Match Pack: Cardiff vs Saints
Saints made it three wins from three at St Mary's last week, and will now look to continue their strong run on the road with a trip to Cardiff City. Get set for the visit to Wales with our Match Pack...
THE MATCH
Cardiff vs Saints
Sky Bet Championship
Cardiff City Stadium
Saturday 20th April, 3pm BST
THE OFFICIALS
Referee: Oliver Langford
Assistants: Hristo Karaivanov and Craig Taylor
Fourth official: Stephen Martin
WHERE TO WATCH
Due to the 3pm blackout here in the UK and Ireland, Saturday's clash is only available on Saints Play to those internationally:
Alternatively, fans both internationally and in the UK and Ireland can purchase an audio pass which will cover the month for £4.49:
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Those crucial nine points from nine over the last week has put Russell Martin's side firmly back in the conversation for the automatic places, sitting four points off Leicester City in second with a game in hand.
Another victory on Saturday would continue to put pressure on the three sides above Saints in the standings, setting up a mouthwatering clash with Leicester on Tuesday night.
Back on the road with another sold out following, hoping to build on recent form. (Photo: Matt Watson)
TEAM NEWS
Russell Martin confirmed that goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu will be out of action for "nine to ten months" after rupturing his Achilles tendon in the warm-up prior to the Preston game in midweek.
THE MANAGERS
Erol Bulut: "It will be a good motivation to play against Southampton, they are one of those teams who are in the play-offs; they are very close, they have played one game less than the top teams.
"Of course, they will try to get points here, but even if we have a lesser squad, we will try to make it as difficult as possible to get points from our side.”
Russell Martin: "Everyone is feeling good. We’re feeling confident in the place we’re in. Tomorrow is a completley different game. It’s become clearer and clearer game on game that the next three don’t matter if we don’t win tomorrow.
"Teams play with real freedom sometimes when they don’t have a lot to play for in terms of promotion or relegation. Every game is tough in this division and this will be a tough one."
TOP SCORERS
Cardiff CIty
Goals:
Ng, Grant, Etete 6
Ugbo, Bowler, Goutas 4
Colwill, Wintle, Ramsey 3
Assists:
Joe Ralls 7
Ng, Colwill, Wintle, Collins 4
Karlan Grant 3
Southampton
Goals:
Adam Armstrong 20
Ché Adams 17
Ryan Fraser 8
Assists:
Adam Armstrong 13
Stuart Armstrong 7
Ché Adams 5
ONES TO WATCH
Rubin Colwill: The 21-year-old Welshman has already played over 100 games for the club despite his age, and is highly rated by Bluebirds supporters. This season, he has three goals and four assists in all competitions, with two of those assists coming in the last two games.
Ryan Manning: After coming off the bench to swing in the corner for Flynn Downes's dramatic 99th-minute winner against Watford, Manning backed up his cameo with a solid display against Preston in midweek.
Along with manager Russell Martin, the former Swansea full-back is returning to fierce ex-rivals Cardiff for the first time since joining Saints and will want to continue his impressive personal streak having featured in three of five wins in a row against them.
Ryan Manning celebrates against Watford. (Photo: Isabelle Field)
HEAD TO HEAD
Played: 56
Saints: 20
Draws: 15
Cardiff: 21
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
December 2023: Saints 2-0 Cardiff (A. Armstrong 2)
February 2019: Saints 1-2 Cardiff (Stephens)
December 2018: Cardiff 1-0 Saints
April 2014: Saints 0-1 Cardiff
December 2013: Cardiff 0-3 Saints (Rodriguez 2, Lambert)
DID YOU KNOW?
After winning the reverse fixture 2-0 back in December, Saints will be looking to record a league double over Cardiff City for the first time since the 1965/66 season.
Cardiff City have failed to win any of their five league games this season against sides who were relegated from the Premier League last term (D1 L4), losing both of their home matches without scoring.
KEEP UP TO DATE
Unable to make the trip to Wales? We’ve got you covered! We’ll bring you all the behind-the-scenes content alongside the in-game action as Saints meet Cardiff City.
Check out our interactive match centre at southamptonfc.com, with live streaming of the game, key updates and audio commentary of the match, and be sure to download the official Saints app and follow us on social media for further updates and exclusive content:
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