Preview: Cardiff City vs. Bournemouth - prediction, team news, lineups

Unbeaten Bournemouth travel to Cardiff City in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.

After seven games, the Cherries are third in the table on 15 points, while the Bluebirds are ninth with 11 points.

Match preview

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Bournemouth are one of just two sides in the second tier – along with West Bromwich Albion – who are yet to lose this season.

The Cherries ended Queens Park Rangers' unbeaten start with a 2-1 win over the West London side on Tuesday night, as Jaidon Anthony and Dominic Solanke struck in the first half.

Now Scott Parker's side are going for three consecutive victories for the first time this season, with an eye on taking top spot off Fulham, who they trail by just one point.

Bournemouth have only conceded once in three away games in the Championship in 2021-22 – the joint-best record in the league with Birmingham City.

However, the Cherries have never won in three trips to the Cardiff City Stadium in the league; the last time they picked up three points in the Welsh capital was at Ninian Park in 2000.

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That was the year that Parker won promotion to the Premier League with Charlton Athletic as a player, while Cardiff boss Mick McCarthy was in the middle of his Republic of Ireland managerial reign.

McCarthy is now one of English football's elder statesman, but he is keen to prove that he still has plenty to offer in the dugout.

His Bluebirds side have made an inconsistent start to the season, but are just two points off the playoffs at this early stage.

They suffered their second league defeat of the campaign on Wednesday night, losing 1-0 away at Coventry City.

It was the first time this season that Cardiff have failed to score in a Championship match, with striker Kieffer Moore drawing a blank for the fifth consecutive game.

Team News

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Rubin Colwill scored two decisive goals against Nottingham Forest last weekend but was then withdrawn at halftime on Wednesday, with McCarthy admitting that the teenager was "shattered"; Sam Bowen may replace him in the starting lineup on Saturday.

Cardiff are short of senior options in midfield, as Ryan Giles has tested positive for coronavirus, Joe Ralls has a groin problem and Leandro Bacuna is struggling with a hamstring issue.

The club's top scorer this season remains four-goal defender Aden Flint, with striker James Collins yet to net since signing from Luton Town in the summer.

Leif Davis is in contention to feature for Bournemouth, having missed the last two matches with a hamstring injury.

The Leeds United loanee will battle for the left-back spot with Jordan Zemura, who netted twice against Barnsley last weekend.

Jaidon Anthony got a goal and an assist against QPR on Tuesday night, with the Cherries academy graduate keeping summer signings Jamal Lowe and Morgan Rogers out of the team.

Cardiff City possible starting lineup:
Phillips; Ng, Morrison, Flint, Nelson, Bagan; Bowen, Pack, Vaulks; Collins, Moore

Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Travers; Smith, Cahill, Kelly, Zemura; Christie, Lerma, Billing; Brooks, Solanke, Anthony

We say: Cardiff City 0-2 Bournemouth

Bournemouth appear to be really finding their rhythm under Parker, with new signings and academy stars bedding in to the team and players returning from injury; Cardiff, though, looked lacklustre against Coventry in midweek and could struggle again here.