Throughout the 2011/2012 season, West Ham demolished Cardiff on three occasions, in two 2-0 away wins, and a 3-0 win at Upton Park. So the Hammers will have the upper edge coming into this match after beating the Welsh side in the Playoff semi-final 5-0 which is the biggest one-sided aggregate score in Play-Off history. The omens are on the Hammers side, but Cardiff will be looking to prove themselves in their first ever Premier League game. If anyone is expecting an easy win, they are very much mistaken, Mackay's men will graft for a positive result on Saturday.
Cardiff have spent a bit in the summer window, bringing in some very decent acquisitions, some proven and some inexperienced. Starting with Steven Caulker from Tottenham. Caulker impressed last season, even earning himself an England call-up. They broke their transfer record several times throughout the window, finally breaking it for the final time was the signing of Gary Medel from Sevilla for £9.5 million. The Chilean international impressed during the Rio Ferdinand testimonial last week. They last main signing is Danish international Andreas Cornelius, the 20 year old is tall and stocky, but may not feature against the Hammers as he is still recovering from an injury. Cardiff's spending has been in the right areas, with needed improvement in defence and attacking areas, which looked to be their weaker areas last season.
The Welsh side won the Championship last year with 87 points, two more points than the Hammers the year before. Cardiff had a considerably weaker Championship title winning season last year, and may be seen as weaker than the Hammers and Southampton. The Red dragons however do have a strong squad from last season including former Hammers Craig Bellamy and Nicky Maynard. Cardiff are the favourites out of the promoted sides to stay up, and by my predictions they will avoid the drop. They are an organised side, but the question is, will they adapt to the step up from Championship football to Premier League football? Only time will tell with that one, at the start Cardiff will be working off of the momentum they gained from promotion, when that fades it will show whether Cardiff are good enough to avoid relegation this season.
The Hammers exceeded expectations last season, and will be hoping to do the same again, as Allardyce's men have been predicted to come 12th this season, two places lower than they did last year. Cardiff will be hoping to re-create the same exceeding expectations that West Ham and Southampton achieved. West Ham should not be threatened by Cardiff on Saturday, as they have improved, albeit marginally, with the signing of Razvan Rat, a steady and confident full back. Fans will be hoping that Andy Carroll will be fit, as well as new signing Stewart Downing to start the game on Saturday. Other players of interest will be Alou Diarra and Ravel Morrison, as both will be like new signings for the side, and the latter has shown signs of brilliance during pre-season with many fans expecting Morrison to break into the first team in the coming weeks. The Hammers have a strong side, and finished the season well, and should not sit back on their morals. A good start to the season will give the Hammers the incentive to carry that onto the next six fixtures which are winnable games.
The game will not be tense, West Ham are likely to take the game to Cardiff, and the same of the Welsh side. As a newly promoted team, they will be hoping to get points on the board as quickly as possible. However, the away side may look to be a bit more defensive against a team who only lost four times at home out of a possible nineteen. An incredible feat for a newly promoted side, and if the Hammers take this home form into the game on Saturday, they should have no worries for a positive result.
West Ham need to show they have a plan B, if Andy Carroll is not available for Saturday's fixture. This means signs of flair may be needed to defeat Cardiff, Jarvis and Downing will be vital in getting the three points this weekend. Cardiff will not be an easy ride, but the Hammers need to show their Premier League experience right from the off.
Come On You Irons!
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