MATCH THREAD: “ CARDIFF CITY v WOLVES “ MATCH THREAD

CARDIFF CITY v WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Friday 6th April, 7.45pm
Sky Bet Championship
Cardiff City Stadium


Changes to the side that drew with @SUFC_tweets - @Pelts_86, @yanicw33 & Bryson come in!


Wolves have sold their full allocation of 3,000

Crowd looking over 30,000

Tickets still available


Team News

Cardiff may remain unchanged following the last-gasp draw at Sheffield United. Joe Ralls could return after being ruled out since the end of February – he hasn’t featured since the Severnside Derby victory over Bristol City in the Welsh Capital.

Ruben Neves returns from suspension for the visitors. Expect Wolves’ top scorer Jota to lead the line for Espirito’s men.






The early team news

Here’s the early Cardiff City versus Wolves team news then, with both managers facing big calls over central midfielders.

Marko Grujic may drop to the bench if Joe Ralls is deemed fit enough to play for the Bluebirds, while Wolves are expected to bring back Ruben Neves for Alfred N’Diaye in their midfield.




Thursday 5th April 2018


Injuries?

Neil Warnock:

"Jazz will be another couple of weeks, he’s had an operation having his plate out which has caused a problem. But he’s feeling a lot better and might be able to help us in those last few games. Joe was springing around so we don’t know about him at the yet. We’ll have a look at him later today. Connolly is almost fit and back in the pack."


Tuesday 3rd March 2018

Neil Warnock has revealed Joe Ralls has stepped up his recovery from injury ahead of Cardiff City's huge top-of-the-table clash with Wolves on Friday night.



I can’t get to Cardiff City Stadium, is the match on TV?

Yes, the match is live on Sky Sports.

About Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Wolverhampton, West Midlands. The club, founded in 1877, was originally known as St. Luke's F.C., and since 1889 has played at Molineux. Wolves currently competes in the Championship, the second highest tier of English football, having been promoted from League One in 2014 after a solitary season at that level. Since 1888, Wolves has spent 63 seasons – or 64 if the abortive 1939–40 season is included – in the highest tier of English professional football, including four seasons in the Premier League. In the half century between 1932 and 1982, Wolves only spent three seasons (1965–66, 1966–67 & 1976–77) outside the top flight of English football (at that time the Football League First Division), and won the League title three times (1953–54, 1957–58 & 1958–59). From 1906-07 (the club's first season not in the top flight of English football), Wolves has spent 50 seasons in the second tier (24 of these occurring since 1989), four seasons in the third tier and two seasons (1986–87 & 1987–88) in the fourth tier. Wolves last played in the Premier League between 2009 and 2012

Historically, Wolves has been highly influential, most notably as one of the founder members of the Football League in 1888, and for playing an instrumental role in the establishment of the European Cup, later to become the UEFA Champions League, in the 1950s. Having won the FA Cup twice before the outbreak of the First World War (including once as a Second Division club in 1908), Wolves developed into one of England's leading clubs under the management of ex-player Stan Cullis in the seasons following the Second World War, going on to win the Football League three times, finish as runners-up three times and win the FA Cup twice more, all between 1949 and 1960. It was during this period that the European Cup competition was established by UEFA, after the English press declared Wolves "Champions of the World" following their victories against numerous top European and World club sides in some of British football's first live televised games.

Wolves has yet to match the successes of the Stan Cullis era subsequently, although, under Bill McGarry, the club contested the first-ever UEFA Cup final in 1972, and won the Football League Cup in 1974, a trophy it lifted again six years later under John Barnwell. However, financial mismanagement in the 1980s led to two bankruptcies and the club's very existence coming under threat, as well as three consecutive relegations from Football League First Division to Football League Fourth Division in the period from 1984 to 1986. The club's revival began in the 1986–87 season and back-to-back promotions, first as Fourth Division Champions and then as Third Division Champions under manager Graham Turner (with the invaluable input of club record goalscorer Steve Bull) saw Wolves finish the 'Eighties back in the Football League Second Division, having won the Football League Trophy along the way.

Despite the financial backing of then-owner Sir Jack Hayward during the 1990s, Wolves were unable to regain a place in the top flight of English football until 2003, when manager Dave Jones ended their nineteen-year exile, although only for a solitary Premier League season. The club returned to Premier League level when manager Mick McCarthy led them back as Football League Championship Champions in 2009, but McCarthy's dismissal in 2012 preceded relegation back to the Championship after three seasons. The following season, 2012–13, saw two further managers dismissed as the club then suffered a second successive relegation, ending up in League One. However, in the following season Wolves gained promotion as League One Champions with a record Tier 3 points tally, and the club has resided in the Championship since 2014. In July 2016, Wolverhampton Wanderers was taken over by the Chinese investment group Fosun International.

Previous Meeting

We beat Wolves 2-1 in August, thanks to goals from Joe Ralls and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing. Wolves had equalised at one point through Leo Bonatini.

Team News - Predicted Line-Ups

Cardiff City: Etheridge, Manga, Morrison, Bamba, Bennett, Gunnarsson, Grujic, Paterson, Mendez-Laing, Hoilett, Zohore

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Ruddy, Bennett, Coady, Boly, Doherty, Saiss, Neves, Douglas, Costa, Afobe, Cavaleiro

Form - Last Three Games

Sheffield United 1-1 Cardiff City
Cardiff City 3-1 Burton Albion
Brentford 1-3 Cardiff City

Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-2 Hull City
Middlesbrough 1-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-1 Burton Albion

Match Odds

Cardiff City - 9/5
Wolverhampton Wanderers - 6/4
Draw - 9/4

Predictions

Post your predictions below

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2-1 City.

City 3 Wolves 1

Cardiff City 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Hoilett; Neves

2-1 bluebirds

3-2. after Wolves get another red card

More cards than Clinton's.

A score draw.

Cardiff City v Wolves injury bulletin: Latest on Joe Ralls and rest of the Bluebirds stars


Tuesday 3rd March 2018

Neil Warnock has revealed Joe Ralls has stepped up his recovery from injury ahead of Cardiff City's huge top-of-the-table clash with Wolves on Friday night.

The midfielder has not featured for the Bluebirds since the 1-0 win over Severnside rivals Bristol City at the back end of February while he also sat out the 1-1 draw with Warnock's former employers Sheffield United on Monday night.

But speaking after Anthony Pilkington's injury time strike rescued a point for the Bluebirds, Warnock revealed that Ralls looks set to be in contention when Championship leaders Wolves visit the Welsh capital later this week, as well as praising the efforts of Aron Gunnarsson after he completed 90 minutes against the Blades following a lengthy injury lay-off.

"Lets relax first and enjoy a few days of rest," said the Yorkshireman.

"It's not just Wolves, we've got Aston Villa next week aswell.

"We've got lads not involved and some lads coming back for Friday night so we're looking forward to that now.

"Ralls was sprinting today. Bryson, we didn't really want to risk him if Gunnarsson was playing but he'll have another two or three days training.

"It hasn't done Gunnars any harm having 90 minutes. I asked him at half time if he could last with us only having one midfield player on the bench. And he said he could.

"And the next minute he made a great run when he should have scored. That was a great run from Gunnars, but it took him 20 minutes to recover, but he'll be alright with a few days of training."

The Bluebirds are now eight points clear of third-placed Fulham while they have a 10 point buffer over Aston Villa who are in fourth.

And despite seeing his side's eight-game winning streak come to an end at Sheffield United, Warnock admits the point against the Blades - which stretched Cardiff's unbeaten league run to 13 games - sent out yet another statement to his side's promotion rivals.

"If you came into our dressing room you'd think we'd won the World Cup," added the Cardiff boss.

"It's fantastic for team spirit. We always know if we can hang in them games, we can score.

"It's great to know with seven games to go we've got that in our locker. Everybody says we've got difficult games but I think Sheffield United will know they've been in a difficult game tonight and I think the other teams will know."

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The remaining fixtures

Cardiff City: Wolves (H), Aston Villa (A), Norwich (A), Nottingham Forest (H), Derby (A), Hull (A), Reading (H).

Fulham: Leeds (H), Sheffield Wednesday (A), Reading (H), Brentford (H), Millwall (A), Sunderland (H), Birmingham (A).

Aston Villa: Reading (H), Norwich (A), Cardiff City (H), Leeds (H), Ipswich (A), Derby (H), Millwall (A).

This is the biggest game we've had for a couple of years, a win would be MASSIVE!

Hope for 30k+ crowd

25000 sold, looking in stadium on etiketing , no more than 400 left in main bowl, new stand lower looks sold but they have left 1 block in the upper and lower which is on top of the wolves fans, i say 2-2 draw and a 30,669 crowd

Dean in charge for Wolves

Referee Mike Dean will be in charge of Cardiff v Wolves this Friday.

The gap separating Cardiff City and third place in the Championship has been narrowed down to five points after last night's results, but the Bluebirds are nevertheless still in the driving seat when it comes to the automatic promotion race.

Fulham maintained their hopes of catching City with a 2-0 win over Leeds at Craven Cottage, while Aston Villa kept their unlikely bid for second place alive with a 3-0 victory over Reading.

Interestingly, leaders Wolves slipped up after being held at home to a 2-2 draw to Hull City, meaning that should the Bluebirds win on Friday night, it would cut the lead at the top of the table to just three points.

The showdown at the Cardiff City Stadium has all the hallmarks of a potentially season-defining encounter, with over 27,000 tickets already sold for the big night.

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2-1 City

Would take a draw now

I reckon a surprise starting line up from Neil

Even though the game is not yet sold out , I have have been told yesterday (wednesday) that we can't buy a family ticket. So we won't be going unfortunately. Been to 12 home games and sadly can't get a ticket. Will be watching on sky instead.

Even though the game is not yet sold out , I have have been told yesterday (wednesday) that we can't buy a family ticket. So we won't be going unfortunately. Been to 12 home games and sadly can't get a ticket. Will be watching on sky instead.

You can only get a family ticket for the family stand mate, for which that sold out a while ago for this fixture. It'll probably be like that from now on I'd expect and if - IF we go up it'll be the same in the PL. I'd get in there as soon as the tickets go on sale next time to avoid disappointment but you can still buy tickets for upper ninian and I think kids tickets are relatively cheap. Shame you can't go as I know you've been to quite a few. Will still be good on sky. Come on bluebirds!

Even though the game is not yet sold out , I have have been told yesterday (wednesday) that we can't buy a family ticket. So we won't be going unfortunately. Been to 12 home games and sadly can't get a ticket. Will be watching on sky instead.

Get up in the new stand mate. I appreciate it may be a little more expensive but it’s a great view of the game, so much better than the family.

The atmosphere will be electric surely you and your family don't want to miss this one get up on the upper tier treat the family

It will be ok next season as i have bought season tikets. I asked for alternative seating and was told that there wasn't 7 seats together. In which case it just wouldn't work for us. Very disappointing but it's the way it goes. We have only been following the bluebirds since last August so I guess those who have been fans longer will benefit on this occasion and I can't complain. We will watch on sky. And then be at villa

Not 7 seats together? I looked on eticketing this morning and there were 7 seats together in the upper ninian mate. Don't know what they are upto but there's definitely 7 seats together. Even if you don't get 7 together you would have no problem in getting 3 or 4 in one row and 3 directly behind. It'll still be a good game on sky. I can't imagine it has anything to do with the length you've supported the club - believe me I've supported and been going for years and years and I'd wouldn't get any preferential treatment above you if your a st holder in your 1st year Anyways mate whether you go or not hope you enjoy the match either way and more importantly we need a win to take the pressure off ourselves. COME ON CITY! Enjoy the match

I don't mean the club is stopping us because of the length of time supporting them. I mean there will defo be fans in the family stand who have been fans longer than us and I don't mind missing out to them as much as it is a dssapointment. I'm going to call at 10 and see what we can do. There's defo 7 seats together you say???

Injuries?

NEIL WARNOCK:

"Jazz will be another couple of weeks, he’s had an operation having his plate out which has caused a problem. But he’s feeling a lot better and might be able to help us in those last few games. Joe was springing around so we don’t know about him at the yet. We’ll have a look at him later today. Connolly is almost fit and back in the pack."

I don't mean the club is stopping us because of the length of time supporting them. I mean there will defo be fans in the family stand who have been fans longer than us and I don't mind missing out to them as much as it is a dssapointment. I'm going to call at 10 and see what we can do. There's defo 7 seats together you say???

Ok no worries on eticketing I have checked and there are rows of more than 7 seats together. That's if you buy online so I'm sure the ticket offic could easily sell you 7 together no problem. We still have a few thousand tickets left! There are many blocks in the upper ninian with empty seats at present. Of course the cost is much more without a family ticket - It'll be the atmosphere of the season mate though - I promise you that!

For the pre Warnock era the couple of years before him were dire down here - these are the good times whatever happened this season go up or not these are definitely the good times!

I don't mean the club is stopping us because of the length of time supporting them. I mean there will defo be fans in the family stand who have been fans longer than us and I don't mind missing out to them as much as it is a dssapointment. I'm going to call at 10 and see what we can do. There's defo 7 seats together you say???

If you do manage to get tickets and go it's going to be mental down there. We are leaving 40 mins earlier than normal. There will be long cues at ticket collection points and the turnstiles. Went down the ticket office today and there was a small steady cue - people renewing and buying tickets for wolves. It's going to be EPIC!

It will be ok next season as i have bought season tikets. I asked for alternative seating and was told that there wasn't 7 seats together. In which case it just wouldn't work for us. Very disappointing but it's the way it goes. We have only been following the bluebirds since last August so I guess those who have been fans longer will benefit on this occasion and I can't complain. We will watch on sky. And then be at villa

Feel for you mate... sensible poster who's become a good city fan

It will be ok next season as i have bought season tikets. I asked for alternative seating and was told that there wasn't 7 seats together. In which case it just wouldn't work for us. Very disappointing but it's the way it goes. We have only been following the bluebirds since last August so I guess those who have been fans longer will benefit on this occasion and I can't complain. We will watch on sky. And then be at villa

Feel for you mate... sensible poster who's become a good city fan

Thank you very much. Looks as if i may have sorted it.

It will be ok next season as i have bought season tikets. I asked for alternative seating and was told that there wasn't 7 seats together. In which case it just wouldn't work for us. Very disappointing but it's the way it goes. We have only been following the bluebirds since last August so I guess those who have been fans longer will benefit on this occasion and I can't complain. We will watch on sky. And then be at villa

Feel for you mate... sensible poster who's become a good city fan

Thank you very much. Looks as if i may have sorted it.

Happy days! Enjoy - hopefully it will be like the old days and you'll see a real atmosphere