please log in to view this image Cardiff v Swansea please log in to view this image Competition - Sky Bet Championship Venue - Cardiff City Stadium Date - 16 September 2023 Kick off - 7:45pm Following their disappointing defeat against Bristol City at the Swansea.com Stadium, next up for Michael Duff’s stuttering Swansea squad is a trip up the M4 to play Cardiff City. On 2nd September, Bristol City recovered from a goal down to convincingly beat the Swans and leave the home side still searching for their first Championship victory of the season. Despite being completely outplayed in the first half, the Swans led at half time as Liam Cullen finished neatly after Charlie Patino's excellent through ball. After having three goals disallowed and missing a host of chances, the Robins eventually equalised early in the second half as Mark Sykes cut in from the right and fired in. Sykes then set up Sam Bell with a pinpoint low cross to put the visitors ahead and, although Ben Cabango headed against a post, the Swans were well beaten. The margin of victory did not reflect the gulf in class between the sides, with Swansea rarely troubling their opponents. The same afternoon, Ipswich Town's eye-catching return to the Championship continued as Freddie Ladapo's second-half double helped them fight back from 2-0 down to claim victory over Cardiff City. Wales captain Aaron Ramsey's cool first-time finish gave Cardiff the lead at the break and they doubled the advantage early in the second half thanks to Joe Ralls' precise shot. The Bluebirds had impressed up until that point and looked well placed to claim a first away league win under Erol Bulut. But Nathan Broadhead's fine strike breathed life into the home side and they quickly drew level through Ladapo's close-range finish. The winner arrived 12 minutes from time, when Cardiff goalkeeper Alex Runarsson blocked a cross only for the ball to hit Ladapo and bounce over the line. The Swans have played the Bluebirds on 74 previous occasions under the auspices of the FA/PL/EFL (i.e. excluding Welsh Cup etc), winning 33, drawing 18 and losing 23. In the corresponding fixture last season, the Swans ran out 3-2 winners thanks to a 99th minute winner by Ben Cabango: Whilst both Managers are in need of their team winning this match, equally - indeed in some respects even more so - neither can afford to lose. Duff has had the poorest start of a new Swansea manager for many a year. Whilst Bulut needs to reassure Bluebirds fans that he really is up to the job. As such the pressure is on both of them, although Duff has sought to play down the importance of the derby game: something that has raised eyebrows within the Jack Army. Indeed, his comments appear similar to those uttered in bygone years by ex-Cardiff Manager Dave Jones. Fans of both Clubs want a win against their bitter rivals, and looking at the current Championship table, victory for either is seemingly more important than ever: the Swans could be bottom come kick-off, whilst defeat for Cardiff could see them in the bottom 3. Sam Barrott will be the man in the middle on Saturday evening. It will be the second time that the Yorkshire-based official has taken charge of a Swans match this season, having also blown the whistle when Michael Duff’s side made the trip to The Hawthorns to face West Bromwich Albion in August. Barrott handed out seven yellow cards on that occasion, with four going to Swans players. Ben Cabango, Harry Darling, Nathan Wood and Ollie Cooper were all booked. Barrott will be assisted by Craig Taylor and Sam Lewis. Robert Madley will be the fourth official. Having achieved back to back doubles over their opponents during the last 2 seasons, the Swans should be travelling in confident mood: but much has changed, a new Head Coach, new back room staff, a large (for the Swans) number of new players signed and, importantly, this derby comes after 5 League matches without a win. Additionally, when you factor in that Cardiff are due a win, then I struggle to see a Swans victory on Saturday evening. The best that I can see is a 1-1 draw (which I would take here and now). However, I think that Cardiff will run out 2-1 winners. Hope I’m wrong
Thanks Taff, looks like a home win. I am willing, however, to take up religion for one weekend and pray to the football gods for a draw 1 - 1
Given how we have started the season I’ve entered into pessimistic mood, hoping for a win, can see us getting a 1-1 draw, but think the winning run will come to an end. Think you can safely say I’m sitting on the fence on this one.
Not very optomistic for the first time in years going i to this derby and away after a meh start to the season ! 3-2 us
Thanks Taff. We are good enough or we have the potential to get at least a point. Duff will have had the international break time to work with most of the squad. The issue this season is we have only played for about 60% of each match probably less in the Bristol game. If we are on our game and stay focused for the whole game, we get an early goal and Ramsey goes off after 20 mins then we could sneak all 3 points. Having said that I think our good derby run will come to an end with a 2-1 defeat.
Excellent thread as always Taff . I've gone for a home win in our prediction league but it's based on loyalty rather than science . Our new manager has a penchant for tinkering, especially when we're doing ok . So goodness knows what'll happen. Hope it's a great game and that any of you guys going have safe journeys.
excellent write up Taff and a completely accurate reflection of where both clubs are at right now. Obviously I'm hoping for a long overdue win against you guys but my head says a draw as neither side can really afford to lose. As we saw at our place last year though, you just never know what can happen in these games... I'm just praying for an outcome in our favour for a change. Hope anyone travelling has a safe trip down and back but I hope you return home in a miserable mood Hoping to get my thread up by tomorrow afternoon.....
Well it's fair to say we're a little better than last season though not necessarily over the full 90 minutes. I'm a bit worried about all the optimism to be honest. We have history of getting egg on our faces with you lot. Anyway, not long now.
