Cardiff vs Southampton: Preview and Predictions

Match day is finally upon us and the Saints march into Cardiff to take on the Bluebirds for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s first match in charge of the Red and White.

The Austrian will look to show the supporters what he offers to the club but on a short work it would have been tough for him to fully implement his tactics for this match. The players, undoubtedly, will still be flying around the pitch looking to impress and show the new manger they are able and willing to succeed under him.

Cardiff City come into the match off a back of a 3-1 loss to West Ham in the midweek matchups. They will look to bounce back at home and take advantage of one of the few teams that are lower than them on the table to help them recover some safety from the bottom three.

Let us take a look at how both teams can win this match.

Why Cardiff will win

Cardiff are a physical team that look to grind out games to secure points. They have a number of players who do especially well in the air and that could work out well in their favor against Southampton who have been plagued on set pieces and crosses.

As identified in the opposition threats article, players like Sol Bamba and Callum Paterson are deadly in the air and if the Saints are not careful will concede to one if not both of these players if Cardiff can get enough set piece opportunities.

Defensively, Cardiff concede a good bit. Allowing 30 goals so far this season. If they can shut down Southampton’s attack and force them to take shots outside of the box they should have no trouble defending against a team like Southampton whose conversion rate is so poor.

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• Rain clouds on the horizon? Southampton beat Plymouth Argyle
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Why Southampton will win

A new manager means new life for a club who are in the relegation zone but have the talent to finish top half. Ralph Hasenhuttl could not ask for a better opponent to start his tenure off with than Cardiff. A team that does not score often and concedes a lot would be a prime choice for any manager to start his Premier League career with.

Players like Nathan Redmond, Mohamed Elyounoussi and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg will have a new lease on life under the Austrian and will excel in his tactics. Southampton already create a lot of chances and are poised to create even more under Hasenhuttl as the high press and quick strike characteristics of his style of play will only benefit the players on the roster like a Redmond or a Lemina. Look for Southampton to score multiple goals this game.

On the defensive side of the ball, if Hasenhuttl was able to address the weakness on set pieces and crosses the Saints should be able to lock down Cardiff and not allow them many clear cut chances all afternoon. It will be interesting to see who starts in the back but they will have a big job at hand in holding the Cardiff big men from destroying the Saints in the air.

Southampton should control this game in all aspects from possession to shots and will hopefully start Hasenhuttl’s career off on the right foot and get the ball rolling on the rest of the season and a comfortable finish on the table.

Predicted Lineups

Cardiff: 4-1-4-1

Goalkeeper: Neil Etheridge

Defenders: Bruno Ecuele Manga, Sean Morrison, Sol Bamba, Greg Cunningham

Midfielders: Aaron Gunnarsson, Kadeem Harris, Victor Camarasa, Joe Ralls, Josh Murphy

Forwards: Callum Paterson

Southampton: 4-2-2-2

Goalkeeper: Alex McCarthy

Defenders: Cedric Soares, Jack Stephens, Jan Bednarek, Ryan Bertrand

Midfielders: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Mario Lemina, Mohamed Elyounoussi, Stuart Armstrong

Forwards: Nathan Redmond, Michael Obafemi

Cardiff 0-2 Southampton