Cardiff City v Athletic Bilbao. Match preview

Last updated : 10 August 2013 By Michael Morris

bilbaoCardiff City entertain Athletic Bilbao this afternoon at Cardiff City Stadium in the final pre season fixture.

It's a chance for Malky Mackay to prepare a side similar to the one we might see run out at Upton Park next Saturday.

The boss expects a tough test against the La Liga side.

“Saturday is going to be a tough but good test for us; it’s what we planned,” said Mackay. “We structured this pre-season in a certain way in terms of the build-up of the games and this one was always going to test us the most. 

“Without a doubt tomorrow Athletic Club bring the toughest test of pre-season so far. Europa League finalists recently, anyone that watched them play against Manchester United at Old Trafford in that run would’ve seen an excellent side that night. 

“We’re looking forward to it; it’ll be a good test leading into the West Ham game next week.”
 
So far Cardiff have won away at Forest Green, drawn at Cheltenham and lost at Brentford. Then last Saturday Kimbo's goal was enough to beat Serie A side Chievo. All those games involved many substitutions to get players some match action.
 
Maybe today we will see a more settled side for a longer period of the game  as Malky uses this last oportunity to decide on his starting XI for West Ham.
 
Aron Gunnarsson is expected to play and hopefully Andreas Cornelius will be fit after a minor knock picked up in training. That has kept Cornelius out of the side for the last couple of pre season games.
 
Nicky Maynard is expected to be involved in the squad today despite being withdrawn with a minor injury at Hereford last week.
 
With Andrew Taylor suspended for the West Ham match it will be interesting to see who starts at left back. Declan John did a good job against Chievo last week. If he keeps his place today then I think he will be favourite for next Saturday.
 
Tickets are available up until kick off today and City will be hoping to improve on the 7,000+ that came last Saturday.