Emirates FA Cup R3 Match Preview | Cardiff City vs. Preston North End
Steve Morison's side welcome Preston North End to South Wales in Emirates FA Cup action on Sunday, January 9th, 2022 - 2pm KO!
The Bluebirds and Lilywhites are both entering the competition at this stage. As confirmed by the FA in December, replays have been scrapped for the Third and Fourth Rounds this season in the wider interest of football, to alleviate the possibility of fixture congestion following postponements in recent weeks and continued uncertainty ahead due to COVID-19.
Therefore, if this game is level after 90 minutes, we will go to extra time, and if required, penalties.
Cardiff City TV options
City's Emirates FA Cup Third Round fixture against Preston North End has been selected for broadcast by S4C and is not available to watch via Cardiff City TV.
Supporters can purchase Audio Passes covering this match only for £2.50!
Also available is the Monthly Audio Pass, which allows supporters to listen in for just £5! For audio throughout the season, purchase an Audio Only Season Pass for £45.
Reaction will be available free of charge on Cardiff City TV after the match, with free extended highlights the following day.
Our last meeting
The Bluebirds most recently played Preston North End in November in Steve Morison's first match as permanent manager.
City were behind at the interval after Sean Maguire's early goal, but second half efforts from Mark McGuinness and James Collins secured victory for the Bluebirds. Watch the highlights from this match above.
Opposition Focus | The boss
The Lilywhites have changed manager since we last played them. Ryan Lowe left Plymouth Argyle in fourth place in League One to take charge at Preston North End on December 7th, 2021.
This is Lowe's third managerial role, after starting his career in the dugout with Bury in 2018. He moved to Plymouth after one full season in charge at Gigg Lane. He immediately won promotion with Argyle in 2020.
Because of postponements, Lowe has only managed two games in his first month at the helm, but both have been successes. Preston defeated Barnsley, 2-1, at home on December 11th, before returning to action with a similarly scored victory, this time away at Stoke City, last Monday.
Lowe told Preston North End's official website of his love of the cup, saying: “First and foremost I love the FA Cup. It’s one of the best competitions in the country.
“I’ve always loved the FA Cup and I always want to try and strive to get into the echelons of the fourth and fifth round, and when you’re at a Championship football club you want to keep progressing to see where it takes you.
"We’re going to go to Cardiff, we’re high on confidence a little bit, we’ve had two fantastic wins, scored some good goals, but we know Cardiff are going to pose a big threat.”
Matchday Programme | Digital & Limited Print Run
We’re pleased to say that this coming Sunday’s official match programme will be available to supporters digitally and courtesy of a very limited print run.
With the game being played behind closed doors due to the recent Welsh Government restrictions placed upon professional clubs in Wales, supporters wishing to acquire a print version for their collections are asked to email retail@cardiffcityfc.co.uk. You will need to collect your programme in person via the Club Superstore (Saturday 8th January, 10am-4pm & Friday 14th January, 10am-4pm) but please note that the Superstore will not be open on matchday itself.
Print versions of the 28-page programme are priced at £2.50 and will be sold on a first come first served basis. The digital version is priced at £1.99 and is available on Desktop, mobile and tablet from zeeon.co.uk, 24 hours before KO.
Thank you for your continued support of the Bluebirds during this testing period. On behalf of The Bluebird editorial team, we wish you a Happy New Year.
