MATCH PREVIEW: FULHAM vs CARDIFF CITY
Match Previews
19th August
Cardiff City travel to Craven Cottage on Saturday for their second away Sky Bet Championship fixture of the season. The Bluebirds will be looking to build on their mid-week 2-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers at Cardiff City Stadium.
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE!
THE OPPOSITION
Fulham have started the season well and currently occupy fourth place in the Championship table, ten places above the Bluebirds. The Cottagers began the campaign with a surprise 1-0 victory over Newcastle United and followed that up with successive victories over Leyton Orient and Preston North End in the EFL Cup and Championship respectively.
On Tuesday it appeared they were on their way to a fourth consecutive win when Tom Cairney put his side ahead in the second half away to Leeds United. However, the Cottagers conceded an injury time leveller from United’s Chris Wood, who scored with a spectacular overhead kick to ensure the spoils were shared.
The Bluebirds will have to be wary of striker Matt Smith on Saturday. The 6'6" forward has scored in both of his side’s league wins so far, with his aerial prowess providing a real handful for defenders.
CLUB CONNECTIONS
The two clubs exchanged defenders in the summer transfer window with full back Scott Malone leaving to join the Cottagers and Wales international, Jazz Richards going the opposite way to link up with Paul Trollope’s men. So far, Malone has featured in both of Fulham's Championship wins against Newcastle United and Preston North End.
Other players to have represented both the Bluebirds and the Cottagers in recent years include, Kagisho Dikacoi, Eddie Johnson, Heidar Helguson and Junichi Inamoto.
MEMORABLE MEETING
Fulham 1-2 Cardiff City
Premier League, 28th September, 2013
The Bluebirds recorded their first Premier League away win in dramatic fashion, thanks to a superb injury-time winner from Jordon Mutch.
City started brightly and put Fulham on the back foot straight away with a succession of set pieces. It didn’t take long for this pressure to pay dividends as Peter Whittingham whipped in a dangerous corner that was headed in by Steven Caulker.
The Bluebirds continued to create chances but were pegged back just before the interval. Bryan Ruiz, a first half substitute, collected the ball before beating David Marshall from twenty-five yards with a fantastic curling effort.
City were frustrated in the second half and the game appeared to be heading for a draw but Jordon Mutch had other ideas. The midfielder picked up David Marshall’s lofted pass before turning inside to fire a magnificent winner past David Stockdale in the Fulham goal - a fitting way to secure City’s first top-flight away win in 52 years.
AWAY DAY FACTS
- The Club was formed in 1879 as Fulham St Andrews, and became simply Fulham in 1888.
- In 1975, as a Second Division team, Fulham contested the FA Cup final for the only time in their history, going down 2-0 to West Ham United.
- The Cottagers reached the final of the Europa League in the 2010/11 season, eventually losing 2-1 to Atlético Madrid, after extra time.
- Fulham lost both their top goal scorers from last season over the summer. 23-goal Ross McCormack moved to newly-relegated Aston Villa and Moussa Dembélé moved north of the border to join Celtic.
DON'T MISS A MOMENT!
LISTEN: Supporters can listen in live on Cardiff City Player HD* for all the action from Fulham vs City.
WATCH: Extended highlights of the match will be available to subscribers of Cardiff City Player HD*
SOCIAL: Live updates from Craven Cottage 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.
