PREVIEW: WBA v CARDIFF CITY

City travel to the Hawthorns for a vital Premier League match

West Bromwich Albion v Cardiff City
Venue: The Hawthorns
Nav-it: B71 4LF
Date: Saturday, 29th March, KO 3pm
Match-tag: #WBACAR (Live tweets on @CardiffCityFC)
LISTEN LIVE ON CARDIFF CITY PLAYER

Cardiff City travel to the Hawthorns on Saturday for a vital Barclays Premier League clash with West Bromwich Albion with over 2,600 City fans expected to travel to support the boys.

MATCH FACTS

-    Peter Whittingham has scored in each of his last three encounters against the Baggies.
-    Young striker Saido Berahino remains the Baggies’ top goalscorer with four goals in the league this season, despite making 17 of his 24 appearances from the substitute’s bench.
-    Of the 53 encounters between the two sides in all competitions, City have won 17, drawn 14 and lost 22.
-    Cardiff have scored at least two goals in their last four away matches against West Brom in all competitions.
-    There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Cardiff's last three games in the Premier League.
-    West Brom have won just one of their last ten games at the Hawthorns; their last came against Newcastle United on New Year's Day.

KEY PLAYER: Youssouf Mulumbu



The Baggies’ most consistent performer in midfield this season alongside Claudio Yacob, Mulumbu has made 29 appearances in all competitions for the Albion this season and scored the winner in their vital victory over Swansea City two weeks ago. The DR Congo international has been at the Hawthorns for five years now, since joining from Paris St Germain permanently in July 2009.

ONE TO WATCH: Thievy Bifouma



Brought in on loan from La Liga side Espanyol on transfer deadline day, the 21-year old French forward has featured five times for the Baggies up front as they look to fill the void left by Shane Long’s departure in January. Thievy has scored once, in a 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace last month, and could partner former Everton frontman Victor Anichebe up front once more on Saturday.

RECENT FORM (ALL COMPETITIONS):

Cardiff City: LLLWLL
Last time out: Cardiff City 3-6 Liverpool – Saturday, 22nd March, Barclays Premier League.



Three second half goals saw title challengers Liverpool finally find a way to beat a determined City side 6-3 in a goal filled match at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Team - Cardiff City: Marshall, Fábio, Caulker, Cala, Théophile-Catherine, Medel, John (Dæhli, 65), Mutch, Kim (Zaha, 65), Campbell, Bellamy (Jones, 70).  Subs not used: Lewis, Turner, Whittingham, Gunnarsson. 

West Brom:  LDDLWL
Last time out: Hull City 2-0 West Bromwich Albion – Saturday 22nd March, Barclays Premier League.



First-half strikes from Liam Rosenior and Shane Long were enough to claim victory for the Tigers at the KC Stadium, as Republic of Ireland international Long scored against his former club for the first time since departing the Hawthorns in January.

Team – West Brom: Foster, Ridgewell, McAuley (Sinclair, 79), Reid, Dawson, Morrison, Dorrans, Sessegnon, Mulumbu, Anichebe (Berahino, 76), Thievy (Vydra, 61). Subs not used: Myhill, O'Neil, Daniels, Gera.

LAST COMPETITIVE MEETING:

2013/14: Saturday, 14st December 2013, Barclays Premier League – Cardiff City 1-0 West Brom



A Peter Whittingham header earned three vital points for Cardiff City as the Bluebirds saw off West Bromwich Albion by a goal to nil in a close-fought encounter at Cardiff City Stadium.

Teams - Cardiff City: Marshall, Théophile-Catherine, Turner, Caulker (capt), Taylor, Whittingham, Medel (Gunnarsson 87), Mutch, Noone, Odemwingie (Kim 90), Campbell (Maynard 82). Subs not used: Lewis, Hudson, Cornelius, Cowie.

West Bromwich Albion: Myhill, Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell, Mulumbu, Yacob (Sinclair 74), Amalfitano (Berahino 73), Sessègnon, Brunt, Long (Vydra 88). Subs not used: L. Daniels, Gera, Morisson, Lugano.

REFEREE: Michael Oliver

At just 25 years of age, Michael Oliver became the youngest referee in Premier League history when he took charge of Birmingham City’s clash with Blackburn Rovers in August 2010, and he has remained a top flight official ever since.

Oliver last officiated a City match back in December, taking charge of the Bluebirds’ 0-0 draw with Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.