Cardiff City vs Wigan Athletic - Match Preview
Cardiff City v Wigan Athletic
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium
Date: Tuesday 19th August 2014, 7.45pm KO.
Match-tag: #CARWIG (Live tweets on @CardiffCityFC)
LISTEN LIVE ON CARDIFF CITY PLAYER
Cardiff City welcome Wigan Athletic to the Welsh Capital for their second home match in succession. City currently have four points after two Sky Bet Championship matches this season, while Uwe Rosler's side will be looking to register a first league win of the season over fellow promotion contenders.
Tickets for the match are still available. Please call 0845 345 1400 or buy online now
MATCH FACTS
. Four City players could be in line to make their debut this evening - Anthony Pilkington, Sean Morrison, Kagisho Dikgacoi and Federico Macheda.
. Wigan's Don Cowie and Andrew Taylor both spent three years at Cardiff between 2011-14.
. Uwe Rösler preceded Ole Gunnar Solskjær as manager of Molde FK
. City's last win over Wigan Athletic came back in March 1997 when Simon Haworth scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory at Springfield Park.
. Latics winger Callum McManaman has scored two goals in two league games so far this season.
. Kenwyne Jones is currently top of the scoring charts for City with three goals in two games.
KEY OPPOSITION PLAYER: Callum McManaman
Twenty-three year old McManaman was named man of the match as Wigan won the FA Cup for the first time in a 1-0 shock win over Manchester City in 2013. The tricky winger has been linked with a move away from the DW Stadium since that incredible day but signed a new four-year deal with the Latics in October 2013. McManaman is a creative force in midfield and has already scored twice this season, including an incredible individual goal against Charlton Athletic last time out.
ONE TO WATCH: James McArthur
Scotland International McArthur joined the Latics in 2010 from Hamilton Academicals reuniting him with former teammate James McCarthy. McArthur was a virtual ever-present in the Wigan midfield last season and has already shown his tenacity in scoring a crucial last minute equaliser against Reading on the opening day of the season. With rumours of Premier League interest for McArthur, the Latics will do well to hold on to the talented twenty-six year old.
RECENT FORM (ALL COMPETITIONS)
Cardiff City: LLLDWW
Last match: Cardiff City 3-1 Huddersfield – Saturday 16th August 2014, Sky Bet Championship
Cardiff City returned to winning ways in their first home match of the new season, as goals from Peter Whittingham and a Kenwyne Jones double consigned managerless Huddersfield Town to a 3-1 defeat. Murray Wallace had the visitor's reply just before half time, but the Bluebirds' lead was rarely troubled.
Cardiff City: Marshall, Brayford, Hudson, Connolly, Fabio, Burgstaller (Gunnarsson, 55), Adeyemi, Whittingham, Daehli (Eikrem, 81), Jones (Guerra, 68), Le Fondre. Subs Not Used: Moore, Morrison, Kim, Maynard
Wigan Athletic: LDLDLL
Last match: Charlton 2-1 Wigan Athletic – Saturday 16th August 2014, Sky Bet Championship
Franck Moussa's ninety-third minute winner inflicted a second straight defeat on Wigan Athletic and gave Charlton their first league win of the season. Callum McManaman levelled the match with a fantastic individual goal after Jordan Cousins had put the Addicks ahead, but Moussa's deflected late effort ensured the hosts secured all three points.
Wigan Athletic: Carson, Taylor, Perch, Kiernan, Ramis, McArthur, Huws, Cowie (Espinoza, 78), Riera Magem (Maloney, 45), Fortune (Waghorn, 69), McManaman. Subs Not Used: Al-Habsi, Tavernier, Caldwell, Barnett.
LAST COMPETITIVE MEETING
2013/14: Saturday 15th February 2014, FA Cup – Cardiff City 1-2 Wigan Athletic
FA Cup holders Wigan kept up the defence of their crown by knocking City out to move into the last eight. Chris McCann turned in a low cross to put the Championship side ahead before Fraizer Campbell lashed in a leveller. Midfielder Ben Watson scored what turned out to be the winner before half time with a 25-yard piledriver.
Teams
Cardiff City: Marshall, Theophile, Taylor, Eikrem (Kim, 78), Caulker, Cala, Daehli, Medel (Cowie, 45), Campbell, Berget (Noone, 69), Zaha. Subs Not Used: Lewis, Turner, Gunnarsson, John.
Wigan Athletic: Al-Habsi, Perch, Beausejour, McCann, Ramis, Boyce, Watson (McEachran, 58), Espinoza, Gomez (Crainey, 78), McManaman (McCLean, 67), Fortune. Subs Not Used: Holgersson, Rogne, Nicholls, Barnett.
Tickets for the match are still available. Please call 0845 345 1400 or buy online now