MATCH FACTS: CARDIFF VS DERBY
Club News
30th January
Cardiff City vs Derby County
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium
Date: Saturday, 31st January 2015, 3:00pm
Russell Slade's Cardiff City play host to league high fliers Derby County on Saturday afternoon looking to return to winning ways, while the Rams head to South Wales with five wins from their last six competitive games.
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MATCH FACTS
- Stuart O'Keefe & Lee Peltier have both received International Clearance and could be in line to make their Cardiff City debuts
- County are currently second in the Sky Bet Championship, with AFC Bournemouth only top on goal difference
- Former England striker Darren Bent has netted three times during his first month on loan at the iPro
- The first meeting between Cardiff and Derby at Cardiff City Stadium saw the Bluebirds run out 6-1 winners, Michael Chopra with four goals
- Peter Whittingham made 11 appearances in a loan spell for the Rams in 2005, he is Cardiff's only league ever-present this season
- Bruno Ecuele Manga is once again available for selection following Gabon's African Cup of Nations campaign
- Derby will be without eight-goal man Johnny Russell, who is set to miss 6-8 weeks with a hamstring injury
KEY OPPOSITION PLAYER: Chris Martin
After seven years as a professional at first club Norwich City, Chris Martin made the permanent move to the Rams in summer 2013, and has been an undoubted revelation ever since. Martin netted 25 goals in all competitions for the Rams during their promotion battle in 2013/14, and it looks ever more likely he will beat that total this season, having already hit the back of the net 18 times in all competitions. Martin has featured heavily in the Capital One Cup and F.A. Cup for County as well as the Sky Bet Championship this term, cementing his position as one of the first names on Steve McClaren's team sheet.
ONE TO WATCH: Will Hughes
England U21 International Will Hughes has already made over 100 appearances for the Rams, this statistic is even more impressive seeing as the attacking midfielder is still only 19-years-old. Hughes made his first team debut back in April 2012, just 11 days after turning 17-years-old and has continued to go from strength to strength since being brought through by Nigel Clough. He has continued to flourish since Steve McClaren's appointment in November 2013, making 32 appearances so far in 2014/15 for highly flying Derby.
RECENT FORM (ALL COMPETITIONS)
Cardiff City: DWWLLL
Last time out: Cardiff City 1-2 Reading - Saturday, 24th January 2015, F.A. Cup Fourth Round
Cardiff City bowed out of the FA Cup Fourth Round as they fell to a 2-1 defeat to Reading at CCS. The Bluebirds had the advantage at half time, breaking the deadlock on 25 minutes when Kenwyne Jones powerfully headed home Peter Whittingham’s corner.
However, the scores were levelled in the second half when Oliver Norwood, the Royals’ star man, curled a free-kick past Simon Moore. Then, in the final minute of the match, Wales international Hal Robson-Kanu rose at the near post to complete the comeback and ensure that Reading would progress to the Fifth Round.
Cardiff City: Moore, Fabio, Morrison, Turner (Connolly), Malone, Harris (Macheda), Whittingham, Gunnarsson, Noone, Jones, Revell (Adeyemi). Subs Not Used: Wilson, John, Ralls, O’Sullivan.
Derby County: WWWLWW
Last time out: Derby County 2-0 Blackburn Rovers – Tuesday, 27th January 2015, Sky Bet Championship
Derby County moved up to second in the Championship after Darren Bent's second-half brace saw off a defiant Blackburn Rovers side. The victory moves the Rams level on points with leaders Bournemouth, but behind them on goal difference.
Derby County: Grant, Shotton, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth, Hendrick ,Mascarell, Hughes, Dawkins (Bent), Martin, Ward (Bennett). Subs Not Used: Christie, Bryson, Roos, Albentosa, Warnock.
LAST COMPETITIVE MEETING
2014/15: Saturday 20th September, Championship: Derby County 2-2 Cardiff City
A revitalised and spirited Cardiff City came away from Derby County's iPro Stadium with a hard-earned 2-2 draw. An Aron Gunnarsson goal and a sublime Peter Whittingham effort saw Scott Young & Danny Gabbidon's Bluebirds take a 2-0 lead in the second half. Indeed, it was only a Craig Bryson wonder-goal five minutes from the end that denied City three points that they arguably deserved.
Derby County: Grant, Christie, Forsyth, Bryson, Keogh, Dawkins (Ibe), Martin, Ward (Russell), Eustace (Best), Whitbread, Hughes. Subs Not Used: Roos, Naylor, Shotton, Mascarell.
Cardiff City: Marshall, Brayford, Manga, Whittingham, Jones, Noone (Le Fondre), Connolly, Gunnarsson (Maynard), Adeyemi, Pilkington, Ralls. Subs Not Used: Moore, John, Daehli, Guerra, Morrison.
