Match Preview: Cardiff Away

Cardiff City Vs Preston North End Match Preview

Coca-Cola Championship Saturday 5^th December 2009

After facing the old enemy on Monday night, North End travel to South Wales to a ground never before visited by the Lilywhites. Cardiff City’s aptly named Cardiff City Stadium is the setting for Saturday’s fixture with the Bluebirds in what is likely to be a tough game for Alan Irvine’s side.

Having not had much luck at Ninian Park in recent visits, North End fans will be praying that their fortunes change in time for the visit to Cardiff’s new stadium, where the South Wales outfit are currently on a run of just two wins in their last six.

A win for North End could see them regain a place back in the top half whilst Cardiff will be hoping they can jump back into the playoff places, where they are just one point away.

Form

Cardiff City Home Form: LWDWDL
Preston North End Away Form: LWLWLD

Previous Meetings

As stated above, North End’s luck on Cardiff turf hasn’t seen them come away from South Wales with much to cheer about. The Lilywhites’ last visit to Cardiff ended in a 2-0 defeat thanks to a Roger Johnson header three minutes before half-time and a Michael Chopra penalty midway through the second half.

However, the memory of another dismal result in Cardiff was erased last April when the Bluebirds visited Deepdale, hoping to continue their own march to the playoffs. A Neil Mellor brace got the ball rolling inside the first half only to see Cardiff awarded a penalty in dubious circumstances. Ross McCormack stepped up to take the spot kick only to see his effort beaten away by Andrew Lonergan, much to the delight of the Deepdale crowd right on the stroke of half time.

Jon Parkin had North End 3 up shortly after the break before former Wolves man Mark Kennedy headed North End’s fourth into his own net. Substitute Chris Brown scored a header of his own to make it 5 before Lee Williamson capped off an excellent team display to make it a staggering 6-0.

Last Six Meetings in Cardiff

2008/2009	Sat 06 Dec	Cardiff City	2 - 0	Preston N.E.	Championship
2007/2008	Sat 22 Sep	Cardiff City	2 - 2	Preston N.E.	Championship
2006/2007	Fri 23 Feb	Cardiff City	4 - 1	Preston N.E.	Championship
2005/2006	Tue 18 Oct	Cardiff City	2 - 2	Preston N.E.	Championship
2004/2005	Fri 19 Nov	Cardiff City	0 - 1	Preston N.E.	Championship
2003/2004	Tue 09 Dec	Cardiff City	2 - 2	Preston N.E.	League Division One

 

Team News

After sitting out the derby day draw with Blackpool on Monday, Liam Chilvers is expected to be well enough to feature against the Bluebirds at the weekend. The former Arsenal trainee phoned in sick on Monday morning meaning that Irish international Eddie Nolan stepped in the fill the void.

The Bluebirds will be sweating over the fitness of goalkeepers David Marshall and Peter Enckleman. Marshall limped out of Cardiff’s defeat to Ipswich with a groin injury to be replaced by Enckleman who was in a car crash during the week.