BULUT ERA TO BEGIN AT ELLAND ROAD

New Cardiff manager, Erol Bulut will travel to Elland Road to manage his first competitive game as Bluebirds boss on Sunday.

Erol Bulut with Nikolaos Karydas (Assistant Coach) and Nadir Sonmez (Assistant Coach)

The Opposition:

Leeds United have been tipped by many to make an instant return to the Premier League under new boss Daniel Farke. Leeds have an exciting forward line with the likes of Wilfried Gnonto, Dan James, Crysencio Summerville, Jack Harrison, Georginio Rutter, Luis Sinisterra and Patrick Bamford all still at the club at the time of writing. Exciting youngsters Charlie Cresswell, Cody Drameh, Leo Hjede, Sam Greenwood and Darko Gyabi are all expected to feature more frequently following The Whites relegation from the Premier League. Leeds also have bags of experiences with the likes of Liam Cooper, Stuart Dallas, Luke Ayling and new recruit Karl Darlow.

Farke is thought to be aiming for possession-based football in which positional play is key, developing intelligent combinations to move the ball into dangerous and effective attacking areas. The pace of play is mixed up from time to time but there is little which convinces Farke to go more direct. Farke has always preferred a 4-2-3-1 system.

Leeds have added both Ethan Ampadu and Karl Darlow this summer. Ampadu comes off the back of back to back relegations in Serie A with Venezia and Spezia respectfully but has showcased his talents especially for Wales. Darlow is an experienced goalkeeper who brings bags of experience having played for Nottingham Forest, Newport, Walsall, Newcastle and most recently Hull. Sam Byram is also supposedly imminent.

Some could argue this is the perfect time for The Bluebirds to play The Whites with many of Leeds players' future still up in the air. The likes of Tyler Adams, Jack Harrison, Wilfried Gnonto and Crysencio Summerville all still being tipped for moves away from Elland Road.

The Bluebirds:

Exciting times to be a Bluebird! New boss Erol Bulut has brought a feel good feeling back to the club, obviously helped by the signing of Aaron Ramsey. The Bluebirds have massively upgraded for the 23/24 season with the signings of Karlan Grant, Dimitrios Goutas, Josh Bowler, Ike Ugbo, Yakou Meite and previously mentioned Aaron Ramsey. Cardiff were previously criticised for the lack of firepower in the forward areas, that is no longer the case.

Erol Bulut has adapted a 4-2-3-1 system with the ball and whereas without it appears The Bluebirds transition to a 4-4-2. Bulut has brought back playing out from the back which has only ever previously been tested by Steve Morison. In this new system we see fullbacks make inverted runs allowing more freedom for the midfielders and allowing more one on one opportunities for wingers, something that very much suits both Karlan Grant and Josh Bowler. The Bluebirds high defensive line is risky but new signing Goutas appears to suit it down to the ground, already bringing up the levels of both Mark McGuinness and Jack Simpson in pre season.

The Bluebirds are still in the market as it's been widely speculated that Bulut is keen on a centre half, a dominant midfielder and a striker.

Team News:

Cardiff City - Bulut expects to be without goalkeeper Ryan Allsop and midfielder Romaine Sawyers on the weekend as both are suffering with different issues. However, on a more positive note, Yakou Meite, Mark McGuinness, Joe Ralls and Rubin Colwill all returned to training ahead of Sunday's fixture and Bulut expects all four to be available.

Leeds United - Leeds will be without their 3 strikers in Patrick Bamford, Georginio Rutter and Matteo Joseph who are all injured. Star men Tyler Adams, Stuart Dallas and Jack Harrison are all also set to miss the Season Opener. Fullbacks Junior Firpo and Cody Drameh both also out. Illan Meslier is expected to start between the sticks.

Prediction: I expect a high energy game with both sides really going at it. The Bluebirds are really capable of hurting Leeds down the flanks with the likes of Grant and O'Dowda against an ageing Luke Ayling. With The Bluebirds it's just about the final touch which in pre-season hasn't been good enough. I expect The Bluebirds to be successful down the flanks but hopefully either Callum Robinson or Yakou Meite start up front to be on the end of it.

As much as The Bluebirds are capable of hurting Leeds, The Whites are more than capable of equally hurting Cardiff. The likes of Gnonto and James offer bags of pace and are capable of getting in behind The Bluebirds defence. I expect a tough battle in the midfield with Welsh team mates Ethan Ampadu and Aaron Ramsey coming up against each other.

Ultimately the main concern for both sides is scoring, Leeds are without 3 strikers meaning it's likely Gelhardt will start up front who scored 3 in 20 for Sunderland last season. For The Bluebirds Ike Ugbo hasn't looked like scoring early on but does offer pace in the forward lines which could hurt the likes of Cooper and Struijk. As previously mentioned, I would ideally like to see either Yakou Meite or Callum Robinson start up front at Elland Road.

Preferred XI:

GK - Jak Alnwick

LB - Callum O'Dowda

LCB - Jack Simpson

RCB - Dimitrios Goutas

RB - Perry Ng

LDM - Joe Ralls Captain

RDM - Ryan Wintle

CAM - Aaron Ramsey

LM - Karlan Grant

RM - Josh Bowler

ST - Callum Robinson

Score Prediction:

1-1

I could see The Bluebirds striking early and catching Leeds off guard with a high energy press from the start, however I could see Leeds growing into the game in the second half and nicking one half way through the second half.

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