It’s the South Wales derby this evening as two of the top sides in Wales take each other on LIVE on SKY TV. The bragging rights most certainly are with the Swans with seven victories from the last nine outings with just the one loss, but apparently this will be Cardiff City’s day.

New Cardiff manager Erol Bulut has experienced the cauldron of a derby before during his time in Turkey as a head coach, and Michael Duff will point towards the Burnley v Blackburn rivalry as both managers prepare to be put under the microscope.

Despite the Welsh media’s desperation for a Cardiff victory ( their last home win against the Swans was ten years ago ) Michael Duff has quietly gone about his business over the past two weeks since the poor performance and loss against Bristol City. To an extent both managers are under pressure, Erol Bulut has just one win from five, and Duff none at all. However, the three Swans defeats could easily have been victories had the side applied themselves consciously against Bristol City last time out, and the away games at Preston and West Bromwich Albion.

Cardiff on the other hand squandered leads at Leeds United and Ipswich away, and have lost at home to QPR when they were struggling for points. There isn’t a lot in this one at all, and although the Swans can’t have the last four games against the Bluebirds ( and four victories ) taken away from them this evening does feel rather different. The evening kick off for one is a leveller for Cardiff. There is also the ridiculous rules that Swans fans have to navigate to even get on a bus to the game, let alone then go through personal searches and checks yet again in Cardiff.

We covered that yesterday evening on the Indy.

That’s here —> No go for the Jack Army

Bulut has tried to explain to Cardiff fans that he is fully aware of the enormity of the game.“When I hear ‘derby’ I know what is going on. When I signed as the Manager for Cardiff City, I knew what derbies mean. I’ve had a few in my career, both as a player as a manager, so I know the feeling well. When you sign for a club, you don’t need them to be explained by somebody else how important they are. You should know how to handle it. I can say only one thing for Saturday, and that’s on the field will be a team that I don’t need to tell what a derby means - they know it already. As a manager and as a player I have always gone for the maximum, and it will be the same ethos this season. The first step for this is on Saturday. We’ve missed six players who were away with the national teams. During the break we trained well and had a friendly, which gave us many things as the players applied themselves, so it was good for us."

That remains to be seen, both sides have players who haven’t experienced the derby before. The Bluebirds of course have Aaron Ramsey who looks like he will be fit for the game. The Swans have Joe Allen, who if our information is correct may well start the game. In Ben Cabango and Liam Cullen the Swans have two fairly experienced derby day players and both scored in last years game in Cardiff. Swansea City Captain Matt Grimes is entering his ninth derby fixture and will almost certainly start the game. Focussing on the present Grimes knows what the rivalry is all about. “We all know the importance of it. It’s one for the fans and we are hopefully looking to get the first three points of the season, but ultimately the aim is to put smiles on the faces of the fans. There has been a lot of change, there are new players and new managers, it’s almost a clean slate. We have had good success in the past, but now we need to go again.”

The Swans easily have the more experienced derby day players. Jay Fulton is another old head, and there’s also Jamal Lowe ( below ) who has scored in this fixture for the Swans before moving to Bournemouth. “For me, in my first spell, that game at Cardiff away was a big one for me,” said Lowe. That came off the back of a run where I had not scored for a while, and that just ignited things for me. I went on a run of seven goals in seven games starting then, and I would have to say that was probably my most memorable game. It’s just funny that it is going to be my first game back, and it would be great to create a new memory.”

Well, nobody will be laughing if the Swans lose later today Jamal.

Only two Swans players remain from the starting eleven that day back in December 2020, Grimes and Fulton being those mentioned above. Liam Cullen was on the bench but didn’t see any action. Lowe scored both goals that day in a 2-0 victory, and Swans fans will be delighted to see that scoreline again. If any proof is needed that form means nothing going in to these games then Cardiff going in to that fixture with four straight victories is evidence enough.

The last time that Cardiff beat the Swans at home was in the premier league back in 2013. A 1-0 victory enough to secure the points, but does anyone remember Angel Rangel ( below ) playing in goal that day for Swansea ? Now that’s a quiz question. Stephen Caulker scored the only goal of the game that day in the first Premier League meeting between the two sides. Later on in the season Cardiff were battered 3-0 by the Swans at the then Liberty Stadium.

However, nothing matters come 7.45pm this evening. The talking is almost over and the battle lines are drawn for the biggest derby in the Sky Bet Championship by a long, long way. Team news later.

Photographs licensed from Reuters