Advertisement

South Wales derby switched to a lunchtime showdown

Cardiff City and Swansea City players tussle during the most recent south Wales derby fixture at the Swansea.Com Stadium
[Huw Evans Agency]

The second south Wales derby of the season has been moved to an earlier kick-off.

But the Cardiff City Stadium encounter does remain a Saturday showdown as Swansea City look to avoid a second successive defeat at the home of the Bluebirds.

The game between the two rivals has been selected in the latest round of television picks from the Championship, with the game taking place at 12.30 GMT on Saturday 18 January.

The Swans were beaten 2-0 on their last trip to Cardiff in September 2023 - only to rally after Luke Williams replaced Michael Duff and win the return tie at the Swansea.Com Stadium by the same scoreline in March 2024.

The two sides played out a 1-1 draw in Swansea in August, then-Cardiff manager Erol Bulut being sent off during the game which secured the only point he picked up this season before being sacked the following month.

Both sides have seen three other games moved in the period that covers up to the end of February.

Swansea's game at Norwich City a week after the derby on Saturday, 25 January is also now a 12:30 GMT kick-off.

The Swans' game against Bristol City at Ashton Gate has been moved to a midday start Sunday, 9 February, meaning the home game with Sheffield Wednesday has been pushed back 24 hours to Wednesday 12 February (19:45 GMT).

Cardiff see their game at Millwall on Tuesday, 21 January moved to a 20:00 GMT kick-off, while their Severnside derby game has Bristol City travel to Cardiff City Stadium for a 12.30 GMT kick-off on Saturday, 15 February.

Finally, the Bluebirds game at Wayne Rooney's Plymouth Argyle has also been brought forward to lunchtime, with the Saturday, 22 February fixture at Home Park now kicking-off at 12.30 GMT.

How to Follow Your Club on the BBC Sport website and app
[BBC]