Cardiff City v Newcastle United - First trip of the season for the Magpies

Neil Warnock opted to play Sol Bamba as a deep-lying holding midfielder at the Vitality Stadium, and could well do the same against Newcastle, although Callum Patterson may also be deployed in a deeper role this time out.

Harry Arter, who has signed for the Bluebirds on loan from Bournemouth, is expected to make his debut, having been ineligible against parent club last weekend.

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Aron Gunnarsson will not make it though, due to a knee problem.

Junior Hoilett was Cardiff’s best player last season, and will start. On the opposite flank, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing will have to fight to keep his place, with Josh Murphy breathing down his neck.

Kenneth Zohore, who has been nursing a groin problem, will face a late fitness test. The big striker was forced to sit out his side’s first game upon their return to the Premier League.

Bobby Reid, who was outstanding for Bristol City in the Championship last season, will likely play from the start, hoping to get himself up and running in the top flight.

DeAndre Yedlin is out for Newcastle after the right-back injured his knee in the home defeat by Tottenham. The USA International has luckily avoided any serious damage, but the Cardiff game will come too soon for him. Javier Manquillo will likely deputise.

Florian Lejeune is a long term absence, so one of Ciaran Clark, Fabian Schär or Frederick Fernandez will slot in alongside captain Jamaal Lascelles.

Jonjo Shelvey was excellent in the home opener, but Mohamed Diame struggled for large parts. It would not be a surprise to see new signing Ki Seung-Yeung play his first minutes in black and white.

Jacob Murphy, twin brother of Josh, will be chomping at the bit to start the game, but will have a difficult time displacing either Matt Ritchie or the fantastic Kenedy on either wing.

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Salomon Rondon came off the bench last weekend and came within inches of clinching a point for the Magpies when his deflected shot rattled the crossbar. He could make his first start, although Joselu will be disappointed to lose his place after an impressive goalscoring display against Spurs.

Likely line ups

Cardiff: Etheridge, Peltier, Ecuele Manga, Morrison, Bennett, Bamba, Arter, Ralls, Murphy, Reid, Hoilett

Newcastle: Dubravka, Manquillo, Lascelles, Fernandez, Dummett, Shelvey, Diame, Ritchie, Perez, Kenedy, Joselu

Score prediction: Cardiff City 1-2 Newcastle United

How to watch:

The match will be broadcasted live on Sky Sports, as well as NBC sports for our American readers and you can also follow along by tuning into BBC Radio Newcastle’s live commentary, courtesy of the official NUFC website.