Predicted Cardiff City Lineup To Face Bristol City In EFL Championship
Cardiff have taken a 4-point advantage in the race for second place in the Championship and Neil Warnock will want to make sure that that the lead stays until the end of the season. They were the only team in the top-6 to win a game during midweek and this weekend, they face a Bristol City side who could drop out of the top-6 if they lose this weekend.
Cardiff are having a remarkable season and are competing well with teams with much bigger budgets than theirs. Neil Warnock emphasises the team above the individual and has drilled his team into a well-oiled machine that is very difficult to play against. They managed a 1-0 win away against a tricky Ipswich side and they would take a similar result against Bristol City.
Team News
Neil Warnock is facing a defensive crisis of sorts, especially at fullback, where he is missing Jazz Richards, Armand Traore, Lee Peltier, Callum Peterson and Joe Bennett. He is also without Aron Gunnarsson and Sean Morrison, while Gary Madine is pushing for a starting place.
Probable Cardiff XI
Formation: 4-4-2
GK – Neil Etheridge
A constant starter for Cardiff this season and is a confident goalkeeper. The former Charlton player will want to get to the Premier League to test himself against the best.
LB – Matthew Connolly
Usually a right-back, Connolly could be drafted in to cover the defensive injury crisis. A solid defender, he will hope he is not put under too much pressure.
CB – Sol Bamba
Sol Bamba has settled well into the Cardiff side, and the way the defence is playing, his lack of pace is not getting exposed.
CB – Greg Halford
Greg Halford should be drafted in for Sean Morrison who is injured this weekend. The former Wolves player will prove to be a physical challenge to the Bristol City attackers.
RB – Bruno Manga
Bruno Manga is a strong and tough tackling defender who you can expect to play a lot of balls over the top.
RM – Nathaniel Mendez-Laing
Mendez-Laing is an excellent dribbler and when he gets hold of the ball with a back-pedalling fullback in front of him, he is brilliant. He will want to add to his 4 assists here.
CM – Joe Ralls
One of the breakout players of the season, he has had a brilliant time at the heart of this Cardiff side and has come up with some important goals.
CM – Marko Grujic
Grujic is playing so well and it looks like a masterstroke from Cardiff.
LM – Junior Hoilett
The creative spark of this team, Junior Hoilett is a player who can create something from nothing. He will only need a second before producing a moment of brilliance.
ST – Gary Madine
The former Bolton striker has worked his way back to fitness and will be desperate to get some goals under his belt for his new club.
ST – Kenneth Zohore
The big striker will play the holdup role and look for the nippy Madine whenever he can.