Cardiff City vs Manchester United
Barclays Premier League – Sunday 24th November, 2013 (16:00 KO BST) – Cardiff City Stadium (26,828)
The Teams
Cardiff
Manager Malky Mackay on hosting the Champions: “It’s another one the whole city, the fans and myself are all really looking forward to. United are certainly in a good vein of form.”
- Summer signing Andreas Cornelius, sidelined since August with a ankle injury, returns to the squad.
- Another forward, Peter Odemwingie, has recovered from a muscle injury an looks set to feature.
- Aron Gunnarsson is fit despite hobbling off for Iceland on Tuesday night.
- Ben Turner, Peter Whittingham, Gary Medel, and Steven Caulker have started all eleven of Cardiff’s Premier League fixtures this season.
- Have scored only two home league goals since the 3-2 win over Manchester City in their opening league fixture at the CCS.
- Only the bottom two sides in the Premier League have scored fewer goals than Cardiff (9).
- Won their last home fixture, 1-0 against Swansea City.
Predicted line-up: Marshall, Théophile-Catherine, Turner, Caulker, Taylor, Medel, Gunnarsson, Mutch, Whittingham, Cowie, Odemwingie
Home record: P5 W2 D1 L2 F5 A5 Pts7
Home form: W D L L W
United
David Moyes ahead of the game: “We’re on a good run of form, we’re feeling good at the moment, we have confidence about us and we want to try and keep that going.”
- Forced off with a blow to the head against Arsenal, captain Nemanja Vidic looks set to return to the side.
- “Concussion is something which you do need to rest. He’s had his rest and we’ll bring him back and hopefully he’ll be fine,” the manager said.
- Michael Carrick, fresh from signing a new contract extension, misses the match with an Achilles injury.
- Danny Welbeck looks set to remain on the sidelines with a knee complaint.
- Phil Jones is a doubt after withdrawing from the England squad with a groin injury.
- Robin van Persie’s fitness will be assessed after withdrawing from the Netherlands squad in the week.
- Ryan Giggs could be in line for start after being lauded by David Moyes this week.
- “I’ve seen something different since I’ve come here – just how good he is, close up – and it’s incredible. It will be great for him to go back to Cardiff and I’m sure the supporters will give him a big cheer,” the manager said.
- Otherwise, Moyes will assess the condition of the squad after the international break. Starting XI will reflect this.
Predicted line-up: De Gea, Rafael, Evans, Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Fellaini, Cleverley, Giggs, Rooney, van Persie
Away record: P5 W3 D0 L2 F10 A8 Pts9
Away form: W L L W W
Previous five meetings
United 4-0 Cardiff (01-03-75)
Cardiff 0-1 United (31-08-74)
United 3-0 Cardiff (03-02-62)
Cardiff 1-2 United (16-09-61)
United 3-3 Cardiff (29-04-61)
Officials
Referee: Neil Swarbrick.
The 43-year-old official has taken charge of six Premier League matches this season, brandishing sixteen yellow cards and awarding a single penalty. He has yet to send a player off. Was last seen by United fans for the 4-0 home win over Norwich back in March.
Assistants: S Bennett, S Child.
Fourth Official: Jonathan Moss.
Notes
Patrice Evra looks set to make his 350th appearance for Manchester United.
First meeting between the two sides in 38 years.
Cardiff are looking to record back-to-back home wins in the top flight for the first time since April 1962
Robin van Persie has scored more goals than any other player in the Premier League since the start of 2011-12 (63), he’s also hit the woodwork the most often (19).
Seven of Cardiff’s nine league goals this season have been scored in the second half.
Steven Caulker has blocked nineteen shots this season in the Premier League; seven more than any other player.
Score prediction: Cardiff City 1-2 United
One reply on “MATCH PREVIEW: Cardiff City vs Manchester United”
Prediction: Cardiff City 1-4 Manchester United – Patrice Evra to score first.