The Welsh contingent have not been particularly stable this year. Cardiff's maiden voyage in the Premier League has been beset by bitter feuds and threatened sackings, followed by eventual sackings. Swansea have had a similar story in recent weeks - this Welsh derby comes hot on the heels of Michael Laudrup's controversial dismissal, with Garry Monk taking charge. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer lost his first three league games, before getting off the mark at home to Norwich last week. New signings Wilfried Zaha and Kenwyne Jones shone, and will be expected to show more as Cardiff look to solve their chronic lack of goals so far this season. Victory in this Welsh derby to go with their home success would keep their survival chances high, while dragging Swansea further into the mire themselves. Swansea captain-turned-manager Monk will have dreamt of this moment all week, as he will remember when both teams were scrapping it out in the old Third Division, but this will be a challenge like no other he has faced in football. Picking up the pieces after Laudrup, he will be hoping to get some playing time out of Michu, as the Swans have lacked a cutting edge this season. We can expect a spirited encounter, but goals may be at a premium. Prediction - 1-1 draw.
I am from Bangor, aged 24, and possess an MA in Journalism from The University Of Ulster. I have had work published in the Belfast Telegraph and interviewed several local footballers and Olympic athletes. I also run my own sports blog, 'Sporting Thought' in addition to contributing to What Culture.
