Cardiff vs Leeds (preview)

Cardiff City play host to one of their fiercest rivals as Leeds United travel for the important Championship game. Leeds United are rock bottom of the league after an appalling season to date, many expected the Yorkshire club to challenge for promotion this season but some lacklustre performances and dissappointing results see them rooted to the foot of the table and with the worst goal difference in the league.

The Leeds camp has been rocked this week folowing allegations of a 'mole' inside the team responsible for leaking teamsheets and tactics to Crystal Palace boss Peter Taylor before the sides met last week. Boss Dennis Wise went public with his investigation but denial from midfielder Shaun Derry has led to a failure to identify the culprit.

A lack of consistency has underpinned Leeds' underachievement of late and 3 wins and 3 losses in the last 6 games represents the lack of stability. Wise replaced Kevin Blackwell in October but has failed to lift the club free from relegation trouble and they fail to pick up points on a relular basis having drawn just 4 matches over the entire season to date.


Cardiff grabbed a late winner up at Elland Road with a late Willo Flood counter attack. Cardiff also won the two encounters last season after spectacular winners on both occasions by Jason Koumas.
Some bad feeling exists between the supporters, stemming back to the memorable 2-1 victory by Division 3 Cardiff over the then Premiership leaders.



Cardiff City have picked up well since the transfer window opened and have won 3 and drawn 1 in the last 4 games. Prior to that run, they looked bereft of confidence and were without a win in 13 but the arrivals of new blood has added fresh impetus and the confidence returned.

Bluebirds boss Dave Jones is frantically searching for a loan centre-half to play in tomorrow's game with both Darren Purse (back) and Glenn Loovens (ban) unavailable.



An important match for both sides then, Cardiff need a win to keep them in the play-off pack with Sunderland and Colchester breathing down their necks. leeds United need a win desperately to get them off the bottom of the table. Leeds don't draw many, but this could well be one where they do.

VitalCardiff prediction: 1-1

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