MATCH FACTS: CARDIFF vs CHARLTON

Club News

Cardiff City vs Charlton Athletic
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium
Date: Saturday, 7th March 2015, 3:00pm

Cardiff City host Charlton Athletic for the first time since securing promotion against the South Londoners back in April 2013. This match is sure to be a tough battle with one point, two places and a single goal separating the Bluebirds and the Addicks.

MATCH FACTS
  • Former Cardiff City favourite Roger Johnson could play for Charlton on Saturday
  • Kiko Macheda netted his sixth of the season for City on Tuesday, while Conor McAleny opened his account as a Bluebird
  • City and Charlton drew 1-1 on Boxing Day in the reverse fixture
  • Bluebirds stalwart Peter Whittingham is available for selection after missing Tuesday's win over Rotherham
  • Charlton's last win over Cardiff in South Wales was all the way back in December 2007
KEY OPPOSITION PLAYER: Igor Vetokele
Angolan international forward Vetokele joined the Addicks from FC Copenhagen in the summer months and it didn't take long for him to settle into life at the Valley. Vetokele has netted on 11 occasions during his first season, last scoring on February 20th in the 3-0 win over Wigan Athletic. He has recently been accompanied in attack by January signing Tony Watt, and this strike partnership looks set to continue on Saturday.

ONE TO WATCH: Tony Watt
As previously mentioned, Scotland U21 international Watt moved to South London in January after a six month spell with Standard Liege. He originally shot into the limelight after coming off the substitutes bench to score for Celtic during their 2-1 win over European giants FC Barcelona in 2012. A one-year loan with Lierse turned out to be slightly controversial for Watt, but he did manage to hit 10 goals in just 16 games for the club in 2013/14, awaking the attention of Liege. Watt has scored 3 times since joining Charlton, and has already impressed the Addicks support with his work ethic and technical ability.
RECENT FORM (ALL COMPETITIONS)

Cardiff City: DDDWLW


Last time out: Rotherham United 1-3 Cardiff City – Tuesday, 3rd March 2015, Sky Bet Championship

A second successful away trip in succession for the Bluebirds, defeating Rotherham United, 3-1, at the New York Stadium. Bruno Ecuele Manga headed the Bluebirds into the lead on 23 minutes, before Federico Macheda doubled the advantage three minutes later with a deft half volley. Conor McAleny added a third goal with ten minutes of the half remaining, sealing an incredible first-half for Russell Slade's side.

Danny Ward headed home late in the second period for the Millers, but this consolation goal couldn't take the shine off a solid and dominant victory for the Bluebirds at the New York Stadium.

 Fabio, O'Keefe, Harris, Noone.Subs Not Used: Marshall (Moore), Peltier, Connolly, Ecuele Manga, Morrison, Gunnarsson, Ralls, Kennedy, McAleny, Macheda (Doyle), Revell (Jones). Cardiff City:

LWWLWWCharlton Athletic: 


Last time out: Charlton Athletic 2-1 Nottingham Forest – Tuesday, 3rd March 2015, Sky Bet Championship

The Addicks inflicted a first defeat on Forest manager Dougie Freedman, winning the match 2-1.

Bruno Ecuele Manga's Gabon international teammate Frederic Bulot opened the scoring early on with a 20-yard free-kick after Tony Watt was brought down. Michail Antonio equalised when he cut inside from the left and fired a low shot past Stephen Henderson. But Bulot turned in a Lawrie Wilson centre before the break to register a fourth win in five games.

Charlton Athletic: Henderson, Wilson (Bikey), Gomez, Diarra, Fox, Harriott (Eagles), Buyens, Cousins, Bulot, Vetokele (Lepoint), Watt. Subs Not Used: Church, Lennon, Dmitrovic, Ahearne-Grant.
LAST COMPETITIVE MEETING


2014/15: Friday, 26th December, Championship: Charlton Athletic 1-1 Cardiff City

Johann Berg Gudmundsson's 88th minute long range strike meant the Bluebirds were made to settle for a point against 10-men Charlton Athletic at the Valley on Boxing Day. Tom Adeyemi opened the scoring after 12 minutes, Aron Gunnarsson's long throw into the penalty area nodded on by Ben Turner with Adeyemi rising highest to head home his first Cardiff City goal.

Charlton's Boxing Day looked to have been made even more difficult on 33 minutes when Callum Harriott was sent from the field of play for a dangerous challenge on Craig Noone but a valiant second half display from the Addicks saw them claim a late share of the spoils thanks to Gudmundsson's effort.

Charlton Athletic: Etheridge, Solly, Gomez (Onyewu), Ben Haim, Bikey-Amougou, Gudmundsson, Buyens, Jackson (Vetokele), Cousins; Harriott, Tucudean. Subs Not Used: Pope, Wilson, Bulot, Ahearne-Grant, Fox.

Cardiff City: Marshall, Brayford, Turner, Morrison, John, Gunnarsson, Whittingham, Adeyemi (Ralls), Noone, Le Fondre (Harris), Jones. Subs Not Used: Moore, Fabio, Connolly, Manga, Macheda.

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