Manchester City might not be the greatest team in Premier League after all. Although no one can dispute their quality, there are some problems in this team, as shown in the Champions League defeat to Lyon earlier this week. Their defense was disastrous and that’s exactly what Cardiff will try to take advantage of on Saturday afternoon at the Cardiff City Stadium in the Welsh capital. Can they make their chances count or have the Citizens learned their lesson? Maybe this Cardiff vs Manchester City match preview has the answer to those questions!

Cardiff

The number 1 favorite for going back to the Championship is hoping that their players’ physical prowess might be enough to cause an upset on Saturday. Sure, they’re taking on shaky Manchester City, but nevertheless, the quality is on the side of the visiting team. Neil Warnock will have to prepare his boys really good in order get anything out of this match.

What gives them hope is that they did manage to score twice against Arsenal and once against Chelsea. And with a little help from the stands, they might do the same against the title holders. But, can they keep their net safe? They kept a clean sheet in the first two rounds of the season, but that’s when they played against Newcastle and Huddersfield, teams that just can’t compare to Man City.

The only sensible scenario seems to be an ultra-defensive tactic. Cardiff need to defend with all they got and look for their chances by sending long balls to the strikers and hope that Man City defenders will once again have a bad day.

This is actually a very wise idea, considering that Cardiff have a couple of very strong and tall attackers, who could probably easily win aerial duels against City’s center backs. Kenneth Zohore, for example, is more than 10 centimeters taller and almost 20 kilos heavier than Nicolas Otamendi.

Manchester City

The people who are to blame for the loss in the Champions League on Wednesday are Man City’s defenders. Laporte, Stones, Delph, and even Walker had a terrible game and their mistakes cost their team the points. Of course, I shouldn’t undermine the quality of Lyon attackers, particularly Nabil Fekir who put on a vintage performance.

Of course, Cardiff do not have Fekir, so Man City don’t need to worry too much about defending. Instead, they need to focus on the attack. A big win on Saturday would surely do well for their shaken confidence.

And winning big is something they like doing. They already destroyed Huddersfield this season 6:1 and a similar scenario might happen this time. They surely have the quality for that and unless Neil Warnock’s boys outperform, Man City should win this easily.







Team News

Cardiff absentees:

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing (injury)

Josh Murphy (doubtful)

Aron Gunnarsson (doubtful)

Manchester City absentees:

Danilo (injury)

Kevin De Bruyne (injury)

Eliaquim Mangala (injury)

Benjamin Mendy (doubtful)

Possible Lineups

Cardiff

Etheridge – Bamba, Morrison, Ecuele-Manga, Bennett – Arter, Ralls, Camarasa, Hoilett – Ward, Zohore

Manchester City

Ederson – Stones, Laporte, Otamendi – Fernandinho, Silva, Gundogan, Walker, Delph – Gabriel Jesus, Aguero

Cardiff vs Manchester City Match Prediction

Manchester City need to win this and I’m sure they’re gonna do it. And probably with a big goal difference. They have the manpower, as well as the motivation to make a big win on Saturday. But, will Cardiff be able to hit back and score? I think they might, but not enough to salvage any points.

Cardiff vs Manchester City Betting Tips

Manchester City @1.16 (bet365)

Over 3.5 Goals @2.18 (Unibet)





