This Week's Opposition: Cardiff City

Pompey Live's Kirsty Roxanne takes us across enemy lines with facts and figures about the Blues' next Championship opponents.

Pompey were victorious at Loftus Road on Saturday to win their first Championship game in 4,568 days.

Still sitting in 23rd however, the Blues are now only in the relegation zone on goal difference.

In the midst of 3 games in the space of just 6 days, John Mousinho’s side head to South Wales next for a bottom-of-the-table clash with Cardiff City.

MANAGER

In the dugout for the Bluebirds is interim manager Omer Riza.

After the club sacked Erol Bulut on the 22nd of September with Cardiff sitting 24th in the Championship table having accumulated just 1 point from their first 6 fixtures of the season, Riza stepped up to take charge of The Bluebirds first team on an interim basis.

Riza began his career in football as a player within Arsenal’s youth setup, making his senior debut for the club in 1998.

Following a career that saw Riza play as a striker for clubs across the continent, his transition into coaching began with a spell as player-manager before joining Watford as an academy coach in 2018.

He also spent time coaching at international level, forming part of the coaching team for England’s Under-16 and Under-17 sides.

Riza stepped up from his role in the Watford Academy to take on coaching duties in The Hornets’ first team, gaining Championship experience as assistant first team coach at Vicarage Road.

Since taking charge of The Bluebirds, he has overseen 2 victories, 1 draw and 1 defeat.

ONE TO WATCH

Our one to watch is a product of the Cardiff youth academy; Rubin Colwill.

Joining at the age of 8, he made his professional debut with the club as a late substitute during a 3-1 Championship win over Coventry City in February 2021. The following day, Colwill signed his first pro contract.

The attacker has also played internationally for Wales and was named in the squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Last season, the number 27 featured on 40 occasions for The Bluebirds and made his 100th appearance for the club in a 1-0 home win over Huddersfield Town in March of this year.

Colwill has 1 goal and 3 assists so far this campaign.

TOP SCORER

So far this season, Callum Robinson is the top goalscorer for Cardiff.

The forward began his career with Aston Villa before joining Preston North End on a permanent deal in 2016.

He then went on to record 16 top flight appearances for Premier League side Sheffield United in 2019 prior to joining West Bromwich Albion. After helping the Baggies win promotion, he signed for the club on a permanent basis, making 95 outings with a tally of 12 goals and 17 assists.

Robinson has also earned 37 caps for the Republic of Ireland national team.

Since joining Cardiff in September 2022, the now 29-year-old has made 53 appearances and scored 11 goals.

The number 47 has netted 3 goals this season.

CURRENT FORM

The Bluebirds have spent the majority of the 2024/25 campaign sat bottom of the Championship table in 24th.

However after an early kick-off against Plymouth Argyle on Saturday, they leapfrogged the Blues up to 22nd with an astonishing 5-0 victory - Last season's Manchester City loanee Alex Robertson opening the scoring.

Cardiff and Pompey have both accumulated 8 points this season with a goal difference of just 1 separating the sides in 22nd and 23rd respectively - John Mousinho’s side 1 place below the Welsh outfit.

Can the Blues build on Saturday and form a winning streak on what is set to be a pulsating Tuesday night encounter at the Cardiff City Stadium?

Tune in for all of the unmissable action on Express FM's Pompey Live from 7pm on Tuesday (October 22nd) evening. Jake Smith, Kirsty Roxanne and James Wilson will be bringing you closer to the action up in South Wales with full pre-match build-up, half-time analysis and post-game reaction.

Kick-off: 7:45pm!