Swans looking for historic treble.

Swansea won both games last season to delight their supporters. Manager Russell Martin will look to send out a side which matches the huge expectation that his side will add to their recent supremacy over the side from the capital.

Swansea look down on the Bluebirds in the championship table and have shown recent signs of establishing themselves as play-off contenders. The dream came unstuck a little in last week’s 4-0 hammering at Burnley, where Joël Piroe earned a red card which will see him miss the big derby clash.

Things almost became worse for the Swans in midweek as Reading took a two-goal lead on their trip to South Wales. Goals from Harry Darling and Ollie Cooper drew the home side level though, before Jay Fulton blasted home scored a terrific winner to send the Swans into confident mood ahead of the Bluebirds’ visit.

Interim Cardiff City manager Mark Hudson has seen his decent start erode in the last few games. An unconvincing home defeat to lowly Coventry City was followed by a thrashing at high-flying QPR. Defeat in the derby could test the patience of Cardiff fans – not to mention the club’s owners – as they contemplate whether Hudson deserves the manager’s boss on a permanent basis.

Hudson – who once scored for the Bluebirds in a derby – has been making all the right noises about understanding the importance of this special fixture to Cardiff fans but the form book makes it hard to see past three points for the home side.

This weekend’s derby has added significance as the Welsh football public begins to lick its lips just a month ahead of Robert Page’s international side’s trip to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar

Several Cardiff and Swansea stars will have their eyes on a seat on the plan alongside Gareth Bale etc in November.

Swansea’s Ben Cabango – a scorer in Cardiff last season for the visiting Swans – should find a place in the squad as defensive cover for Bournemouth’s Chris Mepham and former Swan Joe Rodon. Cardiff-born Cabango could even start if Page elects to start with a back five. Spurs star Ben Davies – another former Swan – might have something to say about that though.

Ollie Cooper has also caught the eye for the Swans recently. The Wales Under-21 international had a spell at Newport County earlier in his career. That goal against Reading will have helped his case for Qatar for sure. Liam Cullen came of the bench in that game. He has represented Wales at various levels down the years, though a full debut in the heat of Qatar may be a little optimistic for the midfielder to expect.

The experienced Joe Allen may not feature for Martin’s men due to injury. Page will be watching that situation with concern giving his importance to the Welsh set-up.

Mark Harris will have done his chances of adding to his tally of five full caps with a splendid goal for Hudson’s men against Blackburn Rovers recently. Wales are not well blessed for strikers and nothing would please the West Walian more than to grab the winner against Cardiff’s bitter rivals.

Cardiff sensation Rubin Colwill seems set to miss the big South Wales clash, having struggled with fitness all season. On his day, the youngster from Neath shows touches of genuine clash with perhaps echoes of Aaron Ramsey to his play at times. His class and ability could make him a wild-card entry into Page’s squad if he can prove his fitness.

Isaak Davies has yet to feature for the Bluebirds this season and, despite his potential and experience of playing alongside Wales striker Kieffer Moore for Cardiff City, it would be a significant surprise to see his name feature in the World Cup Squad.

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