As Omer Riza prepares to take charge of his first game in charge of Cardiff City, Sportin Wales previews that and the rest of the action in the English and Welsh leagues this weekend:

Audition For Riza

Following a week of speculation about who will succeed out-going manager Erol Bulut, Omer Riza has the opportunity to stake a claim to the job on the Saturday, when the Bluebird travel to Hull for their latest league fixture.

Riza, who was passed over for the Watford job in March, has vowed to make Cardiff more attacking in their approach, having only scored one goal in six league games so far this season.

“I’m an attack-minded coach. We haven’t got enough bodies in forward areas over the last six games and we’ve been timid with our pressing,” said Riza, who is looking to reverse Cardiff’s fortunes following their worst start in 94 years.

Swans Welcome Bristol

Swansea host mid-table Bristol City on Saturday afternoon as they look to keep their good recent form going and climb into the play-off spots.

With recent speculation that midfielder Joe Allen is considering a return to international football, the strength of Swansea’s midfield has been highlighted. New signing Goncalo Franco has slotted in seamlessly next to Matt Grimes, while Allen and Jay Fulton offer excellent back up.

That foundation, along with a settled back five behind them, as given Swansea’s exciting young attacker a base to work from that has born fruit so far this season. Manager Luke Williams will be hoping the momentum can continue against Bristol City.

Parkinson Prepared for ‘Hectic’ Week

Wrexham manager has admitted that this coming week – with away matches at Leyton Orient and Stevenage, before a home fixture against Northampton Town – will be a ‘hectic’ one for his side, but maintains that they are in good shape for it.

While all three of Wrexham’s opponents sit in mid-table, Parkinson is not taking any of them lightly, especially with the fixtures starting to arrive thick and fast at this point in the season.

Town, who are top of League One on goal difference above Birmingham City, are looking to build again on the form that was stopped by that 3-1 defeat at Birmingham a couple of weekends ago.

Wildig and Spellman Boost For County

Newport captain Aaron Wildig is due to return to the side on the weekend following a couple of weeks out with a concussion, while new winger Michael Spellman is set for a County debut following a spell on the side lines with a thigh injury.

The Exiles are looking to bounce back from three consecutive defeats as they host Crewe Alexandra, who travel to Rodney Parade off the back of four straight wins in the league.

While it will be a tough test for Newport, there is likely to be plenty of goals as two of the highest scoring (and conceding!) sides meet on Saturday afternoon.

Full Round of Adran and Cymru Premier Action

TNS, who lost back-to-back league matches for the first time since 2019 (149 games ago!), will be looking to bounce back when they travel to Newtown, themselves on a four-game unbeaten run, on Friday night.

Also on Friday night are matches between Aberystwyth and Barry Town, as well as Cardiff Met and Haverfordwest County.

Saturday sees the rest of the action, while Sunday is the time for the Adran Premier to shine, with the headline fixture of Wrexham vs Swansea kicking off at 17:10.

Fixtures

Friday

Barry Town United vs Aberystwyth Town

Haverfordwest County vs Cardiff Met

Newtown vs The New Saints

Saturday

Briton Ferry vs Bala Town

Flint Town United vs Penybont

Caernarfon Town vs Connah’s Quay

Hull City vs Cardiff City

Leyton Orient vs Wrexham

Newport County vs Crewe Alexandra

Sunday

Swansea City vs Bristol City

Barry Town Ladies vs Aberystwyth Town

Briton Ferry Llansawel vs Cardiff Met Ladies

Cardiff City vs The New Saints

Wrexham vs Swansea City

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