|
|
| |
The Bluebirds begin their FA Cup campaign at the Cardiff City Stadium against fellow Championship club Fulham on Sunday morning. Cardiff will be hoping for a much-improved run in the competition this season after being dumped out by Shrewsbury Town last season.
Neil Warnock’s men come into this one on the back of an impressive home win against a rejuvenated Aston Villa, on Monday.
Cardiff are expected to make a number of changes to the starting line-up as Neil Warnock gives fringe players a chance to impress. The Bluebirds’ faithful are expected to see Jazz Richards return to action after a lengthy injury lay off – the Welsh international hasn’t yet featured under Warnock.
This is the fifth consecutive FA Cup tie that Cardiff City have been drawn at home, but they have lost three of the previous four.
Joe Ralls scored the opening goal in Cardiff's last FA Cup win (3-1 v Colchester in January 2015), which was also his last appearance in the competition.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
When asked if he is going to field a strong starting XI in the Emirates FA Cup on Sunday, Slavisa Jokanovic confirmed that he would.
“Yes, I am going to choose from the players who are available for the game, our best team,” he explained.
He will be without a number of First Teamers for the meeting with Cardiff City, though. Floyd Ayité and Neeskens Kebano are away on international duty, while Tomas Kalas remains sidelined and fellow centre-back Michael Madl is a doubt.
“There is the possibility Michael Madl could be available to play some part of the game,” Jokanovic revealed. “We have to be careful with Kalas. I expect next game or the one after he is going to be available.”
On-loan striker Chris Martin remains out of contention, with Jokanovic stating: “You know my position, it’s the same as the Club’s and he is going to stay with us.
“This situation takes up so much energy, and I have more important things to think about. I’m not coaching only one player, I’m coaching 23 players. You know my position, and I don’t have any intention to change it.”
These two sides played out a 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage in a league meeting back in August.
Five of Fulham's last seven FA Cup ties have been taken to a replay following a draw in the original match.
Fulham's last win in the FA Cup dates back to January 2014, where they won 3-0 v Norwich (D4 L3 since then).
The Cottagers have kept just one clean sheet in their last 13 away games in this competition.
|
|
|
|
Source Fulham FC/insidewelshfootball