MATCH PREVIEW: CARDIFF CITY vs LEEDS UNITED
Match Previews
16th September
The Bluebirds host Leeds United at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday in a Sky Bet Championship clash kicking off at 12:30pm.
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE!
THE OPPOSITION
Leeds United arrive in the Welsh capital buoyed by their victory over Blackburn Rovers in midweek week and currently occupy eighteenth place in the league table.
The Whites had lost their previous two Championship games to Huddersfield Town and Nottingham Forest, but goals from Chris Wood and a late strike from Kyle Bartley earned Garry Monk’s men all three points against Rovers last time out.
Wood’s goal against Blackburn was his fourth in all competitions this season, making the New Zealander top scorer for the club. The Bluebirds may also have to try and get past Swedish defender, Pontus Jansson. The 6ft 5in centre back, signed on loan from Italian side Torino, is an imposing presence at the heart of the United defence.
CLUB CONNECTIONS
Lee Peltier has been a consistent performer for the Bluebirds since signing from Huddersfield in January 2015 and the defender has also represented Leeds. Pelts made 66 appearances for the Elland Road outfit and regularly captained the side.
Other players to have represented both the Bluebirds and Whites in recent years include Ross McCormack, Tom Adeyemi, Robbie Fowler and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
MEMORABLE MEETING
A memorable Championship encounter between the two sides occurred during the Bluebirds’ Championship title winning campaign on 15 September 2012, where City triumphed 2-1 to maintain their strong start to the season.
The game could be described as a slow burner, with chances at a premium before the interval. The best chance of the first half fell to striker Heidar Helguson who headed a trademark Peter Whittingham corner just over the crossbar.
Cardiff returned for the second half with a renewed energy and dynamism. Leeds keeper Paddy Kenny had to be in inspired form to deny efforts from Nicky Maynard and Mark Hudson.
It was substitute, Craig Bellamy who eventually broke the deadlock just after the hour mark, hammering an unstoppable free kick into the back of the net from the left side of the area. That was the first goal of Bellamy’s second spell with the Bluebirds.
Then, Whittingham doubled City’s advantage from the penalty spot after Maynard had been fouled by Tom Lees to send Cardiff on their way to victory. Leeds pulled a goal back through a fine Rodolph Austin free kick, but City saw the game out to record their third straight home win.
LEEDS FACTS
- The Whites were founded in 1919.
- Leeds’ home ground, Elland Road, was originally known as The Old Peacock Ground. This was the reason behind one of Leeds’ early nicknames, 'The Peacocks'.
- The clubs’ record signing is centre back, Rio Ferdinand, who cost United £18 million when he signed from West Ham in 2001. When Ferdinand was eventually sold, he also broke the club’s record for transfer fees received as Manchester United paid around £30 million for his services.
- Last season was Leeds’ sixth consecutive season in the second tier of English football and they had a respectable campaign, finishing in 13th position.
KAV'S BACK!
We are delighted to confirm that legandary former City skipper Graham Kavanagh will be our special guest this Saturday...
Make sure you take to your seats early on Saturday as Kav will address the Bluebirds support before our match against Leeds United.
DON'T MISS A MOMENT!
LISTEN: Supporters can listen in live on Cardiff City Player HD* for all the action from City vs Leeds.
WATCH: Extended highlights of the match will be available to subscribers of Cardiff City Player HD*
SOCIAL: Live updates from CCS will come via our official Twitter account, @CardiffCityFC.
*Search ‘Cardiff City’ on the App Store and Google Play Store to view Cardiff City Player HD on Smart Phones, with content available to subscribers 24/7.
