Manchester City vs Cardiff: Pep Guardiola's side bid to return to top

Manchester City will go top of the Premier League if they beat Cardiff at the Etihad on Wednesday night.

Pep Guardiola's side will top the table, for three days at least, if they can continue their fine record against Cardiff, against whom they are unbeaten in seven home games, live on Sky Sports Premier League on Wednesday from 7pm (kick-off 7.45pm).

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The Bluebirds' lowly position, 18th in the Premier League table and five points adrift from safety, will not guarantee the reigning league champions victory though, according to the City boss.

"They are not a team that is already done," he said. "They have spirit and what they do they do well. We know how we are going to play. For us it is a final - every single game."

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Cardiff will be hopeful to avoid a repeat of their late defeat to Chelsea on Sunday, when Cesar Azpilicueta's equaliser was controversially allowed to stand despite the defender being several yards offside.

Manager Neil Warnock, whose side remain five points inside the relegation zone following that defeat, renewed his attack on Premier League referees chief Mike Riley in the build-up to Wednesday's game.

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"I always thought Mike Riley was a manufactured referee from day one," Warnock said. "I don't think he's changed since then. He's been coached manufactured, almost like a robot.

"He knows everything about the rules, but I feel these people struggle to understand the game and the human element. A lot of referees are like Mike Riley and that's why I think we have gone backwards."

Team news

Sergio Aguero will miss City's second game in five days after limping out of their 2-0 win at Fulham on Saturday, while Fabian Delph is also not fit to return.

There could be a recall for Benjamin Mendy, however, more than two months since his last appearance against Burton in January.

Cardiff have no new injury worries for the Premier League trip to champions Manchester City.

Warnock had warned after Sunday's controversial 2-1 defeat to Chelsea that he would play his under-23 side at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

But Warnock confirmed at his pre-match press conference that he will be taking a full squad to Manchester, apart from Sol Bamba (knee) and Callum Paterson (ankle) who will not play again this season.

Opta facts

• Man City are unbeaten in their last six home league meetings with Cardiff (W4 D2), winning their only such Premier League meeting 4-2 in January 2014.
• Cardiff haven't kept a league clean sheet against Man City in any of their last 13 meetings (34 goals conceded), since a 0-0 home draw in February 1962.
• Manchester City have won 16 of their last 17 Premier League home games, losing only against Crystal Palace in that run (2-3 in December).
• Man City are unbeaten in their last 35 Premier League home games against promoted sides (W31 D4), since a 0-2 loss vs Reading in February 2007.
• Man City haven't lost a midweek Premier League home game (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) since May 2010 against Tottenham, winning 22 and drawing five since.
• Cardiff have won two of their last five Premier League away games (L3), as many as they had in their first 28 in the competition (W2 D6 L20).
• Cardiff have lost all 10 of their Premier League away games against 'big six' opposition, conceding 27 goals in the process.
• Cardiff's last eight away goals in the Premier League have all been scored in the second half, with half of those being scored in the 90th minute or later. They last netted before halftime away from home in September against Chelsea.
• In six previous away games against Manchester City in all competitions, Cardiff manager Neil Warnock has never won (D2 L4), with his sides failing to score in all six meetings.
• Sergio Aguero has scored 18 goals in 17 home games for Man City in all competitions this season, including 11 in eight so far in 2019.

Merson's predictions

Manchester City will be back on top of the Premier League after this game!

Cardiff didn't have much luck the other day but one linesman not seeing an offside is not the reason they are third bottom after 32 games of the season. There's a lot more to it than that.

They were unfortunate, but it's swings and roundabouts. Who would've thought Liverpool would have got lucky with a World Cup winning goalkeeper dropping the ball like that?

I don't see anything but a Manchester City win here. It's just a question of how many they win by. Victory will then put the pressure back on Liverpool, who take on Southampton on Friday night Football.

PAUL PREDICTS: 4-0

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