MATCH FACTS: DERBY VS CARDIFF
Club News
19th September
Derby County vs Cardiff City
Venue: I-Pro Stadium (Formerly known as Pride Park)
Date: Saturday 20th September 2014, 3.00pm KO
LISTEN LIVE ON CARDIFF CITY PLAYER
Cardiff City head to Derby County on Saturday following a week of change in the Welsh Capital. The Rams enter the game a single point ahead of City, but with a game in hand following their 3-2 victory over Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday. Danny Gabbidon was an unused sub for City's last match vs Middlesbrough, but takes charge of his first match with fellow Bluebirds legend Scott Young at Pride Park.
Tickets for this match are still available. Please call 0845 345 1400 or buy tickets online now
MATCH FACTS
- Saturday's match could see Craig Noone make his first appearance of the campaign
- City full-back John Brayford made 109 league appearances for the Rams between 2010-2013
- Cardiff have a good record against Derby in recent seasons, with three wins and two draws from the past five meetings
- Chris Martin and Jamie Ward have formed a strong partnership in attack for the Rams, scoring nine goals between them already this season
- Derby County are unbeaten at home in 2014/15
KEY OPPOSITION PLAYER: Jamie Ward
Jamie Ward has enjoyed a fruitful spell in front of goal to start the 2014/15 season in style. The forward can occupy a wing position or play as a central forward, and has become a key player in Steve McLaren's starting line-up. Having joined the club initially on loan in 2011, the loan deal was made permanent at the end of the temporary period. Ward scored twice as Derby defeated Blackburn on Wednesday and the lively Northern Ireland international will likely be a threat to the City defence throughout Saturday's game. Fellow attacker Chris Martin has also started the season strongly with four goals already.
FUTURE STARS TO WATCH: Will Hughes/Jordon Ibe
The threats of 19-year old Will Hughes are undeniable. The England U21 international has already made 86 appearances for the Rams first team despite his tender age. In Liverpool loanee Jordon Ibe though, Derby have a goal-scoring threat from either the substitutes bench or in the starting 11. During his loan spell with Birmingham City last season, Ibe made 11 appearances while helping the Blues to remain in the Championship on the final day. Still only 18 - Ibe has a big future ahead of him.
RECENT FORM (ALL COMPETITIONS)
Cardiff City: WLWDLL
Last time out: Cardiff City 0-1 Middlesbrough - Tuesday 16th September 2014, Sky Bet Championship
An early Kike goal was enough for Middlesbrough on Tuesday night as Cardiff City fell to a second consecutive home defeat in four days to leave the home fans frustrated. Middlesbrough took the lead inside two minutes when Kike converted a whipped in Albert Adomah delivery. City were reduced to chances from free kicks and corners, but all were well dealt with by the visitors’ defence who held out for their third away win of the season.
Cardiff City: Marshall, Connolly, Manga, Cala, Brayford, Whittingham, Adeyemi, Pilkington (Guerra), Dæhli (Le Fondre), Jones, Macheda (Gunnarsson). Subs Not Used: Moore, Gabbidon, Eikrem, Burgstaller.
Derby County: LWWDDW
Last time out: Blackburn Rovers 2-3 Derby County - Wednesday 17th September 2014, Sky Bet Championship
Derby County came from behind to win away from home for the first time in the Championship this season against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park. Rovers were ahead in the opening minute, former Leicester midfielder Ben Marshall scoring from distance. Derby led by the interval, Jamie Ward equalising from close range before Will Hughes netted from 18 yards. Ward curled a left-footed effort into the far corner to make it 3-1 before Rudy Gestede's consolation.
Derby County: Grant, Whitbread, Christie, Keogh, Forsyth, Eustace, Hughes (Mascarell), Bryson, Dawkins (Ibe), Martin, Ward (Russell). Subs Not Used: Naylor, Roos, Thomas, Shotton.
LAST COMPETITIVE MEETING
2013/14: Tuesday 5th March 2013, Championship: Cardiff City 1-1 Derby County
Craig Noone's eighty-second minute header earned City a point on Tuesday evening, maintaining their five point lead at the summit of the Championship. It was against the run of play that Conor Sammon converted from six yards, but City responded magnificently, Noone heading from close range to bring the game level. Cardiff probed for the winner in the final quarter of an hour, but it was not to be this time.
Cardiff City: Marshall, Connolly, Taylor, Turner, Nugent, Whittingham, Gunnarsson, Conway (Gestede), Smith (Noone), Helguson (Mason), Campbell. Subs Not Used: Lewis, McNaughton, Cowie, Kim.
Derby County: Legzdins, Roberts, Gjokaj, Keogh, Buxton, Davies, Hendrick, Coutts, Forsyth (Jacobs), Martin, Sammon. Subs Not Used: Fielding, Doyle, Bennett, Hoganson,
Tickets for this match are still available. Please call 0845 345 1400 or buy tickets online now
