Date and Time: Tuesday 8th August (19:45)
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium
Referee: Stepen Martin
Cardiff City host Portsmouth in the first round of the Carabao Cup as Neil Warnock’s men look to advance into the next round.
Cardiff City will look to build on their 1-0 away victory over Burton Albion at the Pirelli Stadium when facing off against League One outfit Portsmouth at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Kenneth Zohore delighted the 1,700 travelling Bluebirds on Saturday by producing a piece of magic to send the away supporters home delighted.
However, it looks unlikely Warnock will start the powerful Dane up front tonight and could use this opportunity to give the younger players of the squad a run out and has already said that out-of-favour midfielder Stuart O’Keefe could feature against Pompey this evening.
Neil Warnock is welcoming a Portsmouth side who had similar fate in their opening game - defeating Rochdale at Fratton Park in front of over 18,000 and will have promotion ambitions of their own this season under the influence of former Swansea City manager Kenny Jackett.
The Bluebirds are unbeaten against Portsmouth since they lost to them in the FA Cup final - winning three and drawing once.
It won’t be an easy game by any means, with Kenny Jackett being a very experienced manager at this level and his sides tend to be very well organised and could provide to be a strenuous test for the Bluebirds.
Jackett has brought well since taking over the reins of Paul Cook in the summer, which included bringing in the experienced Brett Pitman up front.
And the former Millwall and Swans boss is expecting a tough test when his side travel to the Cardiff City Stadium and admitted Neil Warnock side are “dark horses” for promotion when talking to Portsmouth’s official website.
He’s keen to continue his side’s winning mentality and noted there wouldn’t be many changes for the Carabao Cup tie.
The 55 year-old said: “There won’t be many changes because we’re down to about 18 players already.
“We want to start the season with some winning momentum, so we’re going there in a positive mindset and looking forward to it.
“I know the Championship very well and Cardiff are dark horses to go up this season. They’re a powerful team.
TEAM NEWS
Neil Warnock is set to ring the changes ahead of the home tie against Portsmouth and has said Stuart O’Keefe will play some kind of part in the Carabao Cup first round.
Matthew Connolly is again set to miss out, and Cardiff will be without Rhys Healey and Kadeem Harris who are suffering from long-term injuries. Matthew Kennedy is a doubt.
Left back Tareiq Holmes-Dennis limped off for Portsmouth in their opening day victory over Rochdale and Brandon Haunstrup could take his place.
RECENT MEETINGS
2012: Cardiff City 3-2 Portsmouth
2011: Portsmouth 1-1 Cardiff City
2011: Cardiff City 3-0 Portsmouth
(Featured image: Jon Candy)