please log in to view this image Cardiff City v Leeds Utd 13th January@15:00hrs | Cardiff City Stadium Leeds make the four hour journey to South East Wales on Saturday afternoon, hoping to keep the (2024) 100% win record intact, against play-off Hopefuls Cardiff City. Leeds don't have the best of records against the Bluebirds, having not beaten them in the league since October 2016, when a Chris Wood spot kick, and some Pablo magic saw Garry Monk's Leeds record a rare victory over what many consider their bogey side. Since 1984, the two teams have met in the league on 25 occasions, with Leeds recording fifteen defeats, seven draws and only three wins. Eleven points and five places currently separate them. please log in to view this image Following their 4-0 hammering at Hillsborough, Erol Bulut will demand a better performance against the Whites. Joe Ralls and Yakou Meite should be restored to the team though Aaron Ramsey, Callum O'Dowda and Karlan Grant all remain absent through injury. Leeds welcome back Illan Meslier back to the starting line-up after his three game ban, and with Darlow injured (thumb), Klaesson will at least make the bench. Bamford's return to form could keep Joel Piroe out the Leeds starting XI, perhaps preferring the veteran to lead the line, and allow Rutter creative licence in a deeper role. Archie Gray returns to right back (as there is nobody else), allowing the more familiar partnership of Ethan Ampadu and Glen Kamara to continue to blossom. Pascal Struijk still has a groin strain; Liam Cooper will partner Joe Rodon at centre-back, with fit again Junior Firpo at left back.
Unfortunately I’m expecting the usual defeat to this lot and the ridicule from sparky that accompanies it.
Perhaps if we sacrificed Sparkey to the Gods, our fortunes would change? please log in to view this image
So we've got no defence line. Thank god we didn't do something stupid like loan out our only RB to Boro.
If Cooper and Struijk are injured then Rodon and fourth choice Cresswell should play. As it is we'll probably drop Ampadu back and play with Gruev and Kamara.
One day we might get to the position whereby one injury won’t mean wholesale changes to the entire team to compensate. It should be a CB gets injured CB replaces him, it’s not bloody rocket science.
It’s ok FARKE says we have everything covered and don’t need anyone. Rightyho then. Cresswell isn’t even in the first team squad according to FARKE in his presser. Firpo, Ampadu, Rodon And Byram at the back with Shacks as cover. Byram never going to manage 90mins. Wonder if Gruev can play full back or CB
