PREVIEW: CARDIFF CITY v HULL CITY

A comprehensive look at Saturday's Premier League clash

Cardiff City v Hull City
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium
Date: Saturday, 22nd February, KO 3pm
Match-tag:#CARHUL (Live tweets on @CardiffCityFC)
LISTEN LIVE ON CARDIFF CITY PLAYER

Cardiff City take on the Tigers at Cardiff City Stadium as Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side look to claim three crucial Barclays Premier League points, which could see them climb out of the bottom three by the close of play.

MATCH FACTS

- Hull have netted only three goals in the final 15 minutes of Premier League games this season; fewer than any other side.
- David Marshall is the only player to have made over 100 saves in the Premier League this season (104) – 17 more than any other ‘keeper.
- Steve Bruce needs one more victory to reach 100 Premier League wins as a manager.
- Former Hull City loanee Frazier Campbell is the only player to have scored more than once at the Cardiff City Stadium for the Bluebirds this season in the PL (4).
- 15 different players have scored for Hull City in the PL this term, but 14 of those have failed to score more than twice and their top scorer; Robbie Brady, only has three goals.
- As a team, Hull City have made just 371 touches in the opposition box this season – fewer than any other side in the Premier League.

KEY PLAYER: Tom Huddlestone



A midfield general, Huddlestone has been enjoying regular football at KC Stadium this season making 27 appearances for Steve Bruce’s side in all competitions so far. A player of such quality that the game looks all too easy at times, surprisingly his goal in a 6-0 win over Fulham in December was his first since April 2011.

IN-FORM PLAYER: Shane Long



Steve Bruce finally got his man in January as Shane Long arrived at KC Stadium from West Bromwich Albion. One thing is certain from the Republic of Ireland International and that is goals, already finding his form for the Tigers with two goals in four appearances so far.

RECENT FORM (ALL COMPETITIONS):

Cardiff City: WLWLDL
Last time out: Cardiff City 1-2 Wigan Athletic – Saturday, 15th February, FA Cup with Budweiser.



It was to be the F.A Cup holders who were to progress to the quarter finals after a hard fought match at a cold Cardiff City Stadium. Wigan took the lead early in the first half when a perfectly weighted delivery from Jordi Gómez allowed Chris McCann to simply slot home.

Team - Cardiff City: Marshall, Taylor, Cala, Theophile-Catherine, Caulker, Daehli, Medel (Cowie, 45), Berget (Noone, 61), Eikrem (Bo-Kyung, 78), Zaha, Campbell. Subs not used: Lewis, Turner, John, Gunnarsson.

Hull City:  WLDWLD
Last time out: Brighton & Hove Albion 1-1 Hull City – Monday 17th February, FA Cup with Budweiser



West Ham striker Andy Carroll provided the assists for a Kevin Nolan double before being sent off against Swansea City at Upton Park. The Swans have now won just once in their last eleven Barclays Premier League fixtures.

Team – Hull City: McGregor, Faye (Boyd, 67), Davies, Figueroa, Elmohamady, Huddlestone, Quinn (Fryatt, 66), Koren, Livermore (Meyler, 82), Aluko, Sagbo. Subs not used: Harper, Chester, Henderson, Bruce.

LAST COMPETITIVE MEETING:

2013/14: Saturday, 14th September 2013, Barclays Premier League – Hull City 1-1 Cardiff City



Cardiff City claimed their first away Barclays Premier League point as Peter Whittingham’s second half equaliser secured a valuable result against fellow promoted Tigers at KC Stadium.

Team - Cardiff City: Lewis; Taylor, Caulker (C), Turner, Whittingham, Medel, Campbell (Gestede 65), Kim (Maynard 45), Gunnarsson, Cowie (Mutch 90), Theophile-Catherine. Subs not used: Moore; Hudson, Odemwingie, Gestede, Noone, Mutch.
         
REFEREE: Howard Webb

Howard Webb is widely regarded as one of the top referees in world football. After plying his trade in the lower leagues during the mid-1990s, he made the step up to the top flight as an assistant referee in 1998, before taking charge of his first Premier League match five years later.

A former World Cup final referee and official of numerous domestic cup finals, Webb last took charge of a City game in December, as the Bluebirds secured a 1-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion at Cardiff City Stadium.

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