A historic week lies ahead at Cardiff City stadium as Cardiff City are on the brink of qualification to the Premier League. They are currently on the second spot and are one point ahead of their rivals Fulham. The Bluebirds will be taking on Reading at home and will be expected to cruise through the game as their rivals are currently on the 19th spot. However, we all know it won’t be straightforward and Fulham will be hoping for a little bit of a slip up as well.
Reading, on the other hand, are just two points clear of the relegation zone and will be looking to secure a point to ensure their survival, as a win for 22nd placed Burton will take them to safety if Reading doesn’t manage anything out of the game. So Cardiff will surely get a tough fight as their opponents are trying to survive. The Royals will be hoping to keep it scoreless for as long as possible and if they manage to keep it quiet in the early part of the game, their opposition might start panicking and the crowds’ nerves will start jangling as even a draw could end their hopes of automatic promotion.
However, Cardiff will be expected to see off their opponents especially with the fact that they are at home.
Midfielder Aaron Gunnarsson will be missing this all-important clash as he had to go through a knee surgery after an injury he sustained in their previous game. Apart from that, Neil Warnock will have a full squad to choose from.
Here is how the Bluebirds will most likely line up for this important clash.
Formation(4-3-3)
Defence:
The tried and tested custodian Neil Etheridge will start in goal. He has played 45 games this season across all competitions and has managed an impressive haul of 17 cleans sheets. He will be protected by the centre-back pairing of Sol Bamba and the ever dependable Sean Morrison. Apart from being a rock at the back, Morrison has popped in with 5 goals and 3 assists. Lee Peltier will be expected to start in the right-back role and Joe Bennett will start as the left back.
Midfield:
Iceland international Gunnarsson will be a big miss for Warnock. However, he has an able replacement in Marko Grujic. Joe Ralls and Callum Paterson will partner him in the midfield. Paterson is traditionally a right back but can also fill in the role of a right midfielder.
Attack:
Mendez-Laing will play in the right wing position and Junior Hoilett will start as the left winger. Kenneth Zohore will likely get the nod ahead of Gary Madine and will lead the line in this clash.
