MATCH PREVIEW - CITY v MANCHESTER CITY

All you need to know ahead of Sunday's big game

Cardiff City v Manchester City
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium
Date: 25th August 2013, KO 4pm
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Cardiff City Stadium welcomes Barclays Premier League football for the first time in its history on Sunday, as the Bluebirds take on early pace setters Manchester City in Sunday’s 4pm kick-off.

MATCH FACTS

-    Sunday’s meeting between Cardiff City and Manchester City is the first meeting between the two clubs in 19 years. The Bluebirds were victorious in that last meeting, a 1-0 win over the Citizens in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup in 1994, Nathan Blake scoring the winner.
-    This will be the 48th meeting between Cardiff City and Manchester City in all competitions. The Bluebrids have won on 8 occasions when the sides have met, with Manchester City winning 19, drawing 20.
-    If selected, Craig Bellamy will face his former club Manchester City where he spent two seasons and made 51 appearances in all competitions, scoring 15 goal.



RECENT NEWS

Scott Sinclair – Former Swansea City winger Scott Sinclair left Manchester City this week on a season-long loan deal to West Bromwich Albion.
Sinclair made 15 appearances in all competitions for City last season having joined from the Swans last summer.

TEAM NEWS

Manchester City: It was confirmed on Friday that Captain Vincent Kompany would be miss the clash with the Bluebirds with a a groin strain that looks likely to keep him out of action for the Citizens for up to four weeks, while new signing Stevan Jovetic is also a doubt to head to CCS on Sunday. Defender Matija Nastastic could be set for a return however having stepped up his recovery.

Cardiff City: The Bluebirds will have Andrew Taylor back in the squad having served his suspension that kept him out of last Saturday's opener with West Ham United. Andreas Cornelius also returned to training with the Bluebirds this week and is a part of a fully fit Bluebirds' squad available for selection on Sunday.

KEY PLAYER – Manchester City

Yaya Toure  -  The one-man engine room at the heart of the Manchester City midfield, Toure has been an ever present in the heart of the Blues midfield since joining the club in July 2010.
Making 134 appearances in all competitions since, scoring 29 goals, Yaya Toure’s combination of strength, pace and technique have seen him become one of the best midfield players in the country continuing that prowess on Monday night as he played a central role in the Citizens opening game victory over Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium; scoring the third of four goals for the home side on the night.



IN-FORM PLAYER

Manchester City – Sergio Aguero:  For Aguero to score 17 goals last season and be seen to have made less of an impact than the previous season perhaps underlines just how impressive the Argentinean strikers’ inaugural season in City’s 2011-12 Premier League winning campaign was.

48 goals in just 89 appearances in all competitions since arriving at the Etihad Stadium from Atletico Madrid in July 2011 perhaps underlines just the kind of pedigree the Bluebirds will face at Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday and he got this season off to the best possible start. A first-half strike, the Citizens second on the night helped secure that 4-0 win over the Magpies.

RECENT FORM (INCLUDING-PRE-SEASON):

Manchester City: WWWLLW
Last time out -  Manchester City got their season off to the best of starts with an impressive 4-0 win over Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium. Looking comfortable from the outset in Manager Manuel Pellegrini’s first game in charge, David Silva opened the scoring early in the first-half before goals from Aguero, Yaya Toure and Samir Nasri completed a comfortable opening three points.

Cardiff City:  WDLWWL
Last time out – City made their Barclays Premier League bow at Upton Park as the Bluebirds made their return to the top flight for the first time in 51 years. It was the home side who grabbed the early goal though, Joe Cole firing home with a neat turn and finish to put the Hammers ahead; Kevin Nolan made sure of the victory with his second half strike.

LAST MEETING:



1994 FA Cup Fourth Round, Ninian Park – Cardiff City 1-0 Manchester City
One of the most famous memories for any Bluebirds fan, then third tier City completed a fantastic cup upset at a packed Ninian Park thanks to a Nathan Blake wonder strike in the second half. Manchester City captain Keith Curle had the chance to level from the penalty spot soon after only to be denied by Mark Grew in the City goal to claim a momentous victory for the Bluebirds.

REFEREE: Lee Probert

Lee Probert has been part of the Select Group of referees since 2007, after a successful 11-year career as an official in the Football League.

In 2010, he became a FIFA-listed referee and is now eligible to officiate UEFA Internationals and matches in the Champions League and Europa League.