Match Preview | Preston North End vs. Cardiff City
Cardiff City travel to Deepdale to face Preston North End on Saturday afternoon (11/03), 3pm KO.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | IN THE DUGOUT
Preston North End’s current manager is Ryan Lowe, who was appointed in December 2021.
During his playing career, Lowe represented the likes of Shrewsbury Town, Bury, MK Dons, Tranmere Rovers and Crewe Alexandra.
Since moving to management, Lowe made an impression at Bury, where he led them to promotion to League One during his solitary season at the club.
After switching to Plymouth Argyle, Lowe earned another promotion, guiding the club to a third-placed finish to gain a place in League One.
Argyle competed well under Lowe in League One, which earned the manager a move to the second-tier, taking the hotseat at Deepdale.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | KEY PLAYER
Goalkeeper Freddie Woodman has impressed for the Lilywhites since signing in June 2022.
Prior to his move to Deepdale, Woodman spent eight years with Newcastle United, featuring on loan for Swansea City and Bournemouth.
So far this season, the shot-stopper has kept 15 clean sheets in 35 appearances, the second best record in the Championship after Coventry City goalkeeper Ben Wilson.
Woodman has also made 95 saves in the league so far this campaign, with a save percentage of 72%.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since the formation of the two clubs, the Bluebirds have faced the Lilywhites on 100 occasions.
The first ever meeting came in February 1922, with City claiming a 3-0 win thanks to goals from Ken MacDonald, Billy Grimshaw and Jimmy Gill.
Since then, the Bluebirds have claimed a further 38 wins, with 25 fixtures ending level, while the Lilywhites have tasted victory on 36 occasions.
In the reverse fixture back in August, the two sides couldn’t be separated, with the contest at Cardiff City Stadium ending goalless.
The Bluebirds took three points from Deepdale from their most recent visit in November 2021. Following Sean Maguire's opener two minutes in, second half goals from Mark McGuinness and James Collins secured three points for the visitors.
CLUB CONNECTION | GREG CUNNINGHAM
This weekend could see the Bluebirds go head-to-head with former left-back Greg Cunningham.
After representing the likes of Manchester City and Bristol City, the defender had a spell with Preston between 2015 and 2018, making over a century of league appearances for the club.
Cunningham joined the Bluebirds in June 2018 after City were promoted to the Premier League, signing a three-year contract.
After making 12 league appearances during his time in the Welsh capital, the left-back re-joined the Lilywhites on a permanent basis in February 2021.
