Match Preview | Cardiff City vs. Leicester City
Cardiff City welcome Leicester City to Cardiff City Stadium on Friday, December 29th in our final game of 2023.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | IN THE DUGOUT
Leicester City’s manager is Enzo Maresca, who began in the role in June 2023 after the club’s relegation from the Premier League.
During his playing career, Maresca represented the likes of Juventus, Fiorentina, Sevilla and Olympiacos, whilst also having a spell with West Bromwich Albion.
Initially having assistant roles at Ascoli, Sevilla and West Ham United, Maresca was named manager of Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad in 2020.
Gaining further experience in charge at Italian side Parma, the Foxes boss was most recently Pep Guardiola’s assistant coach at Manchester City.
Last season, Maresca played a part in the club winning the treble, with their campaign ending with Champions League glory.
Since taking over the Foxes, he has won 21 of his 27 matches in charge, with a win percentage of 78%.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | SEASON SO FAR
The Foxes head to the Welsh capital currently sitting at the top of the Sky Bet Championship table.
Maresca’s men are six points clear of Ipswich Town in second, also holding an 11-point gap between themselves and Southampton in third.
Leicester City are the most in-form side in the division, having picked up 16 points in their last six matches.
Last time out, the Foxes faced promotion rivals Ipswich Town at Portman Road and claimed a 1-1 draw.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | KEY PLAYER
One of the Sky Bet Championship players of the season so far has been Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
The Foxes playmaker has recorded seven goals, as well as contributing with nine assists.
The 25-year-old has had another impressive month in December, with two goals and three assists.
With Dewsbury-Hall particularly impressing this season, winger Stephy Mavididi has also shown his quality, netting on eight occasions.
CLUB CONNECTION | PAUL RAMSEY
Beginning his career at Derry City, Northern Irishman Paul Ramsey went on to join Leicester City in 1980.
The midfielder became a popular figure at the club and went on to make a remarkable 322 league appearances during his 11 years with the Foxes.
It was during his time at Filbert Street that he gained international experience, earning 14 caps for Northern Ireland.
In 1991, Ramsey became a Bluebird, where he was appointed captain of a talented squad that included the likes of Jason Perry and Damon Searle.
During his final year at the Club, the Bluebirds achieved promotion to the Second Division by winning the Third Division title.
