They are led by Newport born Tony Pulis. He took over in November 2002 and last season Stoke had a top half finish.
Cardiff have won the last two home league games against Stoke but sandwiched in-between is the painful memory of the play off semi final defeat in May 2002.
With former Stoke players Graham Kavanagh and Peter Thorne in the City squad, the 2002 play offs and a crowd incident in 2000 a firece rivalry has built up between the clubs. It came from nowhere but now neither side particularly like each other.
Cardiff are trying to avoid a third successive league defeat. There will be a boost from the Carling Cup win in midweek (Stoke lost at Oldham) and hopefully we can head North for Monday's match against Wigan with three points secured at Stoke's expense.
The Ninian Park crowd will want to see an improvement on the last home game. The bitterly disappointing 1 - 0 reverse against Plymouth. With speculation in the air over Earnie will this be his last appearance? The transfer windon closes next Tuesday night at midnight. The latest talk is that WBA will make a cash + player offer. OK we've heard all that before but with only a few days left if this is going to happen it will have to happen soon.
Assuming Earnie is in Cardiff tomorrow he is likely to line up with Alan Lee in attack. Peter Thorne is still not available, he still has a pain in the neck. Willie Boland may have played himself into the side. He came through 120 mins and scored a spot kick at Aggborough and with Graham Kavanagh I think are our best central midfield pairing. Jobi McAnuff will make his home debut on the right wing while I expect John Robinson to start on the left.
City have to make changes in defence. The new rules this season mean suspensions are immediate. No 14 day wait before a ban starts so for Tony Vidmar it's a seat in the stands. He's banned after his sending off at Kidderminster. With no other option (unless a loan player comes in today) Daniel Gabbidon will go to left back with James Collins and Robert Page in the centre. Rhys Weston will play at right back.
City have little defensive cover with Chris Barker on loan at Stoke (he can't play against us) and Gary Croft is out for several weeks.
Tony Warner should keep his place but who will be on the bench? Martyn Margetson was absent at Kidderminster and there was a recall for Neil Alexander. I can only assume that Margetson was injured.
City therefore could line up
Warner, Weston, Collins, Page, Gabbidon, McAnuff, Boland, Kavanagh, Robinson, Lee, Earnshaw. Subs from Margetson, Alexander, Anthony, Bullock, Parry, Langley, Campbell, Fleetwood.
Players absent. Barker - on loan at Stoke, Vidmar - suspended, Croft and Thorne - injured, Whalley on trial at Wigan.
Stoke City's attacking threat will come from players Ade Akinbiyi, Gifton Noel Williams, Carl Asaba and former City loan player Chris Greenacre. I don't expect Stoke to make it easy and I'm sure they will be looking to mix it up and unsettle the Bluebirds.
Three points for Cardiff and the whole mood changes, anything less and the storm clouds will be gathering.
Cardiff City v Stoke City
Saturday 28th August. 3:00pm.