Premier League: Cardiff City v Manchester City preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at the Cardiff City Stadium

Jesus Navas and his Manchester City team-mates will face Swansea City (GETTY IMAGES)

Cardiff will host their first ever Premier League fixture when Manchester City visit the Welsh capital on Sunday. There are no easy fixtures in the Premier League, let alone for newly promoted clubs, but it’ll be important for Malky Mackay and his team to develop a fortress mentality at the Cardiff City Stadium if they are to avoid the drop. Danish striker Andres Cornelius is fit enough to make his Premier League debut and Andrew Taylor returns from suspension, meaning Cardiff have the luxury of a complete squad to choose from.

Manchester City started the Manuel Pellegrini era with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over a poor Newcastle side, but injury to Vincent Kompany leaves the Chilean with only one first choice centre-half to choose from. Joleon Lescott is likely to start alongside Javi Garcia in defence – a player who will want to prove his worth to City’s new manager due to increased competition in the midfield.

KICK-OFF: Sunday, 4.00pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Cardiff 1 (Blake) Manchester City 0, FA Cup, January 1994

Manchester City 2 Cardiff 2, Old Second Division, March 1985

Cardiff 0 Manchester City 3, Old Second Division, September 1984

STATS…

Craig Bellamy scored 12 goals in 40 League appearances for Manchester City between 2009 and 2011.

This will be the first League meeting between the two clubs in 28 years (March 1985).

Steven Caulker scored for Tottenham against Manchester City last season in the 2-1 loss at the Etihad.

Cardiff have won only one of their last eight matches.

ODDS…

Cardiff to win: 8.5

Manchester City to win: 1.44

Draw: 4.75

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10.30pm on Monday