Cardiff City chasing fifth win in six league games in the midst of Storm Eunice
CARDIFF City are set to take on Blackpool this Saturday, despite a red warning for wind in South Wales.
Both clubs are hoping the game will go ahead as the forecast for Saturday looks more favourable.
But Storm Eunice’s effect on transport could hinder travel for Blackpool fans down to the Welsh capital.
“Hopefully the storm will have passed by Friday afternoon and with it not necessarily affecting the north of the UK, I expect many will continue to travel,” said Joel Highfield, a Blackpool fan living in Neath.
“It will be a shame if it does affect the travelling fans because we do travel very well and make a lot of noise,” he added.
Cardiff announced on Thursday that the stadium including the club superstore, would be closed today.
City have been in great form of late with four wins from five games in the Championship, scoring 10 goals in the process.
Key to this turn in fortunes are manager Steve Morison’s January transfer window signings, including strikers Jordan Hugill and Uche Ikpeazu.
The attacking duo have already scored four between them for the Bluebirds and will look to dd to this tally on Saturday.
Blackpool’s recent form is far from stellar, having only won two matches from their previous five in the league.
In addition, the Tangerines have won just three times away from home this season, failing to win any of their last seven away games since beating Sheffield United in October.
Steve Morison will most likely be without midfielder Ruben Colwill who is a major doubt with a foot injury.
Tangerines’ boss Neil Critchley also has injury problems in his squad with key player Marvin Ekpiteta sustaining a hamstring injury against Bournemouth last weekend.
Blackpool will also be without centre-back Richard Keogh who has a calf issue, so a first start could be handed to 21-year-old Oliver Casey.
The last meeting between the two, in August, ended with a 2-0 win for the Bluebirds thanks to goals from Leandro Bacuna and Kieffer Moore.
Blackpool’s last win against Cardiff came way back in October 2014 when they triumphed 1-0 with a François Zoko goal.
The teams have faced each other 72 times, with the Tangerines coming out on top with 34 wins compared to Cardiff’s 18.
City supporter Connor Davies, 22, said: “I think we will win 2-1 with Cardiff goals from Hugill and Ralls and one from Bowler for Blackpool.
“It doesn’t seem as important as the last two weeks of games have been where we’ve picked up some great results, but another three points would be great for us.
“Steve Morison really is working his magic and got the boys fighting for the badge once
again, something that was evidently missing in the Mick McCarthy days.”
(Photo: BBC Sport)
Tangerines fan Joel Highfield said: “We’re in good form, but so are Cardiff when playing at home. We were very unlucky last week to concede two late goals to Bournemouth and lose but when we play like we are doing now I just feel like we can beat anyone in this division.
“Josh Bowler is probably the most in form player in this division at the moment and Gary Madine will also be keen to score against his old club! I’ll say 2-1 to Blackpool with Madine the goal machine and CJ Hamilton to score.”
Neath resident, Mr Highfield, relishes it when his team plays away versus Welsh opposition.
“I love doing Cardiff and Swansea away games and I enjoy knowing I’m in for a bad week following if we lose,” he said.
Predicted Cardiff City line-up: Smithies, Ng, Flint, McGuinness; Drameh, Doyle, Wintle, Ralls, Bagan, Hugill, Ikpeazu.
Predicted Blackpool line-up: Grimshaw, Lawrence-Gabriel, Casey, Thorniley, Sterling, Bowler, Stewart, Connolly, Hamilton, Lavery, Madine.
- Should the weather not affect the game, kick off is set for 3pm at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday.
