Preview: Leeds United vs. Cardiff City - prediction, team news, lineups

Leeds United commence their bid to earn an immediate return to the Premier League with a home fixture against Cardiff City on Sunday.

While the home side are one of the favourites to win the Championship title, the Bluebirds are looking to build on narrowly avoiding relegation during 2022-23.

Match preview

© Reuters

Throughout this summer, Leeds supporters have had to remain patient, both in terms of the club's takeover and acquiring a new head coach that could lead them to promotion.

Both are now in place with Daniel Farke - a two-time Championship title winner with Norwich City - the man at the helm and tasked with leading the charge for the second-tier crown.

As it stands, the focus has been on outgoings, Leeds parting with as many as nine players who featured in the first team last season, and just goalkeeper Karl Darlow and defender Ethan Ampadu have arrived thus far.

Nevertheless, there is an understanding that more players will soon follow to link up with what remains an exciting squad, with Leeds having a strong recent history of purchasing younger talent.

Although they have defeats to Manchester United and Monaco on their pre-season record, Leeds hit back with victories over Nottingham Forest and Hearts respectively.

© Reuters

At a time when they have been restricted to loans and free agents in the transfer market, Cardiff fans will be quietly optimistic about the upcoming campaign.

The near-miss with relegation has been followed by the appointment of former Fenerbahce boss Erol Bulut, the anticipated return of Aaron Ramsey and an array of shrewd business in attack.

Cardiff signing the likes of Josh Bowler, Yakou Meite, Karlan Grant and Ike Ugbo to strengthen in the final third has not received the attention that it merits, and the Bluebirds could surprise a few this campaign.

That said, they ended pre-season with defeats to Braga and Porto without scoring and playing out a goalless draw at Wycombe Wanderers, hardly the confidence booster that they required ahead of the challenge that awaits them at Elland Road.