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Newcastle United: Three tactics to use against Cardiff City

By Durim Halimi

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Salomon Condon of Newcastle United takes a shot at goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St. James Park on August 11, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Salomon Condon of Newcastle United takes a shot at goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St. James Park on August 11, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images) /
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Newcastle United will look to avoid a second consecutive loss to start the season when they face Cardiff City on Saturday.

Newcastle United started the 2018-19 Premier League campaign with an unfortunate loss against Tottenham, but the Magpies are now focused on Cardiff City. The Bluebirds from South Wales are a newly-promoted side and they also lost their first match of the season away to Bournemouth.

On paper, Newcastle are favorites to win this match, but the Magpies must be wary of Cardiff City. Last season, Rafa Benitez’s men had a tendency to struggle and drop points away from home against promoted clubs. In order to alter that trend on Saturday, here are three tactics the Magpies must implement to claim a victory in Wales.

Constant Attack: 4-4-2

Newcastle are not used being the superior side in a match, but they must utilize that label to the fullest on Saturday by attacking Cardiff City. The Magpies have a favorable matchup this weekend as they face the weakest and most vulnerable defense in the Premier League.

Cardiff City was active during the summer transfer window, but the talent they added is no match for the pace, aggression and style of play in the top tier of English football. With that being said, Newcastle need to ensure they earn a positive result in this match and the best way to do that is by placing emphasis on attacking.

Benitez is known for his 4-2-3-1 formation, but he does not need to deploy a balanced lineup against Cardiff City. Instead, Benitez should go all out and play two strikers up top to really put the pressure on Cardiff City’s untested back-line. The duo of Salomon Rondon and Yoshinori Muto or Ayoze Perez could have a big game on Saturday.

Watch the Wings

Newcastle will have to be collectively vigilant on Saturday, but special attention must be paid to Cardiff City’s wingers, Josh Murphy and Junior Hoilett. Yes, you read that name correctly, Josh Murphy, the twin brother of Newcastle’s winger, Jacob Murphy.

The duo of Murphy and Hoilett are speedsters who can cause problems down the flank, especially with the likely absence of DeAndre Yedlin on the back-line. Cardiff City’s frontmen are not capable of creating their own shots at this level and will be heavily dependent on crosses from the wings for scoring opportunities.

High Pressure

Players in every position must be willing to make their opponents uncomfortable on the ball by frequently applying high pressure. Seeing how vulnerable the Magpies are defensively with Florian Lejeune and DeAndre Yedlin out due to knee injuries, the midfield will have to help out defensively by recovering the ball early.

The front-line must also play its role in this process. If Newcastle’s strikers can play confrontational football, they will force Cardiff City’s back-line to make ill-advised and ill-timed passes that would leave their keeper exposed in the penalty area.