MX23RW : Wednesday, December 11 19:26:10| >> :120:26713:26713:
[monks data]
West Ham logo
Premier League
Aug 17, 2013 at 3pm UK
 
Cardiff City logo

2-0

Cole (13'), Nolan (76')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Preview: West Ham United vs. Cardiff City

Preview: West Ham United vs. Cardiff City
© PA Photos
Sports Mole previews Saturday's Premier League clash between West Ham United and Cardiff City at the Boleyn Ground.

West Ham United get their Premier League season underway when they welcome newly-promoted Cardiff City on Saturday afternoon.

The Hammers, who finished 10th on their return to the top flight last season, have been tipped to push into the higher regions of the table in the new campaign.

Cardiff, meanwhile, booked their spot in the Premier League after storming to the Championship title last season, eventually finishing eight points clear of nearest challenges Hull City.

The last time the two sides met at this stadium was in August 2011, when a last-minute strike from Kenny Miller secured all three points for the travelling side in the Championship meeting at the Boleyn Ground.

West Ham will be without the services of Andy Carroll for the opening weeks of the season, but Stewart Downing could make his debut after joining from Liverpool this week.

Another new signing, Razvan Rat, could come into the side at left-back, while Ravel Morrison's pre-season form for the Hammers could force the former Manchester United midfielder into contention.

Cardiff have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the match, however, with Gary Medel and Andreas Cornelius both pushing for starts after joining the Welsh side this summer.

Craig Bellamy could also come into the team on his return to the Premier League, while Peter Whittingham is also expected to be selected in the middle of the Cardiff midfield.

Possible lineups

West Ham: Jaaskelainen; Reid, Collins, Tomkins, Rat; Jarvis, Nolan, Diame, Noble, Downing; Maiga

Cardiff: Marshall; Connolly; Caulker, Hudson, McNaughton; Medel, Gunnarsson, Whittingham; Bellamy, Cornelius, Campbell

Sports Mole says: 2-2


ID:98834: cacheID:98834:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3670:
Written by
Matt Law
No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
West Ham United's Ravel Morrison celebrates scoring against Boreham Wood during a pre-season friendly on July 10, 2013
Read Next:
Morrison brace earns West Ham win over Sporting
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!