Match Preview | Cardiff City vs. Norwich City
Cardiff City host Norwich City at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The fixture will take place on November 2nd, with a kick-off time of 3pm.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | IN THE DUGOUT
Norwich City’s manager is Johannes Hoff Thorup, who has been in the role since May this year.
Thorup began his coaching career at youth level at Danish side Akademisk Boldklub, before becoming youth coach at Nordsjælland.
In 2021, he was promoted to being First Team assistant at the club, working under Flemming Pedersen.
January 2023 saw him made the new manager of the club, succeeding Pedersen.
In his first full season in management last term, the side finished fourth in the Superliga, as well as reaching the semi-finals of the Danish Cup.
Moving to Carrow Road on a three-year deal, the side have won five of his 14 matches in charge.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | SEASON SO FAR
The Canaries head into Saturday’s fixture currently sitting eighth in the Sky Bet Championship table.
In the last six matches, the side have recorded ten points, seeing them place sixth in the second tier form table.
Their last three matches have all been draws, facing Stoke City, Preston North End and Middlesbrough.
Last time out against Boro, the contest ended in a dramatic 3-3 draw, with the Canaries coming back from 3-1 down to claim a point. With 87 minutes on the clock, midfielder Kenny McLean was sent off, meaning he will miss this weekend’s contest unless they appeal.
In terms of their away record, the side have amassed eight points from six matches, with their record on their travels ranking sixth in the division.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | KEY PLAYER
One of the standout players in the entirety of the Sky Bet Championship this season has been Borja Sainz.
The Spaniard is currently the league’s top scorer, with ten goals in just 12 matches, averaging a goal every 106 minutes. 41% of his shots this season have been on target.
Sainz has been a Canary since June 2023 from Turkish side Giresunspor and has impressed since making the move.
The winger produced another fine display against Middlesbrough last time out, netting a brace, with his goals coming in the ninth and 71st minute.
CITY FLASHBACK | SAWYERS NETS STUNNER
The Bluebirds hosted the Canaries on the opening day of the 2022/23 season.
Making his City debut that day was midfielder Romaine Sawyers, who joined the Club from West Bromwich Albion.
His first outing in a Cardiff City shirt was a memorable one, as his second half strike from distance found the bottom corner.
Despite some talented attacking players posing a threat for the visitors on the day, City produced a fine defensive showing to secure all three points.
After the full-time whistle, when reflecting on his goal, Romaine said: “I couldn’t have planned for it to be any better as an individual. And then, as a team, it’s always nice to get a win.
“As long as it goes in, and it benefits the team, we’re all okay! I think from when I hit it, to when it hit the back of the net, it was almost a slow-mo moment!”