Cardiff v Carlisle. FA Cup preview

Last updated : 04 January 2020 By Michael Morris

FA Cup round 3
Saturday January 4th, ko 3:01pm

Cardiff City boss Neil Harris is expected to make a number of changes for the FA Cup tie against League Two strugglers Carlisle United.

Cardiff will be without winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing as they look to respond after their 6-1 Championship defeat at Queens Park Rangers.

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Mendez-Laing is likely to miss the rest of the season with a hamstring injury.

Joe Ralls is expected to miss out again with a broken hand, while Joe Bennett is also doubtful with an eye injury.

Carlisle boss Chris Beech has a number of fitness concerns as he plots a cup upset.

Defenders Jarrad Braithwaite and Christie Elliott are fitness doubts along with midfielders Stefan Scougall and Mo Sagaf.

Forward Hallam Hope is another worry for the Cumbrians as they target a first away win at Cardiff.

Neil Harris

“For me I look at it as a chance to progress. A tough game and a balance between trying to keep continuity but also give players a chance to impress me.

“One or two youngsters may get an opportunity.

“But I want to win the game and I want to be in the fourth round draw. People are going to come and want their team to go through.

“I love it. It’s a great competition. It’s one of the best club competitions in the world, if not the best.

“I just think if you get a little bit of momentum in it, you can take it into the league.

“This is an opportunity to see some more of the group, and a reaction.

“I want to see that hunger and mentality in the group. It’s a wonderful competition and really builds excitement. I’ve had that in the past and that’s what I want this season.”

Match facts

  • This is the first FA Cup meeting between Cardiff City and Carlisle United.
  • Cardiff have lost just one of their last 19 matches against Carlisle (W12 D6 L1), though this is their first encounter since March 2001 in a fourth-tier league match.
  • Cardiff have won none of their last five home FA Cup matches (D1 L4) since beating League One's Colchester United in January 2015.
  • Carlisle United have been eliminated in their last six FA Cup ties against sides in the top two divisions of English football, last going through back in January 1997 against Tranmere Rovers, then of the second tier.
  • Cardiff boss Neil Harris has progressed from the FA Cup third round in each of his last three seasons as manager, all with Millwall. However, he has been eliminated in his two ties with League Two opponents (2013-14 against Southend, 2015-16 against Wycombe).

Match Officials:

Referee Geoff Eltringham
Assistants: Mark Pottage & Simon Shaw
Fourth Official: Savvas Yianni