Cardiff City will open their 2024-25 EFL Championship campaign against Sunderland at the Cardiff City Stadium in Wales on Saturday afternoon.
With manager Erol Bulut in charge, the Bluebirds will be hoping to better on a mid-table finish during the 2023-24 campaign. Cardiff struggled for consistency and finished 12th in on the Championship table in 2023-24.
Meanwhile, Sunderland begin life under new manager Régis Le Bris. The Frenchman may bring some stability to the team after they had to play under three different managers last season. They eventually finished 16th on the table.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times, and the latest lineup news.
Cardiff vs. Sunderland live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this EFL Championship match in the U.K.:
- TV channel: Sky Sports+
This Championship game is available for live TV broadcast on Sky Sports+.
What time does Cardiff vs. Sunderland kick off?
This competition clash takes place at the Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff, City of Wales, and kicks off on Saturday 10th August 2024 at 12:30 p.m. BST.
| Date | Saturday, August 10 |
| Time | 12:30 p.m. |
| Venue | Cardiff City Stadium |
| Location | Cardiff, Wales, UK |
Cardiff City vs. Sunderland lineups, team news
Cardiff City have suffered a significant setback with several key players sustaining injuries just before the start of the new season. Star forward Isaak Davies has undergone surgery for a torn hamstring and is now set to be sidelined until December. This lengthy absence is a major blow to head coach Erol Bulut's plans for the upcoming campaign.
In addition to Davies' injury, Jamilu Collins is expected to be out of action until early October due to a leg issue, while Kion Etete is set to miss games until November due to a similar problem.
Cardiff City predicted XI (4-5-1, right to left): Horvath (GK) – Ng, Chambers, Goutas, O'Dowda – Siopis, Ralls, Ramsey, Tanner, Willock – Meite.
Injured: Davies (hamstring), Collins (leg), Etete (leg)
Suspended: N/A
Sunderland's defensive options have taken a hit, with centre-back Jenson Seelt sidelined until late August due to a knee injury sustained back in March. The young Dutchman's absence leaves a void in the Black Cats' backline, which will also miss the services of Pierre Ekwah and Dan Ballard, who are also unavailable due to injury concerns.
Despite the ongoing transfer speculation surrounding Jack Clarke's future, the talented winger remains a Sunderland player as they prepare for their opening match of the 2024-25 season. Clarke is undoubtedly the standout player in Sunderland's squad and will be a key figure in their clash against Cardiff City this weekend.
With no recognised senior striker at their disposal, the responsibility of leading the line for the visitors will fall on the shoulders of 19-year-old Spanish striker Eliezer Mayenda.
Sunderland predicted XI (4-5-1, right to left): Patterson – Hume, O'Nien, Alese, Cirkin – Neil, Browne, Bellingham, Roberts, Clarke – Mayenda.
Injured: Seelt (knee), Ekwah (unknown), Ballard (knock)
Suspended: N/A
MORE: How to watch EFL Championship in UK: Live streams, TV channels
Cardiff City vs. Sunderland prediction
- Prediction: Cardiff City 2-1 Sunderland
Cardiff City enters their season opener against Sunderland with a sense of optimism, buoyed by the support of their passionate home fans and the arrival of several talented attacking players. The Bluebirds will be eager to start their campaign on a high note and secure all three points at home.
Sunderland, on the other hand, faces uncertainty in their striking department ahead of Saturday's match. With no recognized senior striker available, the Black Cats may struggle to find the necessary firepower to pose a serious threat to Cardiff's defense. This potential lack of a clinical finisher could hinder Sunderland's chances of walking away from South Wales with a positive outcome.
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