“ THE MAIN SOUTH WALES REPORTERS PREDICTIONS “
Thu Mar 31, 2022 9:29 am
CARDIFF CITY v SWANSEA CITY
Saturday 2nd April 2022
3pm
TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE
Ian Mitchelmore - Swansea City writer
It's undoubtedly one of the tougher derby games to predict. Cardiff have significantly improved since what was a productive January transfer window while Swansea have remained inconsistent. Both sides have reason for optimism though.
The Swans generally perform well after international breaks, with Russell Martin's men yet to lose either of their first two fixtures after a fortnight off this term. Jamie Paterson and Flynn Downes will benefit from the rest having missed the 0-0 draw against Birmingham City while others including Cyrus Christie, Joel Piroe, captain Matt Grimes and Michael Obafemi will be revitalised following hectic schedules of late. Ryan Manning's absence is a real blow, mind.
If Swansea can beat a Cardiff press, they have a great chance of winning this game. The Bluebirds are always going to be a threat from set plays, so the Swans will need to be rock solid at the back, or, as will be the game plan, they will seek to keep the ball as much as possible. Both sides have enough individual talent to get them over the line, but it's so hard to separate the sides that I'm going for a draw.
Score prediction: 1-1
Tom Coleman - sports writer
I predicted last time that Swansea would win and win comfortably. Without meaning to brag it turned out I was pretty bang on. In fact, I'm not sure I've seen a side so comfortable in a South Wales derby as the Swans were in that victory. Cardiff were, in all departments, unfathomably dreadful, and turned in the sort of unforgivable derby showing that probably deserved worse than the 3-battering Russell Martin's side dished out on the day.
However, the Bluebirds are a very different animal under Steve Morison, and I'd be shocked if the Swans enjoyed anything like the same level of comfort this time round. This isn't the one-dimensional ponderous and predictable Cardiff side that was so deservedly torn apart last time. Cody Drameh and Tommy Doyle have brought real Premier League quality, while Rubin Colwill and Isaak Davies offer a more homegrown spark, while just over half of the offenders back in October have either left the club altogether or are unlikely to play.
Swansea, in contrast, won't have changed too much, either in personnel or style, and it's for that reason that you can't really write them off. Not completely, anyway. Joel Piroe and Jamie Paterson, the heroes of that sensational derby win, are more than capable of causing problems again, while Michael Obafemi's surge in form has to be a concern to Cardiff.
But the problem with Swansea at the moment is that you're never quite sure what you're going to get. They were brilliant up at West Brom the other week, yawn-inducing against Birmingham before the international break, and were manic at Peterborough. Cardiff, meanwhile, have lost just one of their last eight outings at home, although their draw against Preston showed that even amid their recent revival under Morison, they are still reasonably well-versed in the art of the flat, flavourless performance.
Mat Davies - head of football
The second game of the season between these two sides usually goes the way of the team who lost the first battle, such is the ferociousness of the fixture. I'm not going to deviate from that too much either. Cardiff appear to be a much more well-drilled outfit since Morison took over and have more depth than Swansea at present.
Martin's men will have the lion's share of possession no doubt - I wouldn't be surprised if they have nearly three-quarters of the ball in all honesty. But it's what you do with it that counts and Swansea still seem to freeze when entering the final third of the pitch. Cardiff have players who can cause Swansea problems too, with Tommy Doyle and Cody Drameh proving two shrewd loan signings in January.
If Swansea are to get anything out of this game they will need to take their chances when they come. They must be clinical, with Jamie Paterson and Joel Piroe needing to be on top of their game. But with a home crowd behind them and the Bluebirds in decent form, I'm going for a home win.
Score prediction: 2-1
Jared Evitts - trainee journalist
With just two points separating the teams this time round, this South Wales derby is set to be a nail-biter. In a run of three wins in four, and with a home crowd behind them, Cardiff should go into the game with confidence.
However, with the added incentive of the much-discussed derby double, Swansea should also come to Cardiff City Stadium well up for it. With both teams all but safe, and with no chance of the play-offs, this is a huge chance to give fans some much sought-after bragging rights and something to cheer about.
As a result, I’d like to think both teams will have a good go on Saturday, but I can’t see much separating them.
Score prediction: 2-2
Saturday 2nd April 2022
3pm
TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE
Ian Mitchelmore - Swansea City writer
It's undoubtedly one of the tougher derby games to predict. Cardiff have significantly improved since what was a productive January transfer window while Swansea have remained inconsistent. Both sides have reason for optimism though.
The Swans generally perform well after international breaks, with Russell Martin's men yet to lose either of their first two fixtures after a fortnight off this term. Jamie Paterson and Flynn Downes will benefit from the rest having missed the 0-0 draw against Birmingham City while others including Cyrus Christie, Joel Piroe, captain Matt Grimes and Michael Obafemi will be revitalised following hectic schedules of late. Ryan Manning's absence is a real blow, mind.
If Swansea can beat a Cardiff press, they have a great chance of winning this game. The Bluebirds are always going to be a threat from set plays, so the Swans will need to be rock solid at the back, or, as will be the game plan, they will seek to keep the ball as much as possible. Both sides have enough individual talent to get them over the line, but it's so hard to separate the sides that I'm going for a draw.
Score prediction: 1-1
Tom Coleman - sports writer
I predicted last time that Swansea would win and win comfortably. Without meaning to brag it turned out I was pretty bang on. In fact, I'm not sure I've seen a side so comfortable in a South Wales derby as the Swans were in that victory. Cardiff were, in all departments, unfathomably dreadful, and turned in the sort of unforgivable derby showing that probably deserved worse than the 3-battering Russell Martin's side dished out on the day.
However, the Bluebirds are a very different animal under Steve Morison, and I'd be shocked if the Swans enjoyed anything like the same level of comfort this time round. This isn't the one-dimensional ponderous and predictable Cardiff side that was so deservedly torn apart last time. Cody Drameh and Tommy Doyle have brought real Premier League quality, while Rubin Colwill and Isaak Davies offer a more homegrown spark, while just over half of the offenders back in October have either left the club altogether or are unlikely to play.
Swansea, in contrast, won't have changed too much, either in personnel or style, and it's for that reason that you can't really write them off. Not completely, anyway. Joel Piroe and Jamie Paterson, the heroes of that sensational derby win, are more than capable of causing problems again, while Michael Obafemi's surge in form has to be a concern to Cardiff.
But the problem with Swansea at the moment is that you're never quite sure what you're going to get. They were brilliant up at West Brom the other week, yawn-inducing against Birmingham before the international break, and were manic at Peterborough. Cardiff, meanwhile, have lost just one of their last eight outings at home, although their draw against Preston showed that even amid their recent revival under Morison, they are still reasonably well-versed in the art of the flat, flavourless performance.
Mat Davies - head of football
The second game of the season between these two sides usually goes the way of the team who lost the first battle, such is the ferociousness of the fixture. I'm not going to deviate from that too much either. Cardiff appear to be a much more well-drilled outfit since Morison took over and have more depth than Swansea at present.
Martin's men will have the lion's share of possession no doubt - I wouldn't be surprised if they have nearly three-quarters of the ball in all honesty. But it's what you do with it that counts and Swansea still seem to freeze when entering the final third of the pitch. Cardiff have players who can cause Swansea problems too, with Tommy Doyle and Cody Drameh proving two shrewd loan signings in January.
If Swansea are to get anything out of this game they will need to take their chances when they come. They must be clinical, with Jamie Paterson and Joel Piroe needing to be on top of their game. But with a home crowd behind them and the Bluebirds in decent form, I'm going for a home win.
Score prediction: 2-1
Jared Evitts - trainee journalist
With just two points separating the teams this time round, this South Wales derby is set to be a nail-biter. In a run of three wins in four, and with a home crowd behind them, Cardiff should go into the game with confidence.
However, with the added incentive of the much-discussed derby double, Swansea should also come to Cardiff City Stadium well up for it. With both teams all but safe, and with no chance of the play-offs, this is a huge chance to give fans some much sought-after bragging rights and something to cheer about.
As a result, I’d like to think both teams will have a good go on Saturday, but I can’t see much separating them.
Score prediction: 2-2
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Re: “ THE MAIN SOUTH WALES REPORTERS PREDICTIONS “
Thu Mar 31, 2022 9:59 am
I think it wil be 1-1 though of course I'd love us to hammer them...
Re: “ THE MAIN SOUTH WALES REPORTERS PREDICTIONS “
Thu Mar 31, 2022 10:50 am
Two nl Cardiff we are the better team on form and are at home 
