Swansea v Cardiff Competition - Sky Bet Championship Venue - Swansea.com Stadium Date - 16 March 2024 Kick off - 12:30pm Following their disappointing 0-1 defeat away at the hands of Bristol City, next up for Luke Williams’ inconsistent Swans is arguably the biggest game of the season against Cardiff - I say arguably the biggest game not just because it is the South Wales derby (with Cardiff in with a very good chance of their first ever League double), but because of the potential impact the result will have on the Swans’ season: victory should help secure Championship football for next season - the feelgood factor should mean that the Swans will (comfortably) secure the points needed to ensure survival, whilst on the other hand, defeat would largely consign the Swans to an end of season dogfight for survival, with the squad’s confidence ‘shattered’, whilst the Jack Army would undoubtedly raise (by several notches) their levels of disdain for the American owners. Last Sunday, centre-back Rob Dickie headed his fifth Championship goal of the season to give Bristol City a precious 1-0 victory over the Swans - the tall defender glanced home Joe Williams' chip into a crowded penalty area on 73 minutes to give the Robins bragging rights over the Swans in a largely forgettable game of few chances. The Swans dominated possession for long periods without forcing a save from home goalkeeper Max O'Leary and could have no real complaints at the outcome. The result left the Swans just five points above the Championship relegation zone, while Bristol City now have a nine-point cushion to the bottom three. The previous afternoon, Ipswich Town missed the chance to reclaim the second automatic promotion spot in the Championship as Cardiff scored two injury-time goals to snatch a stunning victory. Cardiff started strongly and should have taken an early lead but Perry Ng's scuffed close-range effort was cleared off the line by Kieffer Moore. Subdued during the first half, Ipswich looked more like their usual fluent, attacking selves after the interval with substitute Omari Hutchinson forcing Ethan Horvath into a good save. The visitors probed patiently as the match wore on, gradually taking control before former Cardiff striker Moore fired into the far corner with a powerful left-footed finish. Just as Ipswich looked to be heading level on points with Championship leaders Leicester City, Ryan Wintle scored with a deflected shot from close range five minutes into added time. Then five minutes later, substitute Callum O'Dowda volleyed in from Famara Diedhiou's flick-on at a corner to spark ecstatic celebrations at Cardiff City Stadium. The result left Cardiff in 11th place in the Championship on 53pts, 4 places and 10pts above their South Wales rivals. The Swans have played the Bluebirds on 75 previous occasions (in matches under ‘English’ auspices), winning 33, drawing 18 and losing 24. In the corresponding match last season, the Swans ran out 2-0 winners with goals from Cooper and Obafemi after Cardiff had Robinson sent off early doors: The match on Saturday will have David Webb as the man in the middle. It will be the third time that the Lancashire-based official has taken charge of a Swans match this season. He oversaw the 1-1 draw with Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium and the 4-0 home defeat to Leeds United last month. Across those games, he handed out nine yellow cards. Five of these went to Swansea players with Josh Tymon, Nathan Wood, Joe Allen, Yannick Bolasie, and Harry Darling having their names taken. Webb is vastly experienced having been added to the National List of Referees in 2008. He took charge of his first Swans match in 2011. It will be the 19th time he has taken charge of a Swans game in the Championship, but only his fifth visit to SA1. So far this season, Webb has overseen 27 matches – mostly in the Championship – handing out a total of 108 yellow cards and one red. On Saturday, he will be assisted by Rob Smith and Bhupinder Singh Gill. Andy Davies will be the fourth official. Earlier in the season the Swans were well beaten (0-2) at the Cardiff City Stadium when the team gave what can only be described as a passionless and disjointed performance. That display followed some inane comments from the then Swans’ boss Michael Duff who downplayed the importance of the fixture - claiming it was only another 3pts on offer. That sowed seeds of doubt amongst the Jack Army and allegedly discontentment in the changing room. Either way, I’m sure that the team will turn up in respect of commitment and effort - however, I’m not sure we are good enough to prevent Cardiff securing a fifth consecutive Championship victory and their first ever League double. I think that Cardiff will win 0-2 - I sincerely hope that I’m wrong but I think that we have a leaky defence and a blunt attack. (Lose and I’m cancelling the Sunday and Monday papers, as well as avoiding the TV and Social Media )
Despite our past five results, we're still pretty crap. Definitely improving but still crap. You guys also have a nasty habit of pulling something out of the hat so I don't think it'll be easy either way. We shall see. Nice thread Taff
Thanks Taff, luckily I am out and about on Saturday as I hate watching this match Hopefully we will turn up but I can't see us winning it. So it's a 1-1 draw for me.
Harry Darling returns to the Swansea City starting line-up for this afternoon’s south Wales derby against Cardiff City. The defender takes the place of Ben Cabango, who misses out through injury, in the solitary change to the Swans side from last weekend’s fixture at Bristol City. Carl Rushworth continues in goal, with Darling joining Nathan Wood, Kyle Naughton and Josh Tymon in the Swansea defence. Captain Matt Grimes and Joe Allen are paired together in midfield, with Jamie Paterson operating ahead of them. Ronald and Przemysław Płacheta occupy the flanks and provide support for Liam Cullen, who leads the line for the hosts. Swansea City: Carl Rushworth, Harry Darling, Joe Allen, Matt Grimes (captain), Jamie Paterson, Josh Tymon, Przemysław Płacheta, Liam Cullen, Nathan Wood, Kyle Naughton, Ronald. Substitutes: Andy Fisher, Josh Key, Jay Fulton, Jerry Yates, Jamal Lowe, Charlie Patino, Ollie Cooper, Azeem Abdulai, Filip Lissah. Cardiff City: Ethan Horvath, Dimitrios Goutas, Ryan Wintle (captain), Nathaniel Phillips, Josh Bowler, David Turnbull, Karlan Grant, Yakou Meite, Manolis Siopsis, Josh Wilson-Esbrand. Perry Ng. Substitutes: Matt Turner, Mahlon Romeo, Joe Ralls, Aaron Ramsey, Callum O'Dowda, Jamilu Collins, Famara Diedhiou, Rubin Colwill, Ollie Tanner.
Must admit, I don’t really enjoy these matches. They are great to win but terrible to lose. Incredible highs and woeful lows.
Looks like they've put Ramsey on the bench just to inject passion, he wasn't expected to figure. If we don't see passion from our players then it could get ugly in the stands.
