Cardiff City vs Manchester City
Date: 22/09/18
K/O: 3.00pm
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium
Referee: Michael Oliver
Manchester City travel to winless Cardiff looking to keep pace with early pacesetters Chelsea and Liverpool.
The Bluebirds are only out of the relegation zone on goal difference and have scored just three goals in the opening five games.
City meanwhile have dropped just two league points, but were poor in their defeat to Lyon in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Cardiff may temper their attacking style after conceding four to Chelsea last time out, while City could bring back a number of players rested in midweek as they bid to return to winning ways.
Cardiff’s three league goals is the joint second worst in the league, and a visit of the Champions will provide another stern test of the Bluebirds’ attacking threat.
Neil Warnock is likely to persist with two strikers, but Kenneth Zohore and Gary Madine could come in for Bobby Reid or Danny Ward if the veteran manager decides to freshen things up.
Elsewhere, Harry Arter, Aron Gunnarsson and Josh Murphy are doubtful, but if Arter is passed fit to play the Bluebirds could name an unchanged midfield and defence.
Man City are buoyed by the return of Benjamin Mendy and Vincent Kompany in defence, after the duo missed the last two games.
Nicolas Otamendi may also come in, with Pep Guardiola likely to rotate his side as they play the third of seven games in 23 days.
Sergio Aguero is fit to start, and could be joined by Riyad Mahrez, Leroy Sane and Ilkay Gundogan in returning to the side.
Predicted Starting XI’s
Cardiff City: Etheridge; Ecuele Manga, Morrison, Bamba, Bennett; Camarasa, Arter, Ralls, Hoilett; Reid, Ward
Manchester City: Ederson; Walker, Kompany, Laporte, Delph; Fernandinho, Gundogan, D. Silva, Sterling, Aguero, B. Silva.
Predicted Score: Cardiff City 1 Manchester City 3
