High-flying Cardiff City host Norwich City and their under-pressure manager David Wagner this weekend at the Cardiff City Stadium.
The home side come into this fixture on the back of a three-game undefeated streak and will look to continue their push towards the playoff positions. Their latest result saw them draw 0-0 away to Stoke City.
The Canaries arrive in South Wales off the back of a four-game losing streak, with only one win in their last ten in all competitions. Their last result saw them beaten 3-1 at home to Blackburn Rovers.
Let’s take a look at the potential starting eleven that Erol Bulut could field tomorrow:
GK – Jak Alnwick
Alnwick has started all but one of Cardiff’s league fixtures this season and has cemented his place in the starting lineup. The keeper is on a run of three consecutive clean sheets so will be hoping to add to it tomorrow.
RB – Perry Ng
The Liverpudlian is the first of the settled back four for the Bluebirds. He has also only missed one league fixture so far this season so will be expected to start again tomorrow.
CB – Dimitrios Goutas
The Greek defender has started every league game this season for Cardiff and this will likely continue tomorrow. He’s been solid at the back and has played his part in the three consecutive clean sheets.
CB – Mark McGuinness
The partner for Goutas at the back will be McGuiness. He’s also started every league game so far this season, with Bulut happy that he’s found his defensive partnership in the middle.
LB – Jamilu Collins
Collins has cemented the position since returning from his long-term injury. Understudy Callum O’Dowda is still sidelined, so the Nigerian is set to start again at left fullback.
CM – Manolis Siopis
The Greek midfielder has started every league fixture since joining in the summer and has been a big part of their success so far this campaign. The home fans will be hoping to see him continue running the midfield against other opposition teams in the Championship.
CM – Joe Ralls (c)
The skipper is set to start in the absence of Aaron Ramsey, who has been out injured since early October. However, it is possible he could be replaced by Ryan Wintle to freshen the legs.
CAM – Rubin Colwill
The academy graduate has impressed massively in the last two fixtures, with many fans calling for him to get an opportunity to start. A home fixture against a struggling side may be the perfect opportunity to do so, but he could make way for Callum Robinson and be used as an impact sub like in recent weeks.
RW – Josh Bowler
The Nottingham Forest loanee has started the last four fixtures for the Bluebirds and has made himself a regular in the starting lineup since returning from injury. He has only provided one goal and assist so far this season, so will be hoping to add to his numbers.
LW – Karlan Grant
Another loanee, this time from West Bromwich Albion, Grant has started every league fixture for Cardiff since arriving in the summer. He has provided one goal and two assists so far this season, so the Bluebirds supporters will also be hoping to see him add to his stats.
ST – Kion Etete
The club’s top scorer in all competitions has returned from a spell on the sidelines and could be given a start tomorrow. He had a 30-minute run-out in the draw against Stoke, so could be in line to get back his goal-scoring form before injury.
Cardiff City will be hoping to continue their great home form with another win tomorrow. It is the last fixture before the international break, so a great opportunity to go in on high spirits and a possible top-six position.
Norwich manager David Wagner will be hoping his side can get a result in South Wales to avoid being replaced. It’s fair to assume that if they don’t get a positive result tomorrow, the international break would be the perfect time to change things up at Carrow Road to try and improve their season.
