Cardiff City v. Preston North End - Match Preview
City v. Preston NE
By Chris O'Brien
December 9 2003
City could find themselves back in the play-off places with a win against Preston North End, who visit Ninian Park on Tuesday. With Julian Gray returning to Palace, Lawrence will have to field a makeshift midfield in a game the City boss may rest leading scorer Robert Earnshaw.
| Cardiff City v. Preston North End - Match Preview |
| The Bluebirds could go up
to 4th in the First Division table with a victory over Preston North End, in
a re-arranged fixture due to international call-ups. However, City will face
a difficult task with the Lancashire side currently sitting 10th in the
table, following an impressive 4-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday. Lennie Lawrence will need to field a makeshift midfield for the game, due to Julian Gray's departure and Graham Kavanagh, Gareth Whalley and Jason Bowen still injured. Mark Bonner is expected to come in for Gray, partnering Willie Boland in the centre of the park. John Robinson will switch to the left, with Richard Langley on the right flank. There are rumours than Lawrence might rest Robert Earnshaw for Tuesday's clash. The Zambian-born striker looked tired during City's 3-2 win over Stoke City, and missing one game may be good for the record breaking Bluebirds forward. He would be replaced by Gavin Gordon or Andy Campbell, but Lawrence has not commented on the stories of leaving out Earnshaw. The last meeting between the two clubs was back in the relegation season of 1999/2000. The Bluebirds were hammered 4-0 by a dominant Preston side, with one of their goals coming from Kurt Nogan. Times have changed since then, and City will be firm favourites for victory and a climb up the table. Tonight's First Divison fixtures, all re-arranged, are as follows: Bradford v. West Bromwich Albion Bluebird to the Bone Prediction - Cardiff City 2-0
Preston North End |