Cardiff City return to Sky Bet Championship action by hosting SUNDERLAND AT Cardiff City Stadium on Friday, March 29th, 3pm KO.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | IN THE DUGOUT
Following the departure of Michael Beale in February, Mike Dodds is currently interim head coach of Sunderland.
Since joining the club in 2021 as head of individual player development, this is Dodds’ third spell as interim coach.
He took charge after the departure of Lee Johnson in 2022, as well as following on from Tony Mowbray a year later.
Since Beale left the club last month, the side have drawn one and lost four, with Dodds still searching for the first win of his current spell.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | SEASON SO FAR
The Black Cats arrive in the Welsh capital currently sitting 12th in the Sky Bet Championship table.
Dodds’ side struggled before the international break, claiming just one point from the last five fixtures.
Their last result was a goalless draw against QPR, ending a run of six straight losses.
Sunderland have had difficulties away from home this season, claiming 17 points from 19 matches on their travels, a record that ranks 19th in the division.
In the reverse fixture at the Stadium of Light, the Bluebirds claimed a 1-0 victory with a late winner from Mark McGuinness.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | KEY PLAYER
The Black Cats’ standout player this season has been winger Jack Clarke.
Having joined the club on a permanent deal from Tottenham Hotspur in 2022, he has excelled ever since.
Clarke has 15 goals in the Sky Bet Championship this season, also contributing with four assists.
The winger has missed the last five matches with an ankle ligament injury, but could return to action this weekend.
CLUB CONNECTION | FRAIZER CAMPBELL
Striker Fraizer Campbell represented both the Bluebirds and the Black Cats during his career.
Having started out at Manchester United, Campbell had positive loan spells at Royal Antwerp and Hull City, prior to joining Sunderland in 2009.
The attacker spent four seasons with the Premier League outfit, netting six goals for the club.
Campbell became a Bluebird in January 2013 and made a dream start to life in the Welsh capital, scoring on debut against Leeds United. He also scored a brace on his home debut against Bristol City in the Severnside derby.
Having played a part in City’s promotion to the top-flight, the striker memorably netted twice in a famous 3-2 victory over Manchester City, scoring 16 goals in total for the club before moving on to Crystal Palace.