The first round of matches back in the Championship conclude on Sunday afternoon when Cardiff City play host to a Leeds United side who will have really liked how the results went while they watched on over the course of Saturday.
Cardiff won’t have been too disappointed with what they saw though and a win here will send them level with Preston in sixth. Although Leeds were knocked off top spot on Saturday but a win here will send them 10 points clear of third placed Brentford.
Cardiff City
It is always hard to know whether lockdown came at a good or a bad time for some sides and one of those is Cardiff City. They weren’t in the greatest of form in the immediacy of time leading up to lockdown but they have gradually built their way towards the top six and still harbour hopes of an immediate return to the Premier League. They had one or two key players out injured so from that point of view the break was no bad thing.
What will be interesting with this Cardiff side is how they cope without fans at home. They’re a pretty passionate bunch down at the Cardiff City Stadium, as I’ve witnessed myself this season, and while that does bring pressure with it, it also really helps especially in big matches like this. If Cardiff are going to get promoted they need to improve in defensive areas. Only three of the top 15 have conceded more than them.
Leeds United
The break certainly did not come at a good time for Leeds United. They were flying when lockdown came and were surely going to stroll to automatic promotion. They should still get automatic promotion with a fair bit in hand, but after messing it up completely last season, three months thinking about it might not have been the best thing for them. They will know however that if they can win here they will be in a wonderful position ahead of the clash with Fulham next week.
One reason why Leeds were cruising to promotion is their defence. Nobody has a better defensive record than them this term with Ben White at the heart of the back line one of the Championship players of the season. They haven’t always been free scoring at the other end but they are still pretty effective in that part of the game. Really the only thing that can deny Leeds now is Leeds themselves so they will be out to show they are mentally strong enough to get over the line here.
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Team News
Greg Cunningham has returned to training after a knee issue but he is unlikely to start this match. Neil Harris has hinted that some of his squad are not at the required fitness levels although he hasn’t named who they are.
Leeds United will be without goalkeeper Kiko Casilla so Illan Meslier will continue to deputise for him. There have been no other major issues reported by Marcelo Bielsa so he will have one or two selection issues to tackle.
Betting
I’m all over Leeds United here and the recent trend of away teams has nothing to do with it. If there is one thing we have seen from Marcelo Bielsa and this Leeds side it is that they are always insanely fit and I expect them to be ready to go from the start here. They might not be at their brilliant best but there is a good chance they are not going to need to be. I say that because Cardiff are probably the opposite. They need to work themselves into their work.
I thought it was a bit worrying when Harris hinted that not all of his squad are as fit as he would like. That would concern me as a punter if I was looking to get involved in Cardiff. If this was in front of a crowd it probably wouldn’t be worth betting on Leeds given the feisty atmosphere that this fixture creates, but behind closed doors I expect the Yorkshire side to show their class. Leeds are the best team in this division and they have a chance to show that here.
Tips
Back Leeds United (-0.75AH) to beat Cardiff City for a 3/10 stake at 1.85 with Bet365
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