Middlesbrough visit Cardiff as Warnock returns to former stomping ground

Cardiff City host Middlesbrough this Saturday, with the fixture reuniting Boro’s Neil Warnock with his former club.

The veteran had one of the most successful spells of his career with the Bluebirds, securing them a place in the Premier League and taking them so close to staying up against all odds.

The tragic death of Emiliano Sala played a part in his departure, with the emotional ties so painful and the form of the side at the opening of last season disintegrating.

His replacement almost immediately emulated him, with Neil Harris taking them to the playoffs last season. They currently sit 13th, with Warnock’s new side Middlesbrough just ahead of them in 11th.

Last time out the visitors picked up an impressive 1-0 win at high-flying Bristol City, with George Saville netting the winner after 73 minutes.

Cardiff drew 1-1 with Jason Tindall’s relegated Bournemouth – with new signing Harry Wilson on the scoresheet on debut.

Stat Pack:

Cardiff have won their last four Championship games against the Teesiders, conceding just one. In fact, Boro have lost 15 of their previous 19 away matches at the Cardiff City Stadium.

But what does bode well for the visitors is they are unbeaten in five, drawing three and winning two, and have kept two clean sheets in their last two matches.

Their current boss Warnock may have been in charge of Cardiff for three years, but he hasn’t won away from home against them since 2006, while in charge of Sheffield United. He has drawn four and lost two since.

Cardiff have gone three home games without a win at the start of a Championship campaign, and if they fail to pick up a win it will be the first time since 2007/08 that they haven’t won one of their opening four.

Team News:

The hosts will be without key creative midfielder Lee Tomlin and Greg Cunningham tomorrow, with Joe Bennett and Jordan Osei-Tutu doubts.

Boro will be without skipper Britt Assombalonga after the DR Congo international picked up a fresh injury against Bristol City. Former Arsenal youth product Chuba Akpom is set to replace him.

What the Managers said:

Neil Harris on filling Warnock’s shoes:

“I think we have adjusted slightly. What Neil achieved here is class. They had a good time and we look forward to welcoming him back to the stadium.

“Some personnel changed. A lot of players have left. There are some players here Neil signed, the managers before that as well.

“I’ve put my stamp on it a little bit, a natural progression. We have grown as a group.

“We have had a successful period for three or four seasons.”

Neil Warnock on Cardiff:

“The Cardiff crowd is almost like a Yorkshire crowd – they’re all blood and guts, and that’s how I like it. It was a great move for me and I really enjoyed it. I don’t really think enough was made of the success we had there.

“To achieve promotion to the Premier League with that group of players was probably the biggest achievement I’ll ever have.”

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