Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Preview: Cardiff City vs. Stoke City - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 22 February 2024, 18:13
Aiming to move themselves back into playoff contention following a poor run of form, Cardiff City will welcome relegation-threatened Stoke City to the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday afternoon in the Championship.

The Bluebirds shared the spoils with Blackburn Rovers during a midweek clash, whilst the Potters' most-recent fixture ended in defeat against Coventry City.

Match preview

Cardiff's winless run in the Championship extended to four matches after an uninspiring goalless draw against John Eustace's Blackburn on Tuesday night at the Cardiff City Stadium, although the share of the points halted a worrying three-game losing streak for the Welsh side.

After shipping eight goals in three defeats to Preston North End, West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City since the beginning of February, the Bluebirds will be pleased with their defensive showing last time out against Rovers, who were unable to breach the net of January arrival Ethan Horvath.

Following a spell of just the single win from their last seven Championship matches, Erol Bulut's men are currently languishing in 14th position in the second-tier standings, a sizeable 13 points behind sixth-placed Hull City and just nine points above Queens Park Rangers in 22nd.

The Bluebirds are still in the process of embedding a host of their winter signings, including former Celtic man David Turnbull and ex-Bristol City poacher Famara Diedhiou, with the latter being a secondary option for Bulut after he was unable to lure Kieffer Moore to South Wales.

Converting dominance in possession into clear-cut chances and goals has been a glaring issue for Cardiff this season, with defenders Perry Ng and Dimitrios Goutas currently leading the Golden Boot race at the club with just five and four Championship goals respectively.

Following a much-needed maximum over relegation rivals QPR in the Championship on Valentine's Day, Stoke failed to make it back-to-back wins for the first time since late October after falling to a narrow defeat at the hands of Mark Robins's playoff-chasing Coventry outfit last Saturday.

The Potters arguably had the better of the chances but were ultimately unable to beat Ben Wilson in the Sky Blues' net, with former Sunderland loanee Ellis Simms bagging the game-winning goal for the visitors as their charge for the top-six positions continues to gather pace.

After sacking former manager Alex Neil at the end of 2023, Steven Schumacher has not yet managed to pull Stoke away from serious danger at the foot of the second-tier table, with Saturday's visitors occupying 19th position ahead of the weekend, just three points ahead of Marti Cifuentes's QPR.

Suffering back-to-back 3-1 defeats on their Championship travels most recently against Sunderland and Blackburn, those of a Potters persuasion making the trip to Wales will not be the most optimistic on Saturday, especially considering that Stoke are winless during their last five visits to the Cardiff City Stadium.

Schumacher's squad contains a number of players who can provide a magical moment at times, including summer arrival Andre Vidigal, with the Portuguese winger netting five goals in 23 second-tier appearances since swapping the Primeira Liga for the Potteries in July 2023.

Cardiff City Championship form:

L

W

L

L

L

D

Stoke City Championship form:

L

L

L

L

W

L

Team News

Cardiff are doubtful over the availability of first-choice goalkeeper Jak Alnwick, who has not featured since the 2-0 defeat against Preston due to a knock.

Mark McGuinness has been a regular figure at the heart of the Bluebirds' defence alongside Goutas since term, however the 23-year-old is now sidelined until April with a hamstring injury.

Ex-Reading attacker Yakou Meite has succumbed to the same issue as his Irish teammate, with the Ivorian not expected back in action until next month.

After his side fired a blank against Coventry last time out, Stoke boss Schumacher could hand starts to a pair of attackers making their ways back from injury, namely Vidigal and Tyrese Campbell.

Jack Bonham started in goal versus the Sky Blues due to the dead leg of Daniel Iversen, who could be back in between the sticks on Saturday afternoon.

Luke McNally missed last weekend's clash because of a thigh injury, but the centre-back might be available to partner Michael Rose or Ben Wilmot in the defence this weekend.

Cardiff City possible starting lineup:

Horvath; Romeo, Phillips, Goutas, Collins; Siopis, Wintle, Bowler, Colwill, Grant; Etete

Stoke City possible starting lineup:

Iversen; Hoever, Wilmot, Rose, Thompson; Baker, Pearson, Gooch, Cundle, Vidigal; Lowe

We say: Cardiff City 1-1 Stoke City

Cardiff's season is beginning to stagnate following a worrying run of results, and we cannot envisage a change in the Bluebirds' fortunes on Saturday.

Previews by email

Top News

28 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brentford boss Thomas Frank has predicted Bryan Mbeumo will play for a 'big club' in the future. 28 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have reportedly thrown their hat into the ring to sign Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon, but the Magpies are confident of tying him down to fresh terms. 28 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea reportedly made numerous enquiries over a move for AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan over the summer but were put off by the Rossoneri's extortionate price demands. 28 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich and England have suffered an untimely scare over the fitness of Harry Kane, who was forced off injured against Bayer Leverkusen in Saturday's Bundesliga clash. 28 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk In a match that could affect the bottom and top of the table, Kayserispor are set to host Besiktas at Kadir Has Stadium on Monday in each side's sixth Super Lig game of the season. 28 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona's winning start to the 2024-25 La Liga campaign is over, having suffered a 4-2 defeat to Osasuna in Saturday night's contest at El Sadar. 28 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool manager Arne Slot has delivered an update on the fitness of Andy Robertson following his enforced substitution in their 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. 28 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka appeared to make Premier League history in the Gunners' 4-2 win over Leicester City on Saturday, only to be denied an unprecedented record by an own-goal ruling. 28 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brentford broke a Premier League scoring record in their 1-1 draw against West Ham United. 28 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will be aiming to make it six straight wins in all competitions when they head to Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Sunday night. 28 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have gone to the summit of the Premier League after beating a plucky Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 at Molineux on Saturday afternoon. 28 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are reportedly the favourites to sign Bayern Munich attacker Kingsley Coman next year. 28 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Newcastle United are reportedly expected to renew their interest in Liverpool defender Joe Gomez in January after missing out on signing Marc Guehi during the summer transfer window. 28 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly among the clubs interested in signing AZ Alkmaar youngster Ruben van Bommel. 28 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will reportedly move for Manchester United's Diogo Dalot next summer if they are unsuccessful in their attempts to bring in Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer. 28 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Lille are reportedly preparing for several offers from Premier League clubs for former Manchester United midfielder Angel Gomes. 28 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Leandro Trossard wrote a wonderful redemption arc as Arsenal held off a valiant Leicester City side to triumph 4-2 at the Emirates Stadium in a Premier League blockbuster. 28 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Cole Palmer became the first player in Premier League history to score four goals before half-time in a single game on Saturday afternoon, as Chelsea recorded a 4-2 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion. 28 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Everton secured their first win of the 2024-25 Premier League season thanks to two superb goals from Dwight McNeil that allowed them to overturn an early Crystal Palace lead and claim a 2-1 victory. 28 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tomas Soucek cancelled out an early opener from Bryan Mbeumo as West Ham United fought back to hold Brentford to a 1-1 draw in their Premier League London derby at the Gtech Community Stadium. 28 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Only goal difference can separate Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in the middle of the Premier League standings heading into Sunday's Old Trafford blockbuster. 28 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer has set an incredible Premier League record during the first half of Saturday's encounter with Brighton & Hove Albion. 28 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are reportedly considering a move for Borussia Dortmund star Karim Adeyemi as a potential replacement for Mohamed Salah next summer. 28 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Eduardo Camavinga has been passed fit for Real Madrid's La Liga clash against Atletico Madrid on Sunday night, with the midfielder in a Los Blancos squad for the first time this season. 28 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Anthony Gordon cancelled out an opener from Josko Gvardiol, as Newcastle United came from behind to draw 1-1 with Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon. 28 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham Hotspur need to win a trophy this season more than Erik ten Hag's Manchester United, pundit Ally McCoist has exclusively told Sports Mole. 28 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has made one change to his starting lineup for Saturday's Premier League fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion. 28 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Villarreal will be aiming to make it successive victories in Spain's top flight when they welcome struggling Las Palmas to Estadio de la Ceramica on Monday night. 28 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has revealed the protocol that he has put in place for players who are not selected in a matchday squad. 28 September 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has received a two-match ban from FIFA for "offensive behaviour".