Match Preview | Cardiff City vs. Middlesbrough
Cardiff City welcome Middlesbrough to Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday afternoon in our last home match of the 2023/24 Sky Bet Championship season.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | IN THE DUGOUT
Middlesbrough’s manager is Michael Carrick, who has been in the position since October 2022.
In his playing career, Carrick started out at West Ham United, before going on to play for Tottenham Hotspur.
Moving to Manchester United in 2006, he made an impressive 464 appearances for the Red Devils, winning the Premier League on five occasions, as well as achieving Champions League glory in 2008.
Since retiring from playing, Carrick has previously been part of the coaching staff at Manchester United, before his move to the Riverside Stadium.
In his 85 matches in charge, the side have claimed victory on 42 occasions, a win percentage of 49.41%.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | SEASON SO FAR
The Riversiders arrive in South Wales currently sitting ninth in the table, with no mathematical chance of reaching the Play-Offs.
Carrick’s side have recorded 17 points less than their total at the end of last season, in which they finished fourth in the table.
Their last six fixtures have resulted in nine points, which leaves them ninth in the form table.
Last time out, Boro fell to a dramatic 4-3 defeat to Leeds United at the Riverside Stadium.
The side have been much better away from home this season, with their away form ranking sixth in the division, while their home record is 15th.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | KEY PLAYER
Middlesbrough’s most impressive player this season has undoubtedly been Emmanuel Latte Lath.
The Ivorian is the club’s top scorer, with 14 goals in the Sky Bet Championship, as well as contributing with two goals in their EFL Cup campaign.
The attacker joined the club in 2023 from Atalanta, having netted 14 goals on loan at St. Gallen last season.
Latte Lath heads into Saturday’s fixture in fine form, with six goals in his last four appearances.
CLUB CONNECTION | JOE BENNETT
Left-back Joe Bennett came through the ranks at Middlesbrough, before making his first team debut in May 2009.
The defender impressed during his time at the club and was awarded the Riversiders’ Young Player of the Year award in 2011.
Going on to make 85 league appearances for the side, Bennett had a permanent spell at Aston Villa, prior to moving to the Welsh capital in 2016.
A popular figure with the City faithful, the defender was part of the side that earned promotion to the Premier League in 2018, contributing with some fine performances.