Cardiff City vs Watford
Date: 22/02/2019
K/O: 19:45
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium
Referee: Roger East
Cardiff City look to distance themselves from the relegation zone as they seek their third consecutive victory, hosting Watford on Friday night.
While every game in the Premier League is important, its more so for Cardiff, who, on the back of consecutive victories, have moved out of the relegation zone. Friday’s hosts, under Neil Warnock, have struggled much of the season after being promoted last term yet Cardiff can achieve something they haven’t done all season – put a third consecutive win together to build a buffer between them and Southampton, who currently occupy the 18th spot in the league table.
There has been some inspired football being played by Cardiff, in the wake of the Emiliano Sala tragedy. In gameweek 26, the Bluebirds played some good football, disposing of Bournemouth 2-0 at home. “It’s all about the team spirit and how we play as a team; it’s not about the individuals”, said Kenneth Zahore, who scored a 93rd-minute winner at Southampton last time out.
In the reverse fixture in December, Cardiff nearly pulled off an unlikely draw. After being 3-0 down, they pulled two back, with the game ultimately finishing 3-2. The Hornets sit comfortably in 8th overall, with a chance to overtake Wolves this week; they are coming off the back of a midweek FA Cup fixture that saw Etienne Capoue net the only goal as Watford defeated QPR. After the game, Javi Gracia said, “the thing we have to do is to keep working the way we are doing and to be focused on the next game.”
Team News
Cardiff City
Neil Warnock could be without a key defensive asset, as Sean Morrison has missed the last four games due to an abdominal injury. Victor Camarasa and Harry Arter returned to fitness last week, with Arter playing the full 90 minutes, while Camarasa had a seven-minute cameo that saw him pick up a late assist. Cardiff need to take advantage of the fact they play three of their next four games at home and three points in this one could be key to survival.
The return of Camarasa means Warnock has a decision to make: continue to play Bobby Reid and Oumar Niasse up front, or reintroduce Camarasa, who’s been one of the unsung heroes for the Welsh outfit this season. Reid and Niasse have paired very well together in the 3-5-2 system Warnock has been utilising recently but it’s quite possible that Cardiff will return to a 4-3-3, thus moving Reid out to the flank, a formation that hasn’t been overly effective.
Last time out, the Bluebirds started in a 4-1-4-1 formation, which wasn’t very effective, but the game turned with the introduction of Reid in the 78th minute. Defensively, this could be a good match-up, as Neil Etheridge continues to impress with Bruno Manga, Sol Bamba, Joe Bennett and Callum Paterson in front of him. Cardiff have conceded six goals over the last four league games and more importantly, Watford have been off target, scoring just two goals over that same period.
Watford
As the season rolls on, Watford continue to play a very consistent brand of football. One reason for their success this season has been a reduced number of injuries sidelining players. Ahead of the Friday fixture at Cardiff City, Javi Gracia has confirmed Roberto Pereyra and Issac Success will be available, leaving Kiko Femenia (thigh) as the only unavailable player. Gracia said, “it’s good for me to have more options to choose, always it’s difficult for me, but its good other players will be fit and ready to play.” Jose Holebas will miss the next two fixtures due to suspension after accumulating 10 yellow cards this season.
In the past few years, after assuring their Premier League survival, Watford’s form has taken a dip towards the latter stages of each season. “It’s not important to me what happened in the past. My feelings in this moment are good and I think all the squad is ready to compete until the end of the season. In other seasons there were other circumstances, injured players, things that changed the possibility to win the games,” said Gracia. The Hornets have lost just two games in their last ten and picked up a vital FA Cup win against QPR, booking a date in the quarter-finals at Vicarage Road against Crystal Palace.
Watford look to line up in a familiar, 4-2-2-2 formation, as Adam Masina comes in for Holebas at left back. Defensively, look no further than Ben Foster, who’s been at his best in the Premier League this season. A player rarely used, Miguel Britos, is pushing for a return to the starting XI.
However, the problems for Watford are in attack with just two goals over the last four league games. More worrisome though, is the fact they had just three shots on target in their last three games. Wasteful is the only way to describe the attack that hasn’t been firing on all cylinders. For all the accolades, Gerard Deulofeu has struggled with his finishing. It’s been the inconsistency of early season hero, Roberto Pereyra, who’s been ineffective. He has been unable to create or contribute in the last eight games, but after coming back from injury, he will be looking to regain his form.
Predicted Starting XIs:
Cardiff City (3-4-1-2): Etheridge; Bamba, Manga, Peltier; Bennett, Ralls, Gunnarsson, Patterson; Arter; Niasse, Camarasa
Watford (4-2-2-2): Foster; Masina, Kabasele, Cathcart, Janmaat; Capoue, Doucoure; Pereyra, Hughes; Deeney, Deulofeu
Score Prediction: Cardiff City 1 Watford 2
Cardiff lost the reverse fixture back in December, 3-2 off the back of a couple of late goals. Watford have won their last two games against the Bluebirds, but Cardiff have lost just once in their last six home games against the Hornets. Look to this as a competitive fixture that will end 2-1 in favour of Watford.
