Cardiff City will play host to Coventry City at Cardiff City Stadium in the Welsh capital this Tuesday with the two Championship teams having just one position separating them.
Key Takeaways
- Coventry City are on a run of 4 draws in the past 4 games
- Both sides have 7 points from 6 games and are directly next to each other in the table
- Cardiff have drawn just one game this season, and Coventry have just the one win
The Welsh side have certainly had the more dramatic of the side's starts to the season, whereas Coventry have found wins hard to come by but have set themselves up to be very tough to beat.
Cardiff City Form
The side from the capital have had mixed fortunes so far this season in the Championship they began their campaign with a 2-2 draw at Elland Road away to Leeds United. Josh Bowler and Ike Ugbo found the net but these goals were cancelled out by Crysensio Summerville's equaliser in the 95th minute.
Cardiff then scraped by on penalties in the EFL cup against Colchester after yet another 2-2 draw, they then lost their first game of the season against Queens Park Rangers with Ike Ugbo again on the score sheet in a game that finished 2-1.
Another 2-1 loss followed this time away to recently relegated Leicester City, with vice-captain Aaron Ramsey on the score sheet, and Mahlon Romeo sent off in the 96th minute. Cardiff then secured their first win of the season in dramatic fashion, Ugbo again on the score sheet, with Sheffield Wednesdays Barry Bannan equalising, and Ryan Wintle converting a 98th-minute penalty.
After seeing off Birmingham City in the EFL cup with A 3-1 win, Cardiff then lost on their return to league action with a close-fought 3-2 defeat to Ipswich Town. The latest game would restore some hope for Cardiff's fans, a 2-0 victory over their biggest rivals Swansea City with Aaron Ramsey scoring the match-winning penalty and his third goal of the season.
Coventry City Form
Coventry's campaign to improve on last season's impressive 5th-placed showing got off to a difficult start with a 2-1 loss to rivals and recently relegated side, Leicester City, a game for the neutrals as 40 shots were split between the two sides.
That result was repeated in a surprise defeat to League Two AFC Wimbledon in the EFL Cup meaning that Coventry are eliminated from the competition, Coventry battered their opponents but failed to make enough of their 28 chances on goal pay.
A convincing win then followed; Coventry managed to breeze past Middlesborough 3-0 with goals from Matt Godden, Haji Wright and an own goal from Darragh Lenihan, a 1-1 draw with Swansea City followed, with two goals in two minutes with Matt Godden finding the net again.
That result best Coventry’s recent fortunes, they’re currently on a run of 4 draws with a 0-0 at home with Sunderland, a 6-goal thriller with Watford followed and their most recent fixture was a 1-1 draw with 5th placed Hull.
Head-to-Head
The past 6 meetings between the two sides have been relatively even, the last result in December last year ended in a goalless draw, before that there have been 3 wins for Coventry and 2 for Cardiff.
Team News
Both sides are not too troubled by injuries going into this fixture, Fabi Tavares and Callum Ohare are unfortunate omissions for Coventry, and Cardiff will prepare without Josh Bowler whose calf injury will mean he will be out for a few more weeks.
Key Players
The vastly experienced Kyle McFadzean already has a goal to his name, the 36-year-old center-half has played every minute and his leadership from the spine of the team continues to be crucial.
Cardiff’s superstar Aaron Ramsey is continuing to live up to his reputation and perform well for his side, he has 3 goals from 6 games this season and has collected 2 Player of the Match awards to boot.
Final Thoughts
An even game lies ahead of us with no side seeming to have a clear advantage, this could play out to yet another draw for Coventry as the teams appear very evenly matched.