stops from spot-kicks this season.
Bruno Ecuele Manga and Joe Bennett will start as the two fullbacks, as they will look to provide an attacking outlet from the flanks for the forwards. Bennett provided an assist against Arsenal and hence their offensive output would be essential for the team’s attacking gameplay.
Sean Morrison and Sol Bamba will start at the heart of the defence.
Midfield
Harry Arter will undertake the role of a midfield enforcer in the base of the midfield, whilst Joe Ralls will look to complement him by combining his defensive and attacking roles. Arter had put in three tackles against Arsenal, thereby demonstrating his tendency to break the opposition’s attacking moves.
Victor Camarasa, Cardiff’s right-winger, is a very tenacious player who doesn’t shy away from putting in a defensive shift. He drops deep to collect and recover possession, before switching the ball to the other flank and even charging ahead to receive the ball. Camarasa had put in two tackles and cleared the ball once against Gunners.
David Hoilett will start as the left-winger and he would be required to ably manage his overall gameplay. A major aspect of Cardiff’s style of play is that their wingers are asked to carry out an all-action role, where they have to provide energy and maintain discipline while tracking back and add creative edge when on the attacking front.
Attack
Bobby Reid and Danny Ward will start up front.
