Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Match Preview - Cardiff City v. Leeds United - Momentum?
Friday, 16th Sep 2016 19:21 by Lucas Monk

After seeing off the challenge of Owen Coyle's lowly Blackburn on Tuesday night by two goals to one to secure a first home win of the new campaign, Leeds United make the trip to Cardiff City looking to string a couple of respectable results together.

Leeds United's visit to Cardiff City in tomorrow's early kick-off (12:30), presents a good opportunity for the Whites to secure back-to-back victories in the Championship for the first time since April. With Paul Trollope's side in the bottom three and reeling after three straight defeats, (the latest being a 3-0 away debacle at Preston), many feel that Garry Monk's Leeds stand a highly probable chance of taking all three points tomorrow.

Although Cardiff have most certainly been something of a bogey side for United historically, (prior to Leeds' 1-0 defeat of the Bluebirds in November 2015, Cardiff hadn't been beaten by the Whites since 1984), Leeds managed to do the double over them last season under the tutelage of Steve Evans, winning 2-0 at the Cardiff City Stadium back in March in addition to winning the aforementioned match at Elland Road back in last November. Perhaps then, the tide has turned, and Leeds may be able to have a long unbeaten run against the Bluebirds, one can but hope.

Leeds are currently in 18th, whilst their Welsh opposition currently reside in 22nd place. After their victory over Blackburn and Cardiff's mauling at the hands of Preston, a strong argument could be made that Leeds not only have the upper hand tomorrow, but also an opportunity to finally forge some consistent form and put a bit of a run together. With another home clash against Blackburn coming up on a Tuesday, United have a chance to put their horrific August behind them and begin climbing up the league standings.

One though, can never be sure of the outcome when these two sides play one another, given the history behind this fixture. With the experienced, reputable Rickie Lambert potentially leading the charge alongside Anthony Pilkington for the home side against a blossoming Leeds central defensive pairing of Kyle Bartley and Pontus Jansson, this clash should certainly make for one of the more interesting encounters of the weekend.

Team News

Cardiff - Defenders Jazz Richards and Matt Connolly along with midfield set-piece wizard Peter Whittingham may all be in line for recalls, while Ben Wilson faces competition in goal from namesake Ben Amos. Midfielder Stuart O'Keefe has recently recovered from a broken arm, while defender Joe Bennett will hope to shake off a calf injury.

Leeds - Gaetano Berardi is still out with a hamstring injury but the Swiss defender is due to return to training next week. Midfielder Liam Bridcutt is a doubt after being forced off with injury early in the second-half against Blackburn in midweek, whilst Kemar Roofe should return to the matchday squad after recovering from a calf strain.

Probable Lineups

Cardiff - 3-5-2: Wilson; Connolly, Morrison, Peltier; John, Whittingham, Gunnarsson, Ralls, Richards; Pilkington, Lambert.

Leeds - 4-2-3-1: Green; Ayling, Bartley, Jansson, Taylor; Bridcutt, O'Kane; Sacko, Hernandez, Dallas; Antonsson.

Media: Cardiff boss Paul Trollope and United head coach Garry Monk

Both bosses had their say ahead of tomorrow's clash.

Cardiff City head coach Paul Trollope told BBC Wales Sport:

"There's probably four or five Championship teams in the bottom half with greater expectations, ourselves being one of them.

"You have to look at yourself and get your own house in order and that's our focus.

"We've got some business to put right after a disappointing couple of weeks so that's our focus, making sure we're fresh and play with a big hunger, a big desire and we're tactically ready as well."

Garry Monk told BBC Radio Leeds:

"We respect Cardiff and their manager, and they have a very good squad, a very experienced squad.

"We're very new and very together and learning all the time, so we have to go down there and really be focused and concentrate.

"We're determined to back up our performance from Tuesday and keep pushing forward."

Match Facts

Leeds have won in their last two meetings with Cardiff - they've never won three in a row against the Bluebirds before.

The Bluebirds have tasted defeat in their last three Championship matches; they haven't lost four consecutive Championship games since way back in August 2007.

Leeds have kept just one clean sheet in their last 18 league games, however, it did come in their second away game of the current season, when they saw off Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough in a 2-0 win last month.

Former Norwich forward Anthony Pilkington has scored each of Cardiff's last three league goals, although they failed to score last time out at Preston in midweek.

Chris Wood has scored three goals in his last five league games for Leeds; the most recent the opener in Tuesday night's win at home to Blackburn.

Key Players

Leeds United - Hadi Sacko, Winger - (7.02 WhoScored rating)

22-year-old French prodigy Hadi Sacko played a starring role as Leeds defeated Blackburn 2-1 in midweek. The on-loan Sporting Lisbon wide-man wreaked havoc down the right-hand side with his direct running, silky dribbling, and electric pace. He set up Chris Wood for the opener on Tuesday with a fine low cross after hurtling down the right, and he'll be looking to make a further impact tomorrow.

Cardiff City - Anthony Pilkington, Forward - (6.99 WhoScored rating)

The 28-year-old, formerly of Huddersfield and Norwich City, is Cardiff's top scorer so far this season with three strikes to his name. In fact, Cardiff's last three goals in the league have all been scored by Pilkington; arguably making him their most crucial player at this moment in time. He was man of the match for his side in their recent 3-2 away defeat to former club Norwich at Carrow Road, netting a brace on the day, and he poses the biggest threat to the Leeds United defence.

Writer's View

After a mostly barren run throughout August, we are now presented with an opportunity to put together a string of good performances and results. In my view, a key ingredient required to achieve this success is that of continuity. After the tactical change to a 4-2-3-1 from the more primitive 4-4-2 yielded three points on Tuesday night, I'd like to see us stick with that formation as well as the personnel that delivered the goods in midweek.

The midfield engine room of Eunan O'Kane and Liam Bridcutt was both efficient and energetic, we posed a real threat on both flanks through Sacko and Dallas as well as having Hernandez playmaking in the hole, and it's clear that the 4-2-3-1 is the best fit for us. The recent introduction of Pontus Jansson into the heart of the defence has improved us immeasurably at the back, and the blossoming partnership between himself and Kyle Bartley could prove key in negating the threat that will be posed by Cardiff's Anthony Pilkington.

As long as Garry Monk sticks to his guns and refrains from chopping and changing come midday tomorrow, I firmly believe that we will really begin to get the ball rolling for this season with another three points despite Cardiff historically not being the happiest hunting ground for us over the years.

Prediction: Cardiff City 1-2 Leeds United

Photo: Action Images



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.


You need to login in order to post your comments

Leeds United Polls

About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Advertising
© FansNetwork 2024