Cardiff City return to the Welsh Capital as they host Daniel Farke’s Leeds United.
The Opposition:
The Whites hit the ground running last season and fought for the top two for the majority of the season, however, were forced to settle for the Play-Offs. The Whites cruised past Norwich in the Semi-Final, however were beaten by Southampton in the Play-Off final.
The Whites were forced to replace the likes of Crysencio Summerville, Glen Kamara and Georginio Rutter over the summer. As Farke added Joe Rodon from Spurs, Alex Cairns from Salford, Joe Rothwell from Bournemouth, Jayden Bogle from Sheffield United, Largie Ramazani from Almeria, Manor Soloman from Spurs, Ao Tanaka from Düsseldorf and Isaac Schmidt from St. Gallen.
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.
The Bluebirds:
Cardiff City come in on the back of a difficult defeat against Derby County. A simple goal from Kenzo Goudmijn was enough for the Rams to see off a passive Bluebirds.
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 - Jamilu Collins is back available for Cardiff. Callum Robinson, Jesper Daland, Aaron Ramsey, Ryotaro Tsunoda, Kion Etete and Isaak Davies remain out.
Leeds United - Dan James is out. Late decisions to be made on Manor Soloman, Max Wober, Joe Rothwell, Joe Rodon and Junior Firpo.
Preferred XI:
GK - Ethan Horvath
RB - Perry Ng
RCB - Calum Chambers
LCB - Will Fish
LB - Callum O’Dowda
RDM - Manolis Siopis
LDM - Alex Robertson
CAM - Rubin Colwill
RW - Anwar El Ghazi
LW - Chris Willock
ST - Wilfried Kanga
Prediction:
Cardiff City 0-2 Leeds United
I see Cardiff showing energy in spells, however being overwhelmed by Leeds’ quality and conceding two late on.
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