Credit - Chris Stonadge
The respective bosses have 1,159 games between them in English football, and are currently ensuing new manager bounces at the sleeping giants they occupy.
Both are 62, and both were born in England but represented Ireland at international level. The eerie similarities between the two have of course led to them being good friends.
Hughton took over at a struggling Forest in October, with the Reds in the relegation zone under Sabri Lamouchi. With his proven record, he’s averaged 1.25 points per game in his 36 matches and steered them well clear.
McCarthy, whose appointment was less anticipated, has arguably done an even better job. Post Neil Harris, Cardiff have shot up into a playoff race, trailing Barnsley by four points with eight games to go. He’s won a staggering eight of 14 matches in the Welsh capital.
Last time out Cardiff won the 71st South Wales derby, with Aden Flint’s early goal the winner at Swansea. Forest held promotion chasing Brentford to a 1-1 draw.
The last time the two played in the Championship was back in September, with Kieffer Moore bagging a brace in a 2-0 win for the Bluebirds. Forest did knock them out of the FA Cup though, with an early Lyle Taylor strike.
Cardiff have won ten of their previous 12 matches against the Reds, drawing one and losing the other.
After scoring three against Wycombe in February, Forest have only scored five goals in ten league games.
Since Mick McCarthy took the reins, only Norwich and Barnsley (30) have taken more points than Cardiff (29).
Nottingham Forest are looking to win consecutive away games at the Cardiff City Stadium for the first time, having won 1-0 last season thanks to Tiago Silva’s strike.
Cardiff have been heavily impacted by the international break, with some players featuring yesterday, so McCarthy will likely be forced into changes. Notably, striker Kieffer Moore played in all three games for Wales, but is still expected to start.
Forest are without Joe Lolley who is ruled out for the rest of the season, but do welcome the return of Joe Worrall after three weeks’ absence.
Former Cardiff loanee Harry Arter also misses out, with Fouad Bachirou their only other confirmed absentee.
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