Cardiff City vs Newcastle United preview


Neil Warnock's feud with Rafa Benitez dates back to 2007
Cardiff City will be looking for home advantage to give them the edge against Newcastle United as both teams are looking for their first win of the season. 

The game also sees Neil Warnock and Rafa Benitez lock horns once again as they renew their decade-long rivalry on Saturday. 

The tension between the two managers started back in 2007 when Warnock was in charge of Sheffield United and Benitez was in charge of Liverpool respectively. Warnock had accused Benitez of disrespecting his side when the Spaniard played a completely weakened side against them, following Sheffield United's relegation from the Premier League.

The previous game for Sheffield United, Manchester United played a weakened team due to them being in an FA Cup final which Warnock understood to a certain extent but was angered by the fact that Liverpool opted to play a weakened side with their respective Champions League Final 18 days away

Warnock in 2007 stated:

"At least I knew the players that were playing. I didn't even know two of those that played for Liverpool at Fulham last week. I'd never heard of them but when you are a foreign manager like Rafa Benitez, you probably don't give two hoots about what Sheffield United think."
These comments by Warnock at the time were in conjunction with the fact that West Ham United was seemingly about to escape relegation despite the questions surrounding Carlos Tevez's eligibility to play and his inevitable role in helping The Hammers survive on the last day of the season.
Warnock still had a form of bitterness towards Benitez in 2011 when he said "I was disappointed in Benitez. I've always got on with the previous people and Kenny Dalglish is fantastic. But I'll never forgive Benitez for playing what wasn't even a reserve team."
In terms of the head to head battle between the two managers, Benitez is currently undefeated with four wins and a draw out of their five meetings with Warnock looking to rectify that come Saturday lunchtime.

The Bluebirds started their campaign back in the top flight with a 2-0 defeat against Bournemouth, whereas The Magpies kicked off their season with a 2-1 defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur.

In their last six games stretching back to last season, Cardiff picked up three wins out of their last six, whereas Newcastle have only picked up one win in their last six and that was a 3-0 win over Chelsea on the last day of the last season.


Team News


Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock may rotate his forward options after his side failed to register a shot on target against Bournemouth last weekend.
Kenneth Zohore, who scored nine goals in the Championship last season, is nearing a return from a groin injury and could start.
DeAndre Yedlin is a doubt for Newcastle after the right-back sustained a knee injury in the home defeat by Tottenham.
Javier Manquillo may deputise for him.




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