The Bluebirds travel to the Stadium of Light to take on Sunderland in Sky Bet Championship action on Saturday afternoon.
The fixture will take place on March 8th, with a kick off time of 3pm.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | IN THE DUGOUT
Sunderland’s manager is Régis Le Bris, who was appointed in July 2024.
The French boss started his managerial career at FC Lorient U19s in July 2012. He stayed in the role until 2015 when he was promoted to manager of Lorient B.
Le Bris continued as Lorient B boss until 2022, when he was promoted once again, this time to manager of FC Lorient's First Team.
He guided the side to a tenth-place finish in Ligue 1 in his first season at the helm, but the subsequent campaign he departed the French outfit following their relegation to Ligue 2.
At the start of this season, the former midfielder took over as Sunderland’s boss. He had a good start to life in the Championship, being named Manager of the Month in August following a 100% record.
Since taking charge at Sunderland, Le Bris has a win percentage of 48.65%, having won 18 games, drawn 11 and lost eight.
OPPOSITION FOCUS |SEASON SO FAR
Sunderland are currently fourth in the Sky Bet Championship.
The Black Cats have been a formidable force at home this season, only losing once in the league all campaign.
Le Bris' side have picked up an impressive 36 points out of a possible 51 at the Stadium of Light, making it a hard place to visit.
Last time out, the Black Cats defeated Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 away from home. A brace courtesy of Eliezer Mayenda was enough to secure all three points in Yorkshire and strengthen their promotion hopes.
CITY FLASHBACK | SECOND HALF DOMINANCE
In January 2018, the Bluebirds took on the Black Cats at Cardiff City Stadium looking to return to the automatic promotion places.
After 45 minutes, the score remained goalless, but an early second half header from Callum Paterson opened the floodgates for City that afternoon.
Not long later, current captain Joe Ralls made it two, firing home from the edge of the box with a fine strike to secure his seventh goal of the season.
The Bluebirds further extended their lead through Patterson, whose left-footed effort found the bottom right corner of the net to get his second of the match.
Just before the full-time whistle, Anthony Pilkington slotted home from close-range to secure a 4-0 win for the Bluebirds as they moved up to second place gathering crucial momentum towards promotion.
CLUB CONNECTION | MICHAEL CHOPRA
Michael Chopra represented both the Bluebirds and the Black Cats during his illustrious playing career.
Having come through the youth setup at Newcastle United, Chopra joined the Bluebirds in 2006 for his first stint at the Club.
The striker had an excellent first season in the Welsh capital, netting 22 times and getting 12 assists earning himself a place in the PFA Team of the Season.
His impressive goal scoring record at the Bluebirds earned him a moved to newly-promoted Sunderland in July 2007.
Chopra had a memorable debut at the Black Cats, netting an added-time winner against Tottenham Hotspur. He went on to score eight times for Sunderland.
Following two loan spells at City, Chopra returned to Cardiff City on a permeant basis two seasons later in 2009.
The striker's return to the Bluebirds was memorable, scoring on his second debut and finishing the season with 16 goals.
During his time at the Club, Chopra made 159 appearances, scoring 63 goals in all competitions.