Leeds United vs. Cardiff City preview: Warnock returns to face depleted Whites
It’s tenth vs. fourth at Elland Road on Saturday, as the two sides are now set after the January window. Leeds remains short on first squad talent.
An injured and suspended Leeds United welcome Cardiff City and Neil Warnock to Elland Road on Saturday afternoon. Christiansen’s men are in 10th place and currently sit four points behind a play off spot. Cardiff are 4th with 51 points, so it’s six places and just seven points that are the difference as these two teams clash.
Last time out, Leeds drew away to Hull City in a goalless result that most (except a few die-hards) would have expected because of multiple injuries and suspensions that are affecting the side.
Arguably, the expectations will be higher Saturday against a much tougher opponent considering United are at home, debutants are bedded in, Phillips and Pennington return to the squad and competition for the striker position has increased with the injection of new young blood.
Young Tyler Roberts has been brought in from the Premier League’s West Bromwich Albion with an eye on the future, but he will not feature for this encounter. He is not phased by the transfer and openly accepts the expectations placed upon him:
This game, though, will be an uphill struggle, and Cardiff manager Neil Warnock of course knows Leeds inside out. Love him or hate him he’s doing a good job at Cardiff, a side who were in the relegation zone when he took over in October last season. There is still a way to go this season, but he is in touching distance of the possibility of a record 8th promotion and won’t give up now.
His assistant manager is Kevin Blackwell who also knows Leeds well, and these two will know how to work the Leeds fans (as well as the referee) to their own advantage.
Warnock will not have to wait until he has departed to hear this chant.
In a sign of intent, Warnock has strengthened the Blues’ side in the January window with the addition of £5 million striker Gary Madine. Madine is a bustling, workman-like, traditional centre forward who fits the Warnock mould.
He, of course, scored against Leeds in the opening day fixture away to Bolton.
Key Man
Interim captain Pablo Hernandez didn’t have the best of games against Hull. However, he remains our key man to unlocking this Cardiff defence, a defence that’s one of the most frugal in the Championship being joint-third-least goals conceded. The argument for Lasogga is that he needs the ball to his feet, and Hernandez is the man to provide those through balls. He is also our set piece taker, and with Cardiff’s approach being more physical, opportunities may be presented as our wingers are brought down near the box.
On his day, Hernandez is unplayable. Let’s hope Saturday is one of those days.
In 26 league appearances, Pablo has 3 goals scored (6 in all comps) and a passing accuracy of 72%. He’s a bit light weight on tackles, winning only 39% of duels, however he has created 44 chances and has 5 assists.
Cardiff at Present
Managed by two failed former Leeds managers, Cardiff will be up for this game to prove the Whites were wrong to let their head men go. Warnock (who has come out of retirement more times than Status Quo and is from the same Jurrasic era) is actually a trained referee. I am not sure what Kevin Blackwell is trained as. His position at Cardiff is Assistant Manager.
Another former White in Blue is Sol Bamba. Wanting to get one over on the club that let him go, he played well against Leeds at Cardiff in a midfield role. He should be back in his usual Centre Back position for the Bluebirds on Saturday.
Lee Tomlin left Cardiff in the transfer window but has been replaced by Jamie Ward coming in the opposite direction from Forest on loan. Also departing was Omar Bogle and Lee Camp. As mentioned, Gary Madine arrived on a permanent signing from Bolton Wanderers.
Cardiff’s top scorer is Junior Hoilett on 8 followed by Joe Ralls on 7 for the season. They have scored 40 goals in the league and conceded 25, winning 15 games and losing 7.
Injuries and suspensions
Conor Shaughnessy has been ruled out for several weeks and Luke Ayling may not feature again this season. Caleb Ekuban will also not feature Saturday as he remains at least seven days away from a return. Samuel Saiz, Liam Cooper, and Eunan O’Kane are banned, however Kalvin Phillips should return to the squad.
For Cardiff, Joe Bennet is suspended for his red card tackle against Manchester City’s Leroy Sane. Further absentees will include Lee Peltier, Matthew Connolly and Craig Bryson.
Form
Leeds: L | D | L | L | D
Cardiff: L | L | L | W | D
Head-to-Head
In 23 games between the clubs at Elland Road: Leeds have won 10, Cardiff 5, and the teams have drawn 8 times.
WHAT
Leeds United vs. Cardiff City
EFL Championship Fixture
#LEECAR
WHERE
Elland Road, Leeds
LUTV, BBC Radio Leeds, ESPN3, International Listings
WHEN
Saturday, 3 February 2018
3:00pm BT
WHO
Leeds United’s predicted starting XI
Wiedwald, De Bock, Jansson, Pennington, Berardi, Phillips, Forshaw, Alioski, Hernandez, Roofe, Lasogga
Cardiff City’s predicted starting XI
Etheridge, Manga, Morrison, Bamba, Richards, Grujic, Ralls, Wildschut, Hoilett, Ward, Madine
ODDS
Leeds 7/4
Draw 9/4
Cardiff 8/5
PREDICTION
Cardiff are off form of late, losing three out of their last five in the league. Leeds recent form has been a self-inflicted disaster, but they are at home and should (should) be fighting to keep their season alive. Those facts should make it a more even playing field. The odds suggest it will be close, but the bookies fancy a win rather than a draw. I’m going Leeds 2–1.
