Wimbledon v. Cardiff City - Match Preview

The Dons made the highly controversial move to the ground in Milton Keynes a few weeks ago, and so far they have been drawing in some substantial gates, despite the majority of fans at their old fan base now supporting non-league AFC Wimbledon!

The Bluebirds take on the side propping up the league table in excellent form, with no league defeat in 6 matches. However, Wimbledon have shown sides of improvement in recent weeks with an impressive 3 wins from their last 5 games. This mini run of form follows an incredible drought of 12 games without a win - having some fans appears to be paying off!

Lennie Lawrence will be forced to make one unwanted change to the Cardiff City line-up. Skipper Graham Kavanagh will definitely miss out due to heavy bruising to his ankle sustained while on international duty with Ireland, but his successor in the midfield is not yet known. The captains arm-band will probably be taken by the influential John Robinson.

The travelling City support may get to see Peter Thorne back in action tomorrow. The record City signing has been out for the last few weeks due to injury, but with Gavin Gordon only providing mixed form in Thorne's absence, Lawrence may elect to throw the man with the magic hat straight back into the ring! Rhys Weston may also return to the match-day squad for the Bluebirds.

Lennie Lawrence will consider resting Daniel Gabbidon and Robert Earnshaw for the clash, after an emotionally draining time away with the Welsh national side. However, after only playing 25 minutes of the second-leg I should have thought Earnshaw would start. Spencer Prior or James Collins may replace Cwmbran-born Gabbidon at the back.

As for the home side, Wimbledon's reserve 'keeper is our injured meaning 17-year-old youngster David Martin joins the Dons squad. Jobi McAnuff could return but Darren Holloway, Alex Tapp, Michael Gordon and Malvin Kamara all have flu, so are all slight doubts.

If he is in attendance, the reception City owner Sam Hammam receives from the home supporters will be very interesting. He is now public enemy #1 with the old Wimbledon fans. Hammam's sale of the club to a Icelandic consortium started the demise of the club. However, most of the old Crazy gang are now enjoying the thrills of non-league football, and the locals at Milton Keynes may be grateful to Hammam for giving them a league club to support!

The two clubs have only ever met four times in competitive action in history. The last meetings were over two legs in the Second Round of the League Cup in the 1999/2000 relegation season. City stunned the Premiership side with an impressive 1-1 draw in the opening leg, Super Kevin Nugent netted Cardiff's goal from the penalty spot, but the Dons fought back in the second-leg to go through 4-2 on aggregate.

The visit to Milton Keynes is the start of a very busy week for the Bluebirds, who play 3 matches in the next 8 days. West Bromwich Albion, one of the leagues flagship sides, visit Ninian Park this coming Tuesday, before the improving Ipswich Town head to Wales the next Saturday.

Just over 1,000 Bluebird supporters are expected to make the journey tomorrow, including reports from BTTB, of course! The planned boycott from some City fans thankfully appears to have fallen through. Although I don't agree with such things as franchising in British football, it really does have nothing to do with us!

The man in the middle for tomorrow's game will be Howard Webb. Webb, controlling his third Football League fixture of the season, was the man in charge for City's 1-0 Play-off final victory over Queens Park Rangers back in May. The linesman will be Guy Beale of Somerset and Andy Woolmer of Northants.

Bluebird to the Bone Prediction - Wimbledon MK 0-2 Cardiff City
I expect it to be tough for City tomorrow, but Wimbledon have been struggling to finish off chances, and I can see City coming away with three points. The pressure will be on, despite player fatigue after the international games, but if City are to challenge in the top half this season, then this is the sort of game where a win is needed.

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