PREVIEW: Cardiff v Swans

3rd November


The Swans will be hoping history can repeat itself when they take on rivals Cardiff on Sunday (4pm).

It is the first time that the two sides have met in the Premier League - with this weekend's encounter being the 106th south Wales derby.

In the corresponding fixture three years ago, the Swans won 1-0 at the Cardiff City Stadium thanks to a Marvin Emnes goal.

That was in the Championship, but now the two clubs meet on the biggest stage of all - the Barclays Premier League.

Cardiff have won twice since winning promotion to the top flight - the stand-out moment being the 3-2 victory over Manchester City back in August.

However, they have won just one of their last seven games against Swansea on home soil.

Michael Laudrup's side have an identical record to this time last year (W3, D2, L4), with their only defeats coming against Manchester United, Spurs, Arsenal and Southampton.


TEAM NEWS

Cardiff have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the derby, with Andreas Cornelius being the only absentee.

Meanwhile, Swans midfielder Jonjo Shelvey returned to training this week after a hamstring problem. 


WHAT THEY SAID

Cardiff boss Malky Mackay: "It's the first time we've played in the top level and that's special for everyone in south Wales.

"It's only three points. It's another Premier League team coming to the stadium, but there is a lot of importance attached to the game."


Swans boss Michael Laudrup: "I don't think there is ever a great favourite when you talk about derbies. One can be on top, in better form and have more points, but for that 90 minutes, it doesn't matter because a derby is a special game. 

"Wherever you go around the world, whether it is in Wales, Spain, Denmark or Italy, the derby has one thing in common, and that is the importance to the fans. 

"When you know how important something is to a lot of people, then that affects you as a player and as a person because you know you are representing them." 


CARDIFF STATS

  • Cardiff kept only their second Premier League clean sheet last weekend, against Norwich
  • The Bluebirds have faced more shots (174) than any other team in the Premier League this season
  • Only Aston Villa and Manchester United (both six) have gained more points from losing positions than Cardiff this season (four)

SWANSEA STATS

  • Swansea have only won two of their last seven games in all competitions
  • Only three of Swansea's 12 Premier League goals this season have come in the first half
  • Wilfried Bony and Michu have scored more goals between them (13) than the entire Cardiff squad combined this term (12)

** Don't forget, you can follow live updates from the Cardiff City Stadium on Twitter via @SwansOfficial or the official website.

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