Cardiff v Newcastle United: Why Neil Warnock Wants To Get One Over Old Rival Rafael Benitez

Neil Warnock falling out with an opposition manager.  Well, that's no surprise in itself, but the Cardiff City boss holds a significant negativity towards Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez, and the pair do battle in south Wales in Saturday's Premier League early kick-off.

The feud dates back more than decade when Warnock was managing Sheffield United and Benitez was pulling the strings at Liverpool in 2007, and Warnock's Blades were ensconced in a Premier League relegation battle, but as Benitez was preparing his squad for the Reds famous Champions League final win over AC Milan, they had to play Fulham in a league match 18 days before the European showpiece.

Unsurprisingly, Benitez rested a host of key figures for Liverpool's clash with Fulham, and the Cottagers, who were looking to avoid relegation themselves won 1-0, and Warnock was fuming with the Spaniard, who elected to play a weakened side.  The three points picked up by Fulham that day helped them secure safety, and Warnock's side were relegated to the second tier.

Looking back on that sour relegation, Warnock said, "I was disappointed in Benitez, I’ll never forgive Benitez for playing what wasn’t even a reserve team."

Now, the pair will meet at the Cardiff City Stadium at 12:30pm on Saturday afternoon, and it's Benitez that dominates the head-to-head record as in the five times they have locked horns the Spaniard has won four of the matches, while the pair have played out one draw, so Warnock will be desperate to pick up his first win over the legendary boss.

Defeat for both sides last weekend (Cardiff lost 2-0 to Bournemouth & Newcastle lost 2-1 to Tottenham Hotspur) has meant that both teams have started life on the back foot in the new campaign, but Warnock will be hoping the negativity surrounding the Magpies and its owner could aid the Bluebirds chances of picking up their first points of the season, after gaining promotion from the Championship last season.

So, while the action on the pitch will take centre stage on Saturday lunchtime, there will no doubt be one eye glued to the technical areas of both managers to see if their rivalry erupts once again.