Manchester City vs Cardiff City, Premier League Matchday 32: Team News, Preview and Prediction

Competition/Round: 2018/19 English Premier League Season – Matchday 32

Date/Time: Manchester City vs Cardiff City – Wednesday, 3 April 2019, 19:45 GMT (UK); 14:45 EST, 11:45 PST (USA)

Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England, United Kingdom

Match Officials:

Referee: Jon Moss

Assistants: Marc Perry, Andy Halliday

Fourth Official: Michael Oliver

TV Info: Sky Sports Premier League (UK)

Live Stream: SKY GO Extra (UK); NBC Sports Gold (USA)

Radio: BBC Radio Manchester (UK); TalkSport Radio World (USA)

Preview:

Manchester City begin their congested list of fixtures in April on Wednesday when they host Cardiff City.

A game in hand, the Sky Blues will look to utilize this opportunity to go top of the table in the English Premier League. They must be careful, however, as the Mancunian side will play eight matches in 30 days. Should the Sky Blues lose any of their key players to injury during this period, it will surely be devastating. Cardiff City are fighting for EPL survival, and as a result, it is expected this will be a difficult test for the hosts.

The Bluebirds will feel undone after their loss to Chelsea over the weekend. Having gone ahead at the start of the second half, the Welsh side defended brilliantly against an onslaught of Chelsea attacks. They eventually lost, however, due to a poor offside call and a series of defensive errors at the end of the match. Cardiff are now five points from safety, albeit with a game in hand. With this in mind, the visitors will try to frustrate their hosts as they search for a result that could help them toward their fight for safety.

Team News:

Manchester City’s Sergio Agüero took a knock in the match against Fulham and it is predicted the Argentine will not play in this match for precautionary purposes.

Cardiff City are without the injured Souleymane Bamba and Callum Paterson. Joe Bennett is returning from injury and is fighting for match fitness.

Possible Lineups:

Manchester City

Formation: 4-3-3

Ederson; Walker, Otamendi, Laporte, Zinchenko; De Bruyne, Fernandinho, D. Silva; Sterling, Jesus, B. Silva

Manager: Pep Guardiola

Cardiff City

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Etheridge; Peltier, Morrison, Manga, Bennet; Gunnarsson, Arter; Murphy, Camarasa, Hoilett; Niasse

Manager: Neil Warnock

Prediction:

The EPL title is in Manchester City’s hands. The Sky Blues are two points behind current league leaders Liverpool, albeit the Mancunians have a game in hand. Moreover, they have a superior goal differential and have scored more goals than the Scousers this season. Both statistics could play a factor in deciding the winner of this year’s title, thus City cannot let up in this match.

At the other end of the table, Cardiff City are five points from safety and know they will have to give it their all in their final seven matches of the EPL season. Should they continue a poor run of form, the Bluebirds will be relegated to the Championship. This would result in a major loss in revenue, and like any club competing in the EPL, they could not afford such a turn of events.

There is a lot at stake in this match. A Manchester victory would see them reclaim the top spot in the EPL with six matches to play. Meanwhile, a Cardiff win would see the Welsh side come one step closer to safety. Hence, this is anyone’s game to lose.

This will not be an entertaining match. It will be cagey. It will be ugly. Both sides are desperate to gain a result, knowing the stakes if they lose this match.

But this Manchester City side have been here before, and they will look to add to their good fortunes as they look to retain the EPL title.

Manchester City 3-1 Cardiff City