Erol Bulut seeks for his first win as Bluebirds boss against recently relegated Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.
The Opposition:
Leicester have enjoyed a successful start to the 23/24 season with back-to-back victories. The Foxes have completed some impressive signings so far this summer. Conor Coady from Wolves, Stephy Mavididi from Montpellier, Harry Winks from Spurs, Callum Doyle from Man City, Mads Hermansen from Brondby, and Cesare Casadei from Chelsea. Leicester also appointed a new manager this summer, Enzo Maresca. Maresca formerly assisted Pep Guardiola at Man City. Maresca previously managed Man City's academy side and also Parma briefly.
Maresca follows the philosophy of Juego de Posicion or Positional Play, popularised by Guardiola. The philosophy aims to find the 'free man' by creating overloads within a specific zone of the pitch. Achieving this allows teams to keep possession and move up the pitch, and when done successfully ensures the creation of numerical overloads as well as overloads in quality. Considering Leicester City are likely to dominate possession in the Championship, adopting this approach provides the best chance for the Foxes to control and win matches by pinning back the opposition and breaking them down with wave after wave of attacks.
Maresca completed his sixth summer signing on Tuesday with Cesare Casadei completing a loan move from Chelsea. Casadei has been registered in time to make his Foxes debut this weekend. Leicester are still in the market for player having been heavily linked with Man City defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis, however, it's unlikely any more signings will be made before Saturday.
The Bluebirds:
Cardiff were stunned by QPR on the weekend and will look to put things right at the King Power Stadium. It will be very tough this weekend as they pay a visit to the Championship favourites.
It's hard to know what style Bulut will play against The Foxes. The Bluebirds used a more counter-attacking system on the opening day of the season against Leeds, however, used a more possession-based style against QPR. Given Leicester's style of play, it's likely we could play a counter-attacking style against The Foxes.
Cardiff have added both Manolis Siopis and Alex Runarsson in time to play The Foxes so both are available to make their debuts tomorrow.
Team News:
Cardiff City - Yakou Meite and Joe Ralls are back available for The Bluebirds. Ryan Allsop remains out. Manolis Siopis and Alex Runarsson are available for selection.
Leicester City - Conor Coady and Kasey McAteer are out for the hosts. A late decision will be made on keeper Mads Hermansen. Casadei is available to make his debut.
Prediction:
I don't expect The Bluebirds to have much of the ball, but having seen our opening two games that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Leicester have an impressive array of attacking options such as Jamie Vardy, Kelechi Iheanacho, Patson Daka, Stephy Mavididi, Marc Albrighton, and Dennis Praet. Not to mention their impressive midfield of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Wilfried Ndidi, Harry Winks, and Boubakary Soumare.
It will be a good test for The Bluebirds who will have to be clever in attack and take their chances which will likely be limited.
Predicted XI:
GK - Jak Alnwick
LB - Jamilu Collins
LCB - Dimitrios Goutas
RCB - Mark McGuinness
RB - Perry Ng
RDM - Ebou Adams
LDM - Joe Ralls
CAM - Aaron Ramsey
LW - Callum Robinson
RW - Josh Bowler
ST - Ike Ugbo
Score Prediction:
Leicester City 2-1 Cardiff City
I could see this game being very similar to the Leeds game. The Bluebirds could catch the Foxes out early on however with Cardiff's defensive problems so far I could see Leicester edging us out.
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