Cardiff City open up their pre-season campaign with a trip to non-league Bath City on Saturday afternoon.
While the Bluebirds are playing the first of six fixtures ahead of the new season, Bath have already opened up with back-to-back victories.
Match preview
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Having started his Cardiff reign with a collection of victories in quick succession, Mick McCarthy was naturally disappointed when his side fell away during the final weeks of the campaign.
Nevertheless, McCarthy has recorded 39 points from his 22 matches in charge of the Welsh outfit, a ratio which the veteran boss would undoubtedly accept throughout 2021-22.
The likes of Sheyi Ojo and Harry Wilson, who have returned to parent club Liverpool, are yet to be replaced, while it remains to be seen whether Cardiff can retain the services of Wales star Kieffer Moore.
However, McCarthy will be pleased that Arsenal defender Mark McGuinness and Luton Town forward James Collins have already arrived ahead of a relatively congested schedule during July.
Cardiff have been provided with a favourable start to the season, beginning with a home meeting against Barnsley and a trip to newly-promoted Blackpool.
McCarthy will instead prefer to focus on trying to get their pre-season off to a positive start, aware that a slip-up against non-league opposition would sour the mood in South Wales.
National League South outfit Bath have returned to action with victories over Larkhall Athletic and Frome Town, scoring nine goals in the process.
Despite starting with games against teams lower down the pyramid, Jerry Gill will be confident that the Romans can pull off a surprise at Twerton Park.
Bath were fourth from bottom with several matches in hand when the National League South was declared null and void in February.
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Team News
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Moore will play no part for Cardiff after representing his country during Euro 2020, while the unused Jonny Williams and Rubin Colwill are also expected to miss out.
As well as McGuinness and Collins, Ryan Wintle is in line to make an appearance after his transfer from Crewe Alexandra.
Gill could select his strongest Bath XI for Saturday's fixture and the following encounter against League Two club Exeter City.
After Alex Fletcher netted a hat-trick against Larkhill, Cody Cooke followed that return with a treble of his own versus Frome on Tuesday night.
We say: Bath City 0-3 Cardiff City
Having already found their stride, Bath could be more competitive in this contest than many people are anticipating. However, we cannot ignore the superior quality in the visitors' ranks, leading us to predict a comfortable win for the Bluebirds.
Darren Plant
