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Cardiff City vs Swansea CityDate: Sunday, November 3, 2013Venue: Cardiff City StadiumKO: 16:00
Cardiff are set to welcome neighbours Swansea to the Cardiff City Stadium for the first ever South Wales Derby to be played in the Premier League since its inception.
The league table will be forgotten for one day only as Wales’ two representatives go head-to-head for bragging rights, with Michael Laudrup’s side favourites for the win.
Team News:
Cardiff City
The Bluebirds have only one worry going into the fixture as Danish striker Andreas Cornelius faces a late fitness test on a ankle injury.
Swansea City
Likewise, Swansea are sweating on the fitness of midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, who is looking to shake off a hamstring injury in time for Sunday’s clash, but full-back Ben Davies is ruled out for several weeks yet.
Recent Form:
Both teams have struggled to maintain their form in the early part of the season with Cardiff failing to win any of their last three games, with a goalless draw against Norwich City their only point.
Swansea drew last time out against West Ham United but they have picked up four points from the last two games, courtesy of a thumping 4-0 win against Sunderland in Gus Poyet’s first game in charge.
The hosts are hovering dangerously over the relegation places and a win would help lift them into the safety of midtable. Swansea on the other hand are pushing for Europa League qualification, and victory over their rivals will help their cause greatly.
Players to Watch:
Cardiff City – Gary Medel
The Bluebirds will be under the cosh from the very beginning as the slick Swansea machine looks set to dominate possession and impose their short-passing game. With this in mind, the Chilean will be key to breaking up play with some well-timed tackles and aggressive defending.
Medel will be tasked with shutting down Swansea’s midfielders, something he has accomplished to great effect in previous games with a 77 per cent tackle success rate and an average of four defensive actions per game. However, the Chilean is not just a pure anchorman as his 91 per cent pass accuracy will be a boon to Cardiff as they look to seize their own initiative.
Swansea City – Michu
In the opposite corner, Michael Laudrup will be relying on his talisman to provide the goods once again against what will be a stubborn Cardiff side. Michu has come through for the Swans time and time again, and his creativity and goalscoring prowess means that Cardiff will have to stop this man from performing.
The Spaniard may have only scored twice in nine games so far, but he has created 16 chances for his team-mates with one assist to his name so far. Michu will certainly be having a go himself as well, as his 27 shots on goal is the most of any Swansea player.
Prediction:
Based on form and quality of players, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Swansea hold the upper hand going into the clash on Sunday. However, it’s the first South Wales derby in the Premier League and as is always the case in these sort of games, the form book gets thrown out of the window.
Laudrup’s men will dominate the possession and are sure to create many chances, but their misfiring front-line could be a chink in the armour. Cardiff on the other hand, will attempt to sit back and soak up the pressure and seek to hit their opponents on the break. This could be a very tight game, Swansea’s superior quality should see them through but the hosts could spring a surprise.
Cardiff 1-2 Swansea
