MATCH PREVIEW: CARDIFF CITY vs BURNLEY
Match Previews
28th November
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium
Date: Saturday 28th November, 3pm K.O.
THE OPPOSITION
Burnley have won five and drawn three of their last eight matches and sit in fifth place, as Sean Dyche’s men seek an immediate return to the Premier League.
Andre Gray’s form since his Club-record signing from Brentford has been pivotal in the Clarets rise up the division. The forward has netted nine goals since his arrival, and is top scorer in the league having also scored twice for the Bees at the beginning of the season.
A settled back line has also aided Burnley’s promotion hopes, while Joey Barton and David Jones have impressed in the engine room.
CLUB CONNECTIONS
Former Bluebird Tom Heaton makes a welcome return to Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Burnley stopper made sixty-four appearances in two separate spells at City, most notably starring in the 2011/12 Football League Cup as the Bluebirds reached the final.
Another player to pull on both shirts is Steve Thompson. The Scotland international forward scored seventeen goals for City (including a brace on his début against Burnley!) before joining the Clarets and netting eighteen times.
Meanwhile, Peter Whittingham will be playing against a former side for the second match in succession. As a youngster, Whitts had loan spells at Derby County and Burnley from his only other former Club, Aston Villa. He made a total of nine appearances for the Lancashire side back in 2005.
MEMORABLE MEETING
Burnley 3-3 Cardiff City
Turf Moor, 26th April 2008
The Bluebirds came from two goals behind to secure a 3-3 draw at Turf Moor, with Aaron Ramsey scoring his first League goal for City.
Burnley took the lead just after the half hour mark as Graham Alexander slotted home, the referee overruling the linesman’s decision to flag Ade Akinbiyi offside in the move.
After the interval, the Clarets looked to have wrapped the game up when Andy Cole slotted in from close range to double their advantage.
However, City turned things round inside fifteen minutes as Joe Ledley pulled one back from the spot before Aaron Ramsey rifled an effort into the top corner from the edge of the box.
There was still time for plenty of drama, as Clarke Carlisle restored Burnley’s lead in the 86th minute, before Steve Thompson finished from a corner to level things up.
In the final minute, Darren Purse was sent off for a tackle on Andy Cole. The red card was rescinded though, allaying fears that he would be unable for selection in the FA Cup Final.
Burnley: Jensen, Alexander, Carlisle, Caldwell, Jordan, Elliott (MacDonald 79), James O'Connor, McCann (Gudjonsson 77), Blake (Mahon 87), Akinbiyi, Cole.
Subs Not Used: Kiraly, Duff.
Cardiff City: Enckelman, Blake, Purse, Loovens, Capaldi, Ramsey, McPhail (Ledley 45), Sinclair, Scimeca, Hasselbaink (Whittingham 67), Thompson.
Subs Not Used: McNaughton, Rae, Johnson.
DON'T MISS A MOMENT
TICKETS: Season Ticket Holders can bring U16s to the match vs the Clarets FREE OF CHARGE! Find out how claim yours here.
Online:www.eticketing.co.uk/cardiffcityPhone: 0845 345 1400
LISTEN: Supporters can listen in live on Cardiff City Player HD* for all the action from City vs Burnley.
WATCH: Extended highlights of the match will be available to subscribers of Cardiff City Player HD*
SOCIAL: Live updates from CCS will come via our official Twitter account, @CardiffCityFC.
*Search ‘Cardiff City’ on the App Store and Google Play Store to view Cardiff City Player HD on Smart Phones, with content available to subscribers 24/7.
