Preview | Cardiff City v Swansea City
Swansea City and Cardiff City lock horns in the latest instalment of the south Wales derby this afternoon (12.30pm).
Another chapter will be written in a rivalry dating back 113 years when the hosts look to continue their strong recent form in the fixture.
The Swans have lost just once in the Championship in 2025 on New Year's Day, with the hosts playing out two one-all draws on home turf so far this year against Coventry City and Watford respectively.
Team news
Swans boss Luke Williams is optimistic that centre-back duo Ben Cabango and Harry Darling are making strides in their recoveries ahead of Saturday's trip to Cardiff.
Williams also provided an update on Sam Parker and Ollie Cooper, who have both returned to the grass in recent weeks.
Kristian Pedersen still remains on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.
Pre-match views
Luke Williams: "For the fans, I want them to have three days [to celebrate a win]. I love that thought of them being so happy, coming back to Swansea and then being out in Swansea, reliving the game and singing the songs. That's the best.
"I expect my players to be ferocious and be highly motivated for the game.
"How that looks in terms of how much ball we have and whatever, I don't know. But I know the lads are going to be in a very intense state of mind.
"There is a different emotion [surrounding the derby] and there's no point trying to hide from that. There's no point trying to pretend it's exactly the same as all the other games. It's not.”
Omer Riza: "I know what it means to everyone involved with the club. So many people that I meet speak to me about the importance of this game and now we’ve reached the game, we’re ready to go at the weekend for a fixture that we’re really looking forward to.
“The stadium is going to be full, there’s going to be great support from our fans towards our players. That will make it difficult for Swansea and create a real atmosphere that will be hard to ignore.
"We drew to them away from home and showed how important the game is to us. This weekend, we’ll be looking to show that importance again. I can only go on what I know and what I’ve seen, but I know how important it is.
“The history of the two clubs is there for everyone to see, as well as the importance of the win. We know how important it is for the fans. It’s about how you make people feel and we know we’ve got a job to do in that respect. How it can make people feel is probably more important than anything else.
"Against Swansea on Saturday, this whole stadium will be rocking and it will bring a sense of togetherness. These moments can really help to steer where you are in the second half of the season."
Meet the officials
James Bell will be the man in the middle when Swansea City face Cardiff City in Saturday's south Wales derby.
Prime numbers
2 – It took 111 years for either side to complete a league double in the south Wales derby, but the Swans now hold the record after achieving the feat twice in two seasons.
3 – Of the five Swans goals scored against Cardiff in the 2022-23 season, three of them were scored by academy graduates. Liam Cullen, Ollie Cooper and Ben Cabango getting on the scoresheet.
9 – The Swans have lost just two of the past 11 meetings with Cardiff City, scoring 21 and conceding five.