Entering round six of the Premier League (PL) outside the relegation zone on goal difference only, Cardiff can only dig deep and hope for a miracle to get their first win of the season. Meanwhile, reigning PL champions Manchester City roll up to Cardiff City Stadium after a shock 2-1 loss at home to Lyon in the Champions League this week.
Cardiff (17th) are one of four teams without a win (D2, L3), and have only scored three goals so far. Worryingly, the team has only created four big chances outside the goals they have actually scored, suggesting that their impotence in front of goal is not due to bad luck.
City, meanwhile, have no problem creating chances, missing the highest number of clear-cut chances (15) of all PL teams. City also won five out of six matches against newly promoted teams last season, and thus confidence should be high for Guardiola’s men – despite their loss to Lyon.
The English champions set a new record for scored goals last season (106; 2.8 on average per match) and have 14 in five so far (a joint-high in the PL). Ultimately, Cardiff can expect no quarter, and City’s exact winning margin seems to be the primary consideration here.
Players to watch: Danny Ward has led the line in his last two matches for Cardiff, finding the net against Arsenal in his club’s last home match.
LIVE STREAMING CARDIFF CITY VS MANCHESTER CITY 22.9.2018
Meanwhile, Raheem Sterling has scored in two straight PL matches for City, netting three in four PL starts so far.
Stat attack: ‘The Citizens’ (MCI) have won 42 of their previous 52 PL matches (W42, D6, L4).
Cardiff were a solid home team last season (W16, D4, L3) and conceded the fewest home goals (16) in the Championship.
City have registered 119 shots in their last five PL matches, which is 25 more than any other team over the same period.
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