Cardiff City return to the CCS for the first time in 2024 as they host fourth place Leeds United.
The Opposition:
Since the two sides met on the opening day, The Whites have come on leaps and bounds and find themselves right in the promotion mix. Leeds have picked up impressive wins against the likes of Leicester and Ipswich, however, The Whites have struggled on the road this season, coming into this on the back of three away losses on the trot. With just three losses in Leeds' last thirteen outings they're catching the eye this season with attractive forward thinking football.
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 come into this one fourth in the Championship table.
The Bluebirds:
Last time out in the league Cardiff were victorious against a struggling QPR. Goals from Dimitrios Goutas and Perry Ng were enough to secure the three points. A scrappy game where Cardiff's quality just shone through and got them over the line in the end.
If we go based off the first fixture between these two sides, Cardiff will look to hit Leeds on the break and allow The Whites to have the majority of possession. The Bluebirds' wide players will have to be on the top of their games if Cardiff get anything out of this one.
Team News:
Cardiff City - Dimitrios Goutas and Karlan Grant back available for The Bluebirds. Ramsey and O'Dowda remain out. Runarsson and Panzo's availability unknown as both are set to return to their parent clubs.
Leeds United - Meslier back available for the visitors. Cooper a major doubt as he hasn't trained this week. Byram, Gelhardt and Poveda expected to travel despite niggles. Struijk out.
Preferred XI:
GK - Jak Alnwick
RB - Perry Ng
RCB - Dimitrios Goutas
LCB - Mark McGuinness
LB - Jamilu Collins
RDM - Manolis Siopis
LDM - Ryan Wintle
CAM - Rubin Colwill
RW - Josh Bowler
LW - Karlan Grant
ST - Yakou Meite
Scored Prediction:
Cardiff City 2-2 Leeds United
Feels sort of mandotary that this will be the score after the two sides recent meetings. If I'm honest, I see history repeating itself. I see Cardiff getting an early double, however, Leeds will fight back and get a late equaliser.
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