Leeds United travel to Wales this weekend for their English Championship league fixture against Cardiff City. On the back of a 2-1 victory against Crystal Palace, the boys will be hoping to continue the good run and kick/scream/fight our way out of the relegation zone. The biggest news for this fixture is that Ken Bates is very welcome in Cardiff, I bet your glad, aren’t you!? No? Oh ok then. On with the match preview!
Vital Quotes:
Dennis Wise has made lots of comments this week, some of them were about the mole! Here at Vital Leeds we think we found the culprit but never mind!We found the MOLE!?
Anyway, Wisey said about the game against the Bluebirds: ‘Cardiff are a very good side and very strong at home but we ain’t going to be afraid of them…
..It’s going to be lively and difficult but if I was still playing I would be really looking forward to playing in this game and I am sure my lot are. We are in good form and ready for the challenge.’
Cardiff striker ‘Stevie’ Thompson looks forward to the clash however is fully aware that with Leeds struggling at the foot of the table, 3 points are by no means a certainty: ‘It’s very important for both clubs as we are fighting to secure a play-off position and Leeds are fighting against relegation. I think everyone is surprised to see Leeds down at the bottom of the table. They’re a big club and, of course, got to the Play-off final last year.’
Cardiff City Team News:
Ex-Birmingham defender Darren Purse is out of this fixture and Glenn Hovens starts his 2-game suspension. Riccardo Scimeca, everyone`s favourite Italian (born in Leamington Spa) is doubtful. Jeff Whitely is unavailable, having moved to that other English club…Wrexham!
Player to watch: Peter Whittingham
Ex-Premiership player Peter Whittingham joined the Bluebirds in the January transfer window for goodness knows how much money (apparently not alot). According to the Vital Cardiff website, he scored a stunner as well!
Dangerous left sided player with a wicked cross and the occasional feeling to shoot! Definitely the one to watch.
Mighty Leeds! Team News:
Alan Thompson and Eddie Lewis are hoping to be fit for the game. Graham Stack is now fully fit, however with new import Casper Ankergren starting in the 2-1 win at Palace, he will be the most likely to start against Cardiff.
Player to watch: Richard Cresswell
As reported all over the place, Cressy made a difference for us, lets hope he really can do the business again.
Match Facts & Stats
Did you know that Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium has been hosting English football finals since 2001. The original deal was that the new Wembley was to be completed in 2006, and is still looking 50/50 for this years FA Cup Final.
Cardiff City’s original kit used to be brown and a kind of yellowy brown colour. Nice!
According to Wikipedia…Cardiff are the employers of one Kevin Campbell, who is an investor in his own record label 2Wikid, groovy baby!
Ref Watch:
The referee for the game is Premiership referee Mark Clattenburg who comes from Codurham (sounds like a diaorehha cure to me)*
(*Have been informed it’s County Durham.)
TADAAAAAA!
Premiership Referee Clattenburg. Should be good then, right?
Match Prediction:
1-0 gritty Leeds win. I’m never predicting a Leeds loss, we’re going unbeaten all the way, honest!
Next Fixtures:
Next up we have the game against QPR on the 20th February. Ken Bates has reduced the price for this game after criticism at ticket prices. I know it`s a Tuesday game, I know it’s a school-night…but show Ken we mean business!