Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text commentary of the Championship meeting between Cardiff City and Leeds United.

The Bluebirds come into this game on the back of a 1-0 defeat at Millwall last time out, but it is clear to see that new manager Russell Slade has started to put his own spin on the side. Leeds head to South Wales under new management themselves, meanwhile – their third change of leadership this season – as Neil Redfearn looks to kick off his second stint in charge with three much-needed points.

Kickoff at the Cardiff City Stadium is less than 30 minutes away, so let's take a look at how the teams line up for this one...

TEAM NEWS!

CARDIFF CITY STARTING XI: Marshall, Brayford, Fabio, Ecuele Manga, Morrison, Whittingham, Gunnarsson, Noone, Pilkington, Le Fondre, Macheda

LEEDS UNITED STARTING XI: Silvestri, Berardi, Bellusci, Pearce, Warnock, Bianchi, Cook, Mowatt, Doukara, Antenucci, Morison

Just the one change for Leeds, then, as Souleymane Doukara returns to the side in place of Brazilian midfielder Adryan who misses out through injury. Having missed the trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers through suspension, the Frenchman will line up in what looks to be a 4-3-3 formation, with Steve Morison starting for the second week running.

Billy Sharp and Rodolph Austin remain sidelined for the visitors, meanwhile, as they go in search of just their second win on the road this season.

In terms of the home side, Russell Slade has named an unnamed team for this one as he looks towards some consistency. Previous manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's tinkering became infamous during his short tenure in South Wales, but Slade will stick with the same XI that fell 1-0 at the New Den last weekend.

Kenwyne Jones was rated "50-50" coming into this one, although he has been deemed fit enough for a place among the substitutes, while Ben Turner misses out despite playing 90 minutes for the Under-21s in the week.

Matts Moller Daehli misses out for the Bluebirds this afternoon, and his chances of impressing at the Cardiff City Stadium are growing increasingly thinner.

Mats Møller Dæhli in the @OfficialPeters family stand having photos with fans before kick off! pic.twitter.com/i4xgSClb9l — Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) November 1, 2014

BENCH WATCH!

CARDIFF CITY SUBSTITUTES: Moore, Gabbidon, Connolly, Ravel, Ralls, Jones, Maynard

LEEDS UNITED SUBSTITUTES: S Taylor, Byram, Cooper, Tonge, Sloth, Dawson, Montenegro

So as already mentioned, top-scorer Jones is among the hosts' substitutes this afternoon, alongside Ravel Morrison and Nicky Maynard who can also provide some attacking threat if needed. Leeds also have plenty of options to turn to including Denmark international Casper Sloth.

So as already mentioned, top-scorer Jones is among the hosts' substitutes this afternoon, alongside Ravel Morrison and Nicky Maynard who can also provide some attacking threat if needed. Leeds also have plenty of options to turn to, including Denmark international Casper Sloth.

Well Cardiff have enjoyed a rather indifferent campaign to date, although having hit a bad patch of form under former boss Solskjaer, Slade was surprisingly brought in after drawn-out negotiations to turn around the club's faltering fortunes. The former Leyton Orient manager couldn't have made a better start to life in the Welsh capital, winning his first two games to fire the Bluebirds back up the table.

Defeat at Millwall last time out left many questioning whether Slade had just papered over the cracks, however, with rather lethargic performance which better suited the performances under Solskjaer. But what is clear to see in the early days of the new rein is the fact that Cardiff have far more structure on the field, and sitting just four points behind a playoff berth, you would expect them to be among the challengers for a return to the Premier League come May.

Well in comparison to matters at Elland Road, Cardiff have enjoyed relative stability. Three new managers since April, the latest Neil Redfearn who officially signed the dotted line earlier today on a one-year rolling contract, has seen Leeds flirt more with relegation that promotion of late.

Redfearn picked up 10 points from a possible 12 in his last spell in charge of the club earlier this season before being overlooked, but he will need to act quick to turn around the Whites' fortunes at this moment in time. Having failed to win in their last six games, Leeds are quickly dropping down the division.

Well kickoff is just a few minutes away, but there is still time to check out what Sports Mole's On The Sofa team make of today's fixture

PREDICTION! Well Leeds have a truly dismal record against Cardiff, failing to beat the Welsh side in their last 15 meetings. In fact, the Bluebirds have won 10 of those fixtures, in a run stretching back 30 years when the Whites prevailed 1-0 at Ninian Park in a Division Two game. I'm expecting a similar story today, with the hosts coming out on top 2-1.

KICKOFF! Here we go then, can Cardiff maintain their positive home form? They have won their last three at the Cardiff City Stadium, while Leeds have won just once on their travels.

Peter Whittingham is playing far higher up the field this afternoon, as has been the case in every game under Slade. This game could be won or lost in midfield this afternoon, and you have to say Cardiff look a little lightweight in that area.

Peter Whittingham is playing far higher up the field this afternoon, as has been the case in every game under Slade. This game could be won or lost in midfield this afternoon, and you have to say Cardiff look a little lightweight in that area.

Some good closing down from the home side in these early stages, particularly down on the right-hand side where four men put Leeds's defensive men under pressure. Still very scrappy in these early stages, with neither side able to keep control of the ball.

Fabio goes on one of his trademark marauding runs forward, and nearly slips in Le Fondre, but it is just about cut out. Cardiff getting plenty of bodies forward to no avail at the moment.

Leeds just starting to get more of a foot on the ball, and following some good hold-up play from Steve Morison, they manage to break down the right through Doukara, but his cross is well cut out.

YELLOW CARD! Ten minutes in and Pearce has already entered the referee's book. His crunching challenge on Whittingham allowed the midfielder to fire away a free kick from about 25 yards out, which Silvestri pushed behind down low. Decent enough effort, although you would have expected the Leeds No.1 to save that.

"One Neil Redfearn" is the chant from the away section. Leeds supporters are more than happy with the appointment, and if the former Academy manager's previous record is anything to go by, he should be able to fire the club back up the table. It's all Cardiff on the field at the moment, meanwhile, as they knock the ball around in midfield.

There's more far more attacking intent from Cardiff at the moment, and Leeds are having to clear away a lot of crosses from both sides of the field. The latest came in from the left with Pilkington looping his header goalwards, Silvestri was put under some pressure by Le Fondre with the ball eventually dropping off the crossbar. The referee had already blown, though, due to Le Fondre's infringement which seemed a little harsh.

Leeds finally manage to string a few passes together, but some high pressing from Cardiff forces the away side all the way back to their goalkeeper. A couple of heavy first touches from Doukara hasn't helped matters.

CLOSE! Cardiff may have had far more of the ball in the attacking third in the opening quarter of this game, but it's Leeds who have just created arguably the best chance. A cross from Warnock was met by Morison, and his header flew narrowly over the bar.

CLOSE! Up the other end of the pitch, Cardiff win themselves a corner which Whittingham delivers perfectly as ever. The smallest man on the field, Adam Le Fondre, was waiting at the back post, but he couldn't direct his header towards the target. A decent chance which fell to the wrong man for the home side.

Noone looked to pick out Le Fondre inside the box with a searching cross from deep, and the ball found its way to the striker, only to bounce off him and back into the hands of the away side. It led to a Leeds attack, which culminated in Antenucci firing away a strike from the edge of the box which was blocked.

Leeds matching their opponents now in terms of possession in the areas where it matters, but Antenucci's strike from distance ended in Row Z. Moments before that Macheda looked to be pulled down inside the box by Pearce, but the referee waved play on.

YELLOW CARD! Gaetano Berardi is the second Whites player to be cautioned following a late tackle.

SHOT! Leeds work another decent shooting position, and this time they manage to test David Marshall through Doukara. He linked up well with Antenucci, before getting an angled-shot away which Cardiff's stopper handled with ease.

Brayford picks out Macheda in a good position inside the box, and the Italian's strike was heading towards goal if not for the block of Bellusci.

Mowatt is currently down receiving some treatment after being caught by Gunnarsson. He looks as though he will be okay to carry on, as he limps towards the touchline. Still goalless in South Wales with a little over 10 minutes to go before the interval.

The Bluebirds are struggling to click high up the pitch, seeing numerous chances going begging when they create decent openings. It's been a rather flat, low-key first half, with the game balanced finely. Will we see a moment of magic before the break?

CHANCE! If Cardiff are going to score this afternoon, it looks likely that it will come through a set-piece. Le Fondre once more met Whittingham's cross into the box, glancing a header narrowly wide.

In fairness to Leeds they are standing firm at the back to head away the bombardment of crosses, although they need to up the ante at the other end of the field if they are to take three points back north to Yorkshire this evening. All very stale at the moment from both sides.

Macheda ghosts into the box to meet a cross into the box, doing well to get in front of Silvestri only for a poor first touch to see the ball go out for a goal kick. Moments later Pilkington swung in another low cross, which Pearce nearly diverted into the back of his own net. A few home supporters thought that was the opening goal, but it hit the side-netting.

A goalless first 45 minutes in South Wales, then, as the referee brings to a close a drab first half. It has been a balanced game so far on the face of it, although Cardiff have created the more dangerous chances, which mainly came through Whittingham's well-delivered set-pieces.

Le Fondre squandered both his headers, however, while at the other end Morison missed Leeds's only half-chance with a headed attempt of his own. Both teams will need to improve in the second half, in what should hopefully be a more entertaining contest.

BENCH WATCH!

CARDIFF CITY SUBSTITUTES: Moore, Gabbidon, Connolly, Ravel, Ralls, Jones, Maynard

LEEDS UNITED SUBSTITUTES: S Taylor, Byram, Cooper, Tonge, Sloth, Dawson, Montenegro

A reminder of the options available to both sides, who may very well turn to further attacking impetus following the restart. Jones may not be 100% fit, be he can still offer something a little different in attack, namely being able to convert headers which Le Fondre was unable to do in the first half. Morison held up the ball well for Leeds, meanwhile, although Redfearn may opt to change things around a little. Twenty-one year old attacker Brian Montenegro, who has featured just once all season, provides an alternative option.

MATCH Action: @A1F1E9 battles for the ball in the first half as #CardiffCity host @LUFC in the @SkyBetChamp pic.twitter.com/jqMoSpYEiR — Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) November 1, 2014

The teams are now back out onto the field, as Welsh hymn Men of Harlech echoes around the Cardiff City Stadium. There's news of one change to bring you as youngster Joe Ralls replaces Pilkington for the hosts.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! Here's to a vastly improved second half, as play resumes in the Welsh capital.

Much of the same in the early exchanges of the second half, although there is certainly more intent to make possession count now. Morison looked to lead a counter-attack for Redfearn's charges, but he didn't have the pace required to get away from Fabio.

YELLOW CARD! Mowatt becomes the third Leeds player to enter the book for a mistimed challenge on Gunnarsson. The resulting free kick was hoofed into the box, and having only been cleared as far as the edge of the 18-yard box, Whittingham fired a dipping shot narrowly over the bar.

YELLOW CARD! Half-time substitute Ralls also picks up a yellow card for bringing down Doukara.

Gunnarsson goes on a powerful charge forward, but he didn't seem to want to shoot, instead playing a weak pass out wide which was latched onto by the Leeds backline. The crowd liked that run, though, and the atmosphere has now gone up a notch.

Macheda is dropping deep to pick up the ball, but it just isn't happening for Cardiff this afternoon. Slade may need to change things up a little. Leeds will be happy with how things are panning out on the other hand, and they may even be able to nick a goal here.

Ralls has done well since coming on, and he managed to slide Le Fondre in around the back of the Leeds backline, although the former Reading man's cross towards Macheda was headed away. The Bluebirds turning the screw, but it's still not quite enough to break down the Yorkshire outfit.

A reminder that Cardiff hold a 30-year hoodoo over Leeds, with today's visitors having failed to win in the last 15 fixtures. Le Fondre almost extended that spell further, but his glancing header from Noone's cross just didn't have enough on it.

Cardiff at last make the breakthrough with summer signing Bruno Ecuele Manga the man to find the net. Leeds failed to clear their lines, and Morrison leaped highest to knock the ball back across goal where the Gabon international was on hand to power home a header of his own.

That goal should now change the complex of the game. There was certainly an increase in quality from the home side following the restart, while Leeds have remained flat. They now need to attack more, however, which should see an end-to-end contest.

As is so often the case when a team previously in control takes the lead, Cardiff have now sat back which has allowed Leeds to stage a couple of attacks. The latter saw a decent ball come into the box, which Morison headed goalwards, but it did not trouble Marshall.

Macheda keeps up his record of scoring in every home game under Slade to double the Bluebirds' advantage. His strike from around 25 yards out took a big deflection which was enough to leave Silvestri stranded, although I'm sure the former Manchester United striker will be claiming his third goal in four outings.

LEEDS UNITED SUB: Morison may have levelled up just seconds before Macheda put Cardiff well and truly in control, and it has proved to be his last piece of action with Chris Dawson coming on in his place.

SHOT! Antenucci tried his luck with an angled-shot, although Marshall was alert to make a comfortable save. Slade within 20 minutes of his third victory at the helm.

Leeds play some nice football around the Cardiff area, although much like the previous 72 minutes prior, they are unable to create any opening from it. We saw something awfully similar at Carrow Road last night with Norwich City in control before Bolton Wanderers pulled back a late goal - can the Whites do the same?

DOUBLE SUB! Casper Sloth replaces Bianchi for the visiting side, while Jones makes his return to action in place of goalscorer Macheda.

Well I called it a few minutes ago; 2-0 is a dangerous scoreline in football, as Leeds have just highlighted. It was a great finish from Mowatt past Marshall, with the teenager converting following Doukara's run down the left. Could the momentum now swing in the visiting side's favour?

CARDIFF SUB! Slade has turned to Ravel Morrison to add some more attacking threat, with the West Ham United loanee replacing Le Fondre.

Well I was just about to say that Cardiff were in for a long final 10 minutes or so following some real pressure from the visitors, but an absolute howler at the back as surely seen the Bluebirds wrap up the three points. A long, hopeful punt upfield was not dealt with, as Bellusci and Silvestri just ran into each other, allowing Jones to tap into an empty net.

LEEDS UNITED SUB! Sam Byram enters the fray in place of Berardi as Redfearn uses his final change.

Well talk about being the victims of your own downfall. Leeds were troubling Cardiff in the minutes leading up to City's goal, before that howler at the back which has seen this game all but end as a contest. Will the Welsh outfit learn from their lessons and remain tight?

Today's Official Attendance at Cardiff City Stadium is 24,220 including 2,153 away fans. Thank you all for your continued support! — Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) November 1, 2014

CHANCE! That really should have been the icing on the cake for the Bluebirds as we enter the second of four minutes' added on time. A fantastic cross from the left was headed back across goal by Jones, with the ball just a few inches wide of the target. He should have done better in truth, but it won't matter now.

"OLE" is the chant going around the Cardiff City Stadium at the moment, and that is not in honour of the club's former manager. The Bluebirds are knocking it around with ease, with that third goal just killing off any hope Leeds had of salvaging a point. Their 30-year hoodoo will tick into 31 years.

Match Action: Bruno Manga congratulated after getting #CardiffCity on the score sheet vs @LUFC pic.twitter.com/LF11AW7gYe — Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) November 1, 2014

Well there we have it, as the referee blows for full time. That's three wins from three for Russell Slade at the Cardiff City Stadium, and nine points from a possible 12 overall. They had a nervy six-minute spell when Mowatt pulled a goal back, but Jones's simple finish ended the game as a contest seven minutes from time.

The Bluebirds are now within three points of a play off place, while Neil Redfearn's charges drop to within four points of the drop zone. That's all from me this evening, but stick around on Sports Mole as we bring you a full match report and reaction from both camps at the Cardiff City Stadium.