MATCH THREAD: " STOKE CITY v CARDIFF CITY " MATCH THREAD

STOKE CITY v CARDIFF CITY
Tuesday 8th December, 7.45pm
Sky Bet Championship
Bet365 Stadium 


Match to be played in front of no supporters, for information on how to watch the match on TV or to stream it - see below


STOKE CITY:

10 first team players out injured / 6 Under 21's playing.




CCFC:

No new injuries


Filip Benkovic is back in contention for the Bluebirds and will once again be sub.

The Croatia centre back, who is yet to appear for Cardiff since joining on loan from Leicester.

Benkovic's absence in midweek saw the return of Greg Cunningham, who made the bench for the 2nd time v Watford , so he will also be battling it out for a place on the bench.

Lee Tomlin, Isaac Vassell and Jordi Osei-Tutu are all still the long-term absentees.



How can I watch this match on TV?

This match is live on Cardiff City TV and Sky Sports Arena.

About Stoke City

Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. Founded as Stoke Ramblers in 1863, the club changed its name to Stoke Football Club in 1878 and then to Stoke City in 1925 after Stoke-on-Trent was granted city status. Stoke were one of the twelve founding members of the Football League in 1888. The team competes in the Championship, the second tier of English football.

Their first, and only major trophy to date, the League Cup was won in 1972, when the team beat Chelsea 2–1. The club's highest league finish in the top division is fourth, which was achieved in the 1935–36 and 1946–47 seasons. Stoke played in the FA Cup Final in 2011, finishing runners-up to Manchester City and have reached three FA Cup semi-finals; in 1899 then consecutively in 1971 and 1972. Stoke have competed in European football on three occasions, firstly in 1972–73 then in 1974–75 and most recently in 2011–12. The club has won the Football League Trophy twice, in 1992 and in 2000.

Stoke's home ground is the 30,089 all-seater, bet365 Stadium. Before the stadium was opened in 1997, the club was based at the Victoria Ground, which had been their home ground since 1878. The club's nickname is 'The Potters', named after the pottery industry in Stoke-on-Trent and their traditional home kit is a red and white vertically striped shirt, white shorts and stockings. Stoke's traditional rivals are Midlands clubs West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers whilst their local rivals are Port Vale with whom they contest the Potteries derby.

Previous Meeting 

We lost 2-0 away to Stoke in the Championship in February.

Team News - Predicted Line-Ups

Stoke City: Bursik, Collins, Chester, Batth, Fox, Cousins, Clucas, Brown, Powell, McClean, Campbell

Cardiff City: Smithies, Bacuna, Morrison, Nelson, Bennett, Vaulks, Ralls, Ojo, Wilson, Harris, Moore

Form - Last Three Games

Stoke City 1-0 Middlesbrough
Wycombe Wanderers 0-1 Stoke City
Sheffield Wednesday 0-0 Stoke City

Watford 0-1 Cardiff City
Cardiff City 3-0 Huddersfield Town
Cardiff City 4-0 Luton Town

Match Odds

Stoke City - 6/4
Cardiff City - 19/10
Draw - 21/10

Predictions

Post your predictions below 

Following on from the last 3 excellent performances I am going for a win by 2 clear goals

C'mon City

What's the team news

CCFC:

No new injuries


Filip Benkovic is back in contention for the Bluebirds and will once again be sub.

The Croatia centre back, who is yet to appear for Cardiff since joining on loan from Leicester.

Benkovic's absence in midweek saw the return of Greg Cunningham, who made the bench for the 2nd time v Watford , so he will also be battling it out for a place on the bench.

Lee Tomlin, Isaac Vassell and Jordi Osei-Tutu are all still the long-term absentees.

Easiest team prediction ever

Team News - Predicted Line-Ups



Cardiff City: Smithies, Bacuna, Morrison, Nelson, Bennett, Vaulks, Ralls, Ojo, Wilson, Harris, Moore

0-1 city Harry Wilson

Following on from the last 3 excellent performances I am going for a win by 2 clear goals

C'mon City

STOKE CITY v CARDIFF CITY
Tuesday 8th December, 7.45pm
Sky Bet Championship
Bet365 Stadium 


Match to be played in front of no supporters, for information on how to watch the match on TV or to stream it - see below


CCFC:

No new injuries


Filip Benkovic is back in contention for the Bluebirds and will once again be sub.

The Croatia centre back, who is yet to appear for Cardiff since joining on loan from Leicester.

Benkovic's absence in midweek saw the return of Greg Cunningham, who made the bench for the 2nd time v Watford , so he will also be battling it out for a place on the bench.

Lee Tomlin, Isaac Vassell and Jordi Osei-Tutu are all still the long-term absentees.



How can I watch this match on TV?

This match is live on Cardiff City TV and Sky Sports Arena.

About Stoke City

Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. Founded as Stoke Ramblers in 1863, the club changed its name to Stoke Football Club in 1878 and then to Stoke City in 1925 after Stoke-on-Trent was granted city status. Stoke were one of the twelve founding members of the Football League in 1888. The team competes in the Championship, the second tier of English football.

Their first, and only major trophy to date, the League Cup was won in 1972, when the team beat Chelsea 2–1. The club's highest league finish in the top division is fourth, which was achieved in the 1935–36 and 1946–47 seasons. Stoke played in the FA Cup Final in 2011, finishing runners-up to Manchester City and have reached three FA Cup semi-finals; in 1899 then consecutively in 1971 and 1972. Stoke have competed in European football on three occasions, firstly in 1972–73 then in 1974–75 and most recently in 2011–12. The club has won the Football League Trophy twice, in 1992 and in 2000.

Stoke's home ground is the 30,089 all-seater, bet365 Stadium. Before the stadium was opened in 1997, the club was based at the Victoria Ground, which had been their home ground since 1878. The club's nickname is 'The Potters', named after the pottery industry in Stoke-on-Trent and their traditional home kit is a red and white vertically striped shirt, white shorts and stockings. Stoke's traditional rivals are Midlands clubs West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers whilst their local rivals are Port Vale with whom they contest the Potteries derby.

Previous Meeting 

We lost 2-0 away to Stoke in the Championship in February.

Team News - Predicted Line-Ups

Stoke City: Bursik, Collins, Chester, Batth, Fox, Cousins, Clucas, Brown, Powell, McClean, Campbell

Cardiff City: Smithies, Bacuna, Morrison, Nelson, Bennett, Vaulks, Ralls, Ojo, Wilson, Harris, Moore

Form - Last Three Games

Stoke City 1-0 Middlesbrough
Wycombe Wanderers 0-1 Stoke City
Sheffield Wednesday 0-0 Stoke City

Watford 0-1 Cardiff City
Cardiff City 3-0 Huddersfield Town
Cardiff City 4-0 Luton Town

Match Odds

Stoke City - 6/4
Cardiff City - 19/10
Draw - 21/10

Predictions

Post your predictions below 

Neither side have conceded in last three has 0-0 all over it,but I've gone for another city win to continue the run I said we would start with us beating Luton 4-1 (before that game)and the run would start with that game,so far,so good

Following on from the last 3 excellent performances I am going for a win by 2 clear goals

C'mon City

Got a good feeling about this one

draw, might just get another win

Following on from the last 3 excellent performances I am going for a win by 2 clear goals

C'mon City

Got a good feeling about this one

That's what we are worried about.

Following on from the last 3 excellent performances I am going for a win by 2 clear goals

C'mon City

Got a good feeling about this one

That's what we are worried about.

Have faith young Jedi

MICHAEL O'NEIL STOKE CITY MANAGER:

"We are playing with six players who are under 21 and we could be missing up to ten first team players against Cardiff."


Stoke face Cardiff with a glut of injury problems after a bruising contest against Boro at the weekend.

"We are playing youngsters who have not played first team football before."



Stoke live

07/12/2020




Harry Souter back tomorrow?

“No, he’s not available until the weekend, nor many of the other first team players.”


Cardiff will not be a pushover. They had a very good win at Watford. So you must be expecting another tough game?



“Yes, a very tough game. Again, we’ll expect something like the game on Saturday. They are in a good little run of form.

“They’ve had three wins after maybe a little bit of a difficult period. It’s a good response.

“They’ve had three clean sheets. So they are in a good place. It’s not easy to get three wins in this in this league. We expect a very difficult game."





Stoke had a different type of forward line with Jacob Brown playing through the middle. Do you think that’s his best position?


“It’s important for the younger players with pace, in particular, to realise that they can play either through the middle of they can play in the wide areas.

Tyrese is probably the best example of that. When I came to the club, he was seen as a central striker.

"I thought what he (Brown) did for us on Saturday was excellent. His work rate, he got us up the pitch when we needed him to and he works defenders.

“I thought he was always a threat. He will grow into that position and there will be times he plays wide as well.

“We’ve also played him as a wing-back, in some of the Carabao Cup games as well.

“So, one of the things that attracted us in bringing Jacob to the club, was his versatility as well.

“But you know you will always get a shift out of him. With that type of pace, he’s got that those attributes that defenders naturally fear."




Given all the problems you’ve had with injuries, you must be pleased with how you are getting results?


“We’re very stretched at the minute. I think we ended up with maybe as many as six players who are 21 and under to finish the game on Saturday because of the injuries and the substitutions that we had to make.

“Those young players are making a big contribution. I thought Josh Taman played very well when he come on in midfield. Obviously, Nathan scored and played as he did.

“Tashan (Oakley-Boothe) came in, Joe Bursik is in the team, Tyrese, Jacob -they are all young players and that’s a positive that they’ve stepped up.


“We want the squad as strong as possible. Getting one or two of the more experienced senior players back will be a bonus as well.

“But certainly I thought we reacted well to the players that we lost in the game because obviously Clucas, Batth, and Powell are all very influential players for us. It was very important that we coped with their loss through the game which showed the spirit in the team.”





You said that could be up to 10 players out but could we have an update on the likes of Jordan Thompson and Steven Fletcher?



“We’ll assess them in the morning (Tuesday). It may be too soon for them, but if it is then we’re probably more optimistic for the weekend.

“But we’ll see how they progress in the next 24 hours. Jordan’s probably the one that is closest to being involved. John Obi is in the same boat. Clucas and Batth are fresh injuries from Saturday.

“Gregory and the likes of Souttar are recent injuries or illness that we’ve had to deal with as well. And the two goalkeepers we knew were long term in terms of when they’ll be ready to play again.”








Judging from what you said, we may have some younger players who we haven’t seen in the first-team squad before on the bench then?

“There’s always a possibility. We’ve had one or two younger players - Adam Porter and Will Forester - in particular, have trained with the first team on a number of occasions.

“We’ll see how the bodies are. As I say, it’s necessary when you’re stretched to give young players an opportunity.

“They’ll play tonight (Monday) in the under-23s for a period of that game as well. I think when you have many players either coming back from injury or carrying or suffering an injury at the weekend as we may have, then you have to dip into your younger players."

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NEIL HARRIS:

Ahead of the Stoke City game:

“I’m really pleased for the team, but particularly for the back four and the goalkeeper to get those clean sheets. It does give us a foundation to spring forward.

“The confidence and the spirit in the camp is as good as ever. The mentality in training and preparing for games, and the diligence I demand to be organised, is there.

“Stoke are a big physical side; they score goals from set plays, crosses, get the ball forward quickly and have pace in the team.

"We know that we have to match that physicality and be aggressive in our play.”

"They have a few players out, but they are home and up there, so we will come up against a good team tonight."

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3 clean sheets each for last 3 games, sure to be goals? City to win BTTS , should get decent odds on that

The past two weeks have seen a stunning turnaround for Bluebirds boss Neil Harris, with the win over Watford last Saturday the club's third on the bounce following victories over Luton Town and Huddersfield Town.

Stoke will present a stern challenge tonight, who have started the season well under Michael O'Neill.
Stoke though do have big injury problems.


With the South Wales derby looming large on the horizon for Cardiff, what Harris wouldn't love for another three points tonight to send them into battle on a high against their old rivals on Saturday.

NEIL HARRIS:


“Three clean sheets in a week is a big statement. It’s important that we have a solid foundation to build on for success this eyear.

“I’m really pleased for the team, but particularly for the back four and the goalkeeper to get those clean sheets. It does give us a foundation to spring forward.

“The confidence and the spirit in the camp is as good as ever. The mentality in training and preparing for games, and the diligence I demand to be organised, is there.

“Once they step over that white line, it’s down to them to perform and in the last three games the players have been outstanding.”

Neil Harris

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Cardiff City come into this game going in search of a fourth straight win, and indeed a fourth consecutive clean sheet.

The last time they achieved either feat was under previous boss Neil Warnock and, well we all know how that turned out.

Cardiff have just arrived at the Bet 365 Stadium and are out on the pitch checking out their surroundings. Robert Glatzel is swaggering around munching on a banana, having a natter

It's as you were then for Cardiff City, with Neil Harris naming an unchanged side for the fourth consecutive game.

Not too sure when that last happened, but willl maybe try and find out.

Guess if it ain't broke...




Meanwhile, more injuries as Stoke have made two changes to the side that beat Wycombe. Tommy Smith and Josh Tymon start in place of Danny Batth and Sam Clucas.
Stoke are down to their bare bones from their squad.

Stoke manager :


"With Danny Batth, Sam Clucas. Steven Fletcher and John Obi Mikel and Jordan Thompson and Joe Allen we’re nearly in double figures for players that are absent.

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Cardiff City are first to emerge from the tunnel.

Both teams now warming up to Paradise City by Guns 'n' Roses.

Warm-ups done

Both teams heading back into the changing rooms.

1-3 to the Bloobirds (Harris Wilson Ralls)

Here come the teams

After a quick rendition of Delilah from Pontypridd's finest on the PA, both players take the knee.

Vaulks launches an early throw towards Morrison into the box, but he can't get a decent chest on it and Stoke smuggle clear.

Vaulks launches an early throw towards Morrison into the box, but he can't get a decent chest on it and Stoke smuggle clear.

Bit of a slugfest in these opening few minutes, but the first flash of quality nearly pays off for Cardiff.

Ojo's through ball from the left is chased by Moore, but he's eventually penalised after contending with the keeper and a defender.

Think it's a foul on the keeper, but didn't look a lot in it.

Decent move from City as Moore slips in Ojo towards the byline on the left, but his low cross is cleared with Harris lurking.