This year we are both in the same division. While this is a cup game it's still West Ham Utd coming to Ninian Park. The teams meet again in the league in just over a month but there's much to play for tonight and this match will have little bearing on the league encounter.
Sky have chosen Ninian Park tonight as their live transmission. There will be much interest in Earnshaw and Defoe.
Young Robert has scored 11 goals in 9 games while Defoe is said to be a potential target for Man Utd in January.
West Ham have lost Kanoute, Cole, Sinclair and more but still boast the England goalkeeper in David James. The Hammers will be led by Trevor Brooking, known by the younger generation as a TV pundit for the BBC but for us older gents as a West Ham legend who once scored the winning goal in the FA Cup final for the Hammers. Their new permanent manager will be former Reading boss Alan Pardew, he takes over on Oct 18th, 1 week before West Ham return to Ninian Park for the league encounter, a match that is also live on Sky.
The winners tonight progress to round 3 of the Carling Cup. The stage that the top Premiership teams who are competing in Europe join in. The winners could potentially draw Man Utd or Arsenal so there is a big reward.
Last year City went out to Spurs at this stage. Hopefully we will get through this time.
As John Heyda's article on Monday morning shows it's been a long time since we've met, and double that time since we have beaten the Hammers.
On the pitch Lennie is set to make three changes from the side that went down 3 - 5 at Sheff Utd. Martyn Margetson will get a run out as Neil Alexander is rested. Jason Bowen is due to start in place of the cup tied Richard Langley while Daniel Gabbidon will play, one assumes in place of James Collins. The youngster Collins has done a sterling job covering for Gabbidon but I feel Daniel will keep his place after tonights game.
Lennie had hinted towards a bigger squad rotation but this time it appears he will keep it to a minimum but the only actual rotation being between the goal keepers.
West Ham will not relish coming to Cardiff. They were beaten at Gillingham last weekend, Defoe was sent off, and have also lost at Rotherham, as a promoted team Cardiff will be seen as lesser opposition and as the results mentioned show they are vulnerable against, in their opinion, less glamorous teams
The game tonight is on Sky Sports 2 and there will be commentary on Cardiff City World and on BBC Radio Wales. Kick off is at 7:45pm.