South Wales derby: Swansea and Cardiff fans urged to give positive image

Swansea City and Cardiff fans will be reunited for the second Premier League south Wales derby

Swansea City and Cardiff City fans are being urged to give another positive image to millions of TV viewers by ensuring Saturday's south Wales derby is trouble-free.

The two sides meet at Swansea's Liberty Stadium desperate for points as they both aim to avoid relegation from the Premier League.

Police made no arrests during their first fixture in football's top flight.

Cardiff fans are being escorted to the game on free buses.

Known as bubble trips, away supporters can only get to a derby match on the buses which are escorted by police for the 40-mile journey. They are then given their match tickets.

Bubble trips were introduced in the 1990s, after visiting fans were banned from games because of violence which would flare up on derby day.

Since then, trouble has been minimal with no arrests during the last meeting between the two clubs at the Cardiff City Stadium on 3 November.

Match commander, Supt Phil Davies, said: "As always, we want the focus ahead of the game to be on the football, not the policing of the event which we are now well accustomed to.

"The organisation of ticketing and transport of away fans has once again been very well managed by the clubs. Our policing plan aims to ensure the safety of all supporters on the day.

'Enjoyable occasion'

"At the reverse fixture in Cardiff earlier this season, there we no arrests and by working closely with the two clubs we were able to provide a trouble free environment for everyone who attended.

"The good behaviour of the fans as well as effective stewarding and policing, all combined to create an enjoyable occasion for everyone and gave a very positive impression to the millions of people who were watching on television around the world."

Cardiff won the last meeting 1-0 and Saturday's match is crucial for both sides who are involved in a relegation battle.

Cardiff are next to bottom in 19th place in the Premier League and Swansea are 12th but only three points separate the two teams with 14 games remaining.

The Swans sacked manager Michael Laudrup on Tuesday following a poor run of form and appointed club captain Garry Monk as head coach.

Cardiff have also changed their manager with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replacing Malky Mackay who was sacked after a public falling out with owner Vincent Tan after Christmas.

Should the Bluebirds win, it will be the first time either club has won both league matches in the same season.

The match kicks off at 17:30 GMT and will be broadcast around the world.