Cardiff return to league action this weekend looking to well and truly put behind them the poor performance against league leaders Reading.
Burnley are the visitors and they will be looking to get something from the game after going four games now without a win and its over two months since they last won on their travels
Vital Quotes:
Steve Cotterill
‘We want to come away from there making sure that Cardiff haven’t gone above us in the league and that Ade is still top goalscorer in the Championship.’
Cardiff City Team News:
Cardiff will be able to apply the services of newly acquired signing, striker Steven Thompson from Rangers and Riccardo Scimeca who arrived today from West Bromwich Albion.
Also coming back to the side is Jason Koumas who couldn?t play in the game against Arsenal because West Brom didn?t want him cup tied.
Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu who arrived from League two Darlington, looks like taking a place on the bench.
Jeff Whitley is unavailable through suspension, Glenn Loovens and Neil Ardley both have muscular injuries while Willie Boland could be out again after missing the trip toHighbury with a leg sprain.
Player to watch: Steve Thompson
A fresh start for Thompson should be just what his career needs, he can get the goals and can pick out good positions making it easier for his team mates to pick him out with the final ball.
Burnley Team News:
The Clarets will be able to field Gifton Noel-Williams who is back from an eye injury, he will start on the bench.
Fractured finger victim Frank Sinclair has been given the go ahead after seeing a specialist.
Goalkeeper Lee Grant, who has served as back-up for Brian Jensen, is set to return to Derby after the clash with the Bluebirds
Player to watch: Ade Akinbiyi
Although he hasn?t had his name on the scoresheet for three games, you can never pay this striker too much attention. Big, strong and quick with an eye for goal, that?s why he has hit 14 so far this season
Match Facts & Stats
When the two teams met earlier in the season it was one of the most exciting games so far with a final scoreline of 3-3. Bluebird ywice came from behind before taking the lead through a Darren Purse penalty. But as the game moved into stoppage time up popped James O’Connor to send Cardiff home with just a point instead of the three.
Less than a year ago the two sides met at Ninian Park and Burnley were easily beaten 2-0 with goals from Richard Langley and Graham Kavanagh.
When you look at Burnley?s recent away form, you cant help thinking we should get the three points tomorrow, they have only managed two draws from the last six games, they have shipped in 11 goals and scored just four in the same period.
Cardiff?s home form is a little more impressive with two wins, three draws and just one defeat in the last six. Goals have been a bit thin on the ground though we have scored and conceded just five.
Ref Watch:
Darren Drysdale.
So far Drysdale has been in charge of 21 games, he has in that time shown 78 yellow cards and six red.
This is the first time he has taken charge of a Cardiff game.
Match Prediction:
Home win. Cardiff will be too strong for Burnley at home
Next Fixtures:
21/01/2006: Leicester City Away ? (15:00)
31/01/2006: Millwall Home – (15:00)
‘I’ve got one more year left with Feyenoord, but I like Cardiff very much and I hope my future is here, I prefer the British way to the Dutch way. It’s more my style of playing and I’m really enjoying it. That’s why I made the decision to come here, because it’s more my style. I knew what British football was like because I’ve played against British teams.’