' Bristol City Vs Cardiff City: Match Preview '

Bristol City Vs Cardiff City: Match Preview

March 3, 2016

By Jamie Kemble

Bristol City Vs Cardiff City: Match Preview



Date and Time: Saturday 5th March (12.00)

Venue: Ashton Gate

Referee: Grahan Scott

Cardiff travel to Ashton Gate to face ‘Severnside’ rivals Bristol City in one of the two Championship early kick-offs. The Bluebirds once again go in search of back-to-back win,something they have only achieved once this season while Bristol look to extend the space between themselves and the dreaded drop.

The Bluebirds come into this one on the back of a win after picking up three points against in-from Preston North End last weekend. The win moved Cardiff up to seventh and to within three points of the play-offs while putting distance between themselves and Preston.

Slade’s men remain in good form with just two losses in eight league games, the two losses coming against two of the Championship’s top three in Hull and Middlesbrough.

Bristol City also find themselves in good form after appointing former player Lee Johnson, formerly of League One Barnsley. The Robins have won four of their last five games which has helped them move eight points clear of the Championship’s relegation zone.



In their outing, Bristol came from behind against Nottingham Forest to win at the City Ground with Kodjia and Flint getting the two goals. The win got Johnson’s men back to winning ways after they were beaten 4-0 at home by Brighton.

When the two teams met earlier in the season, Cardiff were all to disappointing in a goalless draw at the Cardiff City Stadium. David Marshall put on a man of the match performance to keep the Robins out and Sammy Ameobi missed a golden chance to win the game at the death.

Cardiff have won three of the last three meetings between the two clubs but lost in their last visit to Ashton Gate back in 2012.

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Bristol City head coach Lee Johnson has told the official club website that captain Korey Smith is an injury doubt for this weekend’s Severnside Derby at home to Cardiff City. He has a 50/50 chance of recovering from a foot injury which kept him out of their previous game.

Speaking on opponents Cardiff, Johnson accepts that they have ‘Premier League quality’ players but despite that fact, he is anticipating a tight encounter at Ashton Gate.

The former Barnsley boss providing a wide range of team news ahead of Saturday lunchtime’s game. Revealing that although Smith is a doubt, he could return and others are progressing well too, including Luke Ayling,

“Luke Ayling has been doing well – I’ve been pleased with him.
“He’s 100 per cent in contention. He’s looked good and he’s an infectious, bubbly character to have around the place.
“Obviously we know of his quality and he’ll be pushing for that right-back spot, or even a midfield one.”
Johnson revealed that Mark Little is fully-fit after suffering from a serious of niggling injuries and knocks in recent times. He should retain his place at right back, with Ayling unlikely to be thrown straight back into the team. Young striker Arnold Garita is also making good progress after undergoing a knee operation.
In more comments ahead of the game, Johnson reflected on his past experiences of this fixture as a player, gave a crying call for the fans and assessed the relegation situation in the Championship,
“I’ve had good and bad moments in this fixture. I remember my dad tripping (Michael) Chopra. I also scored in a 3-0 win…a 40-yard tap-in.
“I’m sure the crowd will be whipped up…right up for it.
“We’re not looking at the teams below us like a Jack Russell snapping at our heels. We’re looking above us.”
The Robins will jump up two places with a victory over the Bluebirds, leapfrogging Leeds United and Huddersfield Town for a few hours at least. Cardiff would go level on points with Sheffield Wednesday in the final play off position with a three-point haul, again for a few hours at least.