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Attendance: 34,552
Leeds logo
Championship | Gameweek 22
Dec 14, 2019 at 3pm UK
 
Cardiff City logo

3-3

Costa (6'), Bamford (8', 52' pen.)
FT(HT: 2-0)
Tomlin (60'), Morrison (82'), Glatzel (88')

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

Sports Mole previews the Championship clash between Leeds United and Cardiff City, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Championship leaders Leeds United host Cardiff City at Elland Road on Saturday as they bid to remain on top of the pile ahead of West Bromwich Albion.

Cardiff will be hoping to spoil those plans, but come into the contest off the back of a 2-1 defeat to Brentford that ended a three-game winning streak and face a difficult test against the league leaders.


Match preview

Leeds United's Ezgjan Alioski celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on December 7, 2019© Reuters

Leeds' 2-0 win over free-scoring Hull City took them to the top of the Championship standings on goal difference ahead of West Brom, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Wigan Athletic away from home.

It is a seventh consecutive victory for Marcelo Bielsa's men, who also take their unbeaten run to 10 games as they open up an 11-point gap between themselves and the playoff places.

The Whites have done so with a superb defensive record, conceding just 10 goals in 21 games so far and keeping four clean sheets in succession.

At the other end, they have been far from blunt, netting 32 times in the Championship this campaign - a tally that is behind only West Brom, Bristol City, Fulham and Preston North End.

Cardiff had been expected to be battling it out for an automatic promotion spot with Saturday's opponents, but have stuttered since dropping back into the second tier.

The Bluebirds sit ninth, three points off the playoff places, and saw their four-game unbeaten run - including three consecutive wins - ended in their last outing at Brentford.

Neil Harris's side have recorded seven draws this season - the majority of which came under predecessor Neil Warnock - which is fewer than just four other teams.

However, Cardiff would not be opposed to adding to that tally when they visit Elland Road, given Leeds' stunning recent form that has swept aside all before them.

Leeds United Championship form: WWWWWW

Cardiff City Championship form: LDWWWL


Team News

Liam Cooper in action for Leeds United on August 10, 2019© Reuters

Leeds boss Bielsa is without a handful of players but could be boosted by the return of a key man to the frame.

Jamie Shackleton, Adam Forshaw and Tyler Roberts are all out, leaving Leeds a little short in the centre of the park.

However, Kalvin Phillips completed his suspension and was able to play against Hull, allowing Ben White to return to central defence.

The impressive young defender, on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion, could be joined by club captain Liam Cooper, who is close to making a return from injury.

Cardiff head coach Harris has a number of doubts in the form of Leandro Bacuna, Robert Glatzel, Sol Bamba, Omar Bogle and Joe Ralls, most of whom have been in training and will be assessed ahead of the game.

Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Casilla; Ayling, White, Berardi, Dallas; Phillips; Costa, Hernandez, Klich, Harrison; Bamford

Cardiff City possible starting lineup:
Etheridge; Peltier, Flint, Nelson, Bennett; Paterson, Pack; Mendez-Laing, Tomlin, Hoilett; Ward


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Leeds United 1-0 Cardiff City

Leeds' defensive record this season has been outstanding and they have been in irresistible form. Bielsa's side could record yet another clean sheet in yet another victory as they march towards automatic promotion.



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Kalvin Phillips in action for Leeds United on October 23, 2019
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2Leicester CityLeicester422841079384188
3Leeds UnitedLeeds43269876344287
4Southampton42259884543084
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom4320121166422472
6Norwich CityNorwich432181476601671
7Hull City421811136254865
8Coventry CityCoventry4217121366521463
9Middlesbrough43189166156563
10Preston North EndPreston43189165660-463
11Cardiff CityCardiff43185204860-1259
12Bristol City431610175046458
13Sunderland43168195250256
14Swansea CitySwansea431411185362-953
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16Millwall431311194255-1350
17Blackburn RoversBlackburn431310205771-1449
18Plymouth ArgylePlymouth431212195866-848
19Queens Park RangersQPR431211204057-1747
20Stoke CityStoke431211204160-1947
21Birmingham CityBirmingham43129224864-1645
22Huddersfield TownHuddersfield43917174770-2344
23Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds43128233667-3144
RRotherham UnitedRotherham43411283285-5323


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