After international week, Cardiff City welcome fellow-promotion winners Fulham to the Cardiff City Stadium in another six-pointer. Fulham, who spent four hundred million pounds this summer*, will be looking to kick-start their season after a series of poor results, while Cardiff, who finished above Fulham last season, will be hoping for their first win of the season – and some much needed cheer.
Cardiff City vs. Fulham
Premier League
Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff
20th October 2018, 3pm (BST)
Referee: Kevin Friend
Expected XI
And three things to look out for…
Gunnar’s return. Gunnarsson signing for another year felt important and he played well at the World Cup. But he hasn’t got going this season and has been one game away from a return for a month or so now. Could this be it? With Ralls out, shoring up the middle of the park with Gunnar might allow Victor more freedom to push forward. He’s certainly the most creative of that middle three and his willingness to support the wingers is vital in freeing up Murphy and Hoilett.
http://gty.im/1006730532
Forward thinking. Madine and Ward are both out – a virus and an injury respectively – meaning we only have Zohore and Reid as our realistic forward options. So I’m sure Paterson will get the nod up top. He did well against Tottenham, holding the line himself, but he needs support. Often he was isolated, winning headers but no-one getting beyond him. In this case, your target man is only as effective as those around him and a leaky Fulham defence might give us the best opportunity to push forward.
Barter7 (shout out to Young Thug). Harry Arter loves a tackle. I’m sure, given the opportunity, he would tackle himself. He loves them so much he’s managed to pick up four bookings so far this season and is now just one away from a ban. So the question is; when does he get the booking? Liverpool away is our next game after Fulham and, realistically, we haven’t got much hope of a point there. So does Arter take the tactical yellow? With Warnock’s pre-game comments, a cheap yellow for Arter could face some scrutiny…
http://gty.im/1047740582
Fulham players to watch out for
Fulham spent a lot in the summer and I had earmarked Cairney for this section (he just makes them tick), but he’s injured. With names like Mitrovic and Schurlle still in there, Fulham have some players to be wary of.
Mitro has picked up where he left off last season, with five goals already this season. He seems to have found his home in West London and the team plays to his strengths. He’s good in the air, good on the ground and if he gets the ball in the box, we’ll need to be wise to him.
http://gty.im/1047249052
Andre Schurlle is no stranger to the CCS, playing there for Chelsea in the season we don’t talk about. I still can’t believe a player of his talent isn’t at a top six Premier League club – no offence to Fulham. The World Cup winner is a class act and will be a focal point for the way Fulham play. We’ll need to be on our toes in the middle of the park.
https://twitter.com/cardiffcityfc/status/1053317416946749441?s=12
Best case result?
Fulham have conceded more goals than us and haven’t won in five games – having only won once all season. Admittedly that’s one more win than us, but our recent performances have been markedly improved. Burnley was three points dropped and if we’d kept 10 men against Spurs, I do think we could have got a point. We’re due a game where it all clicks and it could be this one. If we can find a clinical edge, we could win this 3-1.
https://twitter.com/cardiffcitytv/status/1052973358692872193?s=21
Worst case result?
Fulham aren’t a bad team. They played silky football last season and were worthy winners in the play-offs. Form is temporary and I’m sure the international break was a welcome rest from league football and a chance to hit the reset button. Yes, they have a few players missing, but their squad has depth and players will be willing to show just what they can do to arrest the slide. 2-1 Fulham.
*We know it was £100m really.