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

Cardiff City play host to Leeds United in the Championship on Saturday afternoon with the opportunity to move to the brink of the Championship playoff spots.

At a time when the Bluebirds sit in ninth position in the standings, Leeds are fourth but now seven points adrift of the automatic promotion places.

Match preview

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Having endured their worst run of results this season, collecting seven points from six games, Leeds could have no complaints if they had dropped completely out of the automatic promotion race.

However, at a time when Ipswich Town have posted the same points haul, Leeds remain in the hunt for the top two, leaving Daniel Farke feeling optimistic for the second half of the campaign.

The FA Cup third round tie at Peterborough United on Sunday came at the right time, with Leeds cruising to a 3-0 victory helped by Patrick Bamford's wonder-goal.

Leeds' objective will initially be to close the gap to third-placed Southampton, which stands at four points, but they are in a position where they can continue to aim higher.

Their away form in the Championship remains a concern, though, with the Yorkshire giants posting three successive league defeats on their travels, making it six losses in 13 such games.

From Cardiff's perspective, Erol Bulut must find a way to rouse his side after their calamitous 4-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup.

If Cardiff had scored at least one of the two penalties that they were awarded, it may have acted as a game-changer, but Bulut must instead focus on hitting back from a sixth defeat from 10 games in all competitions.

On a positive note, Cardiff were able to prevail in their last Championship fixture, winning 2-1 away at Queens Park Rangers to move into the top 10.

Just five points separate the Welsh outfit to fifth-placed West Bromwich Albion, highlighting that they have an opportunity to make further rapid progress up the table.

Team News

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Having tinkered with his team for the Sheffield Wednesday defeat, it is plausible that Bulut could revert back to the team that defeated QPR.

That would see the likes of Joe Ralls and Yakou Meite restored to the team after they remained as unused substitutes at Hillsborough.

Aaron Ramsey, Callum O'Dowda and Karlan Grant all remain absent through injury.

With Bamford having continued his return to form last weekend, he could keep Joel Piroe out of the Leeds side for another game.

Farke has a decision to make regarding his goalkeeper with Illan Meslier back after a three-game ban, but Kristoffer Klaesson is yet to concede a goal in two starts.

Cardiff City possible starting lineup:

Alnwick; Ng, Goutas, McGuinness, Collins; Wintle, Siopis, Ralls; Meite, Etete, Colwill

Leeds United possible starting lineup:

Meslier; Gray, Rodon, Cooper, Firpo; Ampadu, Kamara; James, Rutter, Summerville; Bamford

We say: Cardiff City 1-2 Leeds United

On the back of last week's debacle at Hillsborough, Cardiff may benefit from playing in such a high-profile fixture. Nevertheless, the superior quality comes from Leeds' ranks, and we feel that the visitors will edge this contest courtesy of a fast start to proceedings.

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