MATCH PREVIEW: CARDIFF CITY vs. PRESTON
Match Previews
31st January
Cardiff City welcome Preston North End to South Wales on Tuesday evening for their latest Sky Bet Championship fixture.
THE OPPOSITION
Preston, managed by Simon Grayson, arrive in the Welsh capital unbeaten in their last five league matches.
This run began in December with a 1-1 draw against Sheffield Wednesday on New Year’s Eve. They then followed that up with victories over Burton Albion and high flying Brighton and Hove Albion before drawing 2-2 away to Aston Villa.
Last time out, the Lilywhites drew 1-1 at home to Ipswich Town. Tom Lawrence, on loan with the Bluebirds last year, put Ipswich in front in the first half. Preston left it late but managed to equalise with around a minute of normal time remaining, Jordan Hugill scoring from close range to ensure the spoils were shared.
The Bluebirds beat Grayson's men at Cardiff City Stadium in 2016, with Anthony Pilkington netting twice from the penalty spot. Preston's last win in the Welsh capital came all the way back in November 2004.
CLUB CONNECTIONS
Paul Parry joined the Bluebirds from then-Conference side Hereford United in the 2004 January transfer window.
The lifelong Cardiff City supporter & winger played almost 200 games for City and started in the 2008 FA Cup Final against Portsmouth at Wembley. He left South Wales to join Preston in the summer of 2009, spending three years at Deepdale.
READ MORE ABOUT PAUL PARRY'S TIME AT CARDIFF CITY AND PRESTON NORTH END IN TUESDAY'S EDITION OF THE BLUEBIRD - OFFICIAL MATCH-DAY PROGRAMME
Other players to have represented both City and Preston include Eoin Doyle, Jon Parkin, Gareth Ainsworth and Kurt Nogan.
MEMORABLE MEETING
Preston paid their first visit to Cardiff City Stadium on 5th December 2009, with the Bluebirds looking to continue their push for Championship promotion.
City had the better of the chances in the first half, with Ricci Scimeca, Jay Bothroyd and Michael Chopra all close to making the vital breakthrough.
Nine minutes into the second half a terrific Chris Burke strike from outside the area flew past Andy Lonergan in the Preston goal to give City the lead. The Bluebirds saw the game out comfortably after that to record a 1-0 victory that sent them back into the Championship Play-Off places.
DON'T MISS A MOMENT
TICKETS: Online: www.eticketing.co.uk/cardiffcity Phone: 0845 345 1400
LISTEN: Supporters can listen in live on Cardiff City Player HD* for all the action from City vs. Preston.
WATCH: Extended highlights of the match will be available to subscribers of Cardiff City Player HD*
SOCIAL: Live updates from the Cardiff City Stadium 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.
