Bluebirds v Tractor Boys. Match preview

Last updated : 28 November 2003 By Michael Morris
There's very little recent history between Cardiff and Ipswich. The last meeting of the sides was in 1984 when an Eric Gates hat trick knocked City out of the FA Cup. Prvious to that another FA Cup win for Ipswich in 1978. Both games were at Ninian Park.

In the league they last played in Feb 1968. Ipswich won 4 - 2 at Portman Rd. Cardiff's last victory over Ipswich came in November 1965, 38 years ago but it was a league cup game. The last league victory came just a couple of weeks before the cup game when City won 2 - 1 in a Dvision 2 (old) match at Ninian Park at the end of October.

Since the 60's when the teams tussled on a regular basis there has been very different fortunes. Ipswich have won the FA Cup, won a European trophy, finished runners up twice in the old 1st Division and experienced Premiership football.

Now the clubs are on an even keel again. Cardiff and Ipswich are the form teams in the Division. In the last 8 games Cardiff are unbeaten with 4 wins and 4 draws while Ipswich have earned 1 extra point with 5 wins and 2 draws.

We are level on points with City holding a better goal difference.

Depending on other results a place in the top is possible for either team.

There will be no Ninian return for former loan player Alan Mahon tomorrow, he has been ruled out by Joe Royle. City are still without Graham Kavanagh.

Lennie's big decision is whether to play Peter Thorne from the start. He definately improved the team when he came on against the Baggies in midweek.

City probable

Alexander, Croft, Vidmar, Gabbidon, Barker, Gray, Langley, Bonner, Robinson, Thorne, Earnshaw.

Subs from Margetson, Prior, Collins, Boland, Gordon, Campbell.

More team new if available later.

Ipswich have named a 16 man squad to travel to Cardiff.

The squad
Armstrong, Bart-Williams, Bent, Davis, Kuqi, Magilton, McGreal, Miller, Naylor, Price, Reuser, Richards, Santos, Westlake, Wilnis, Wright

They lined up in their last game (an impressive 3 - 0 home win over Sheff Utd)

Davis, Wilnis, Naylor, Santos, Richards, Wright, Bart-Williams, Magilton, Westlake, Darren Bent, Kuqi.

This game promises to be a cracker.