Preview | Cardiff City (H)
The Game
Argyle v Cardiff City. Home Park. Saturday, 22 February. 12.30pm. Sky Bet Championship.
The Opposition
Cardiff City’s season can be broken up into several composite parts. They began with just one point in their first eight games, winning none, but then had a six-game unbeaten stretch, with four wins and two draws. This run included a 5-0 win over Argyle.
From the start of November, City went on another bad run, failing to win in the league in nine, drawing four and losing five, up to Boxing Day. After this came another seven-game sequence where the Bluebirds were unbeaten, as they drew four and won three, the victories coming against Watford, Swansea City and Derby County.
The run came to a screeching halt with a 7-0 loss at Leeds United, then a 2-1 defeat at Portsmouth, before last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Bristol City.
The Gaffer
Omer Riza, 44, began his career with Arsenal, and later West Ham United, but did not play a senior league game for either side. He was loaned to Barnet and Cambridge United, joining the latter on a permanent basis. He moved to Denizlispor and Trabzonspor, in Turkey, before returning to play for Shrewsbury Town, and a host of non-league sides.
Having had a stint as manager of former club Cheshunt, Riza was a coach at Leyton Orient, briefly promoted to the top job, but unable to stop struggling Orient from being relegated to the National League. He has since had jobs with Watford, being promoted through the academy to the first-team coaching staff, and England Under-16s and Under-17s. He joined Cardiff as a coach in the summer, and took over from previous City manager Erol Bulut earlier this season.
The Squad
Dimitrios Goutas has played the vast majority of Cardiff’s games at the heart of their defence. The Greek international started his career in his native land, playing for Xanthi then moving to Olympiacos. He failed to break through there, instead heading out on several loans. He then played for Atromitos, then Sivasspor in Turkey, before signing for Cardiff in the summer of 2023.
For much of the season, Goutas will have looked to his left and seen Callum O’Dowda (below) at left-back. During his career, O’Dowda has often been a winger, or a wing-back, but seems comfortable on the left of a back four at the moment. Born in England, O’Dowda is an Ireland international who has played at club level for Oxford United and Bristol City before moving to Cardiff in 2022.
Rubin Colwill, 22, was a standout performer when Cardiff beat Argyle in October. Born in nearby Neath, Colwill is a product of Cardiff’s academy, and has played 139 times for his one and only club. He has nine full Wales international caps. He has scored five times this season, but his goal against Argyle is his only goal in the league.
Most Recent Meetings
In October, Cardiff dismantled Argyle, winning 5-0, with goals from Alex Robertson, Rubin Colwill, Anwar El Ghazi, Callum Robinson and Chris Willock.
Last season, Argyle drew 2-2 in South Wales, and won 3-1 at Home Park, with goals from Ryan Hardie (two) and Morgan Whittaker.
Argyle TV
Argyle TV’s coverage will begin with Argyle breakfast at 10am, which is hosted by Erin Black and Aaron Cusack. Erin will return, alongside Jemma Rose, for the pre-match show, which starts at midday. Commentary will be provided from Home Park by Charlie Price and Katie Middleton.
Match passes to watch this game are available in all territories outside the UK and Ireland - click here for more information.
Sky Sports
The game will be broadcast on Sky Sports +.
Academy Day
The Cardiff game will be the club's Academy Day fixture.
The day will see all Academy-signed players, from age seven through to Jamie Lowry’s Under-18s side, attend Home Park alongside their families to sample a taste of what the future might hold for our talented young footballers.
What's more, it gives the Green Army the opportunity to show their appreciation for our young Academy players - the stars of Argyle's future - who will undertake a half-time lap of the stadium.
