Leeds Utd v Cardiff City Match Thread

30 Jan 2025 06:18 pm, by Ellandback1


Leeds Utd v Cardiff City
Saturday 30th January 3:00pm | Elland Road


Leeds United return to action at Elland Road on Saturday, looking to bounce back from a frustrating 0-0 draw at Burnley. Despite the stalemate, Daniel Farke’s side remain top of the Championship, two points clear of second-placed Sheffield United, who suffered a heavy defeat last weekend. This weekend’s clash sees Cardiff City visit West Yorkshire, a side that has historically troubled Leeds but has struggled with consistency this season.

The reverse fixture back in September saw Leeds claim a 2-0 victory in Cardiff, with Largie Ramazani and Joel Piroe on the scoresheet after the Bluebirds were reduced to ten men early on. A repeat of that performance would see Leeds complete a league double over Cardiff for the first time since the 2015-16 campaign. However, Omar Riza’s side are unbeaten in their last eight matches in all competitions and have taken some impressive results, including a 3-0 derby win over Swansea and a rare away victory at Watford.

Cardiff are a physically imposing side, ranking second in the league for tackles, and typically operate in a 4-2-3-1 formation. They rely on counter-attacks rather than possession-based football, with Callum Robinson leading the line. The experienced forward has been in fine form this season, scoring 11 goals in just 1,400 minutes. Rubin Colwill adds creativity in midfield, contributing four assists so far. Despite their recent improvement under Riza, Cardiff’s inconsistencies remain—having gone nine games without a win earlier this season while conceding an average of two goals per game in that run.





For Leeds, Pascal Struijk has returned to full training and could make the squad, though he is expected to start on the bench following his recent hamstring injury. Patrick Bamford (hamstring) and Max Wober (knee) remain unavailable. Farke may consider changes after a lacklustre attacking display at Burnley, with Mateo Joseph potentially earning a chance to start over Joel Piroe, while Largie Ramazani could be preferred to Brenden Aaronson in the number 10 role if fit.

Farke spoke highly of Cardiff’s recent performances in his pre-match press conference, emphasising their confidence and physicality. He stressed the importance of Leeds being at their best and moving the ball quickly to counteract Cardiff’s high-energy style. The German also addressed the transfer window, indicating that while Leeds remain open to late signings, any new addition must fit the squad’s quality and character requirements. The club continues to monitor attacking and defensive reinforcements but will only act if the right opportunity arises.

With Leeds looking to maintain their lead at the top and Cardiff aiming to extend their unbeaten streak, this fixture promises to be a hard-fought encounter. The Whites will need to be sharp in possession and clinical in front of goal to overcome a resilient Cardiff side. A victory would further cement Leeds’ promotion credentials and provide a timely boost as they enter the final stretch of the season.



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View all Showing latest 5 comments of 416...

1964white wrote on 04 Feb 2025 06:11 pm

Uncut exclusive footage.


The Subhuman wrote on 04 Feb 2025 05:06 pm

We could for the right player...

1964white wrote on 04 Feb 2025 03:33 pm

weasel wrote: Tue Feb 04, 2025 12:49 pm I think it was easier for Burnley, Sheff U and Sunderland to sign players as they can offer them starts. I don't think we could.
No we couldn't.

Sunderland have made two quality signings

I'm unsure about Burnley's lot.

The Blunts have signed quite few signings to replace players they've lost to injuries.

Brereton Diaz isn't better than our four wingers. Is Cannon as good as Piroe? I don't think so!

weasel wrote on 04 Feb 2025 12:49 pm

ElKapitan wrote: Tue Feb 04, 2025 11:25 am Definitely a greater depth in "some" positions but Guilivogui when playing as Rodons replacement really has struggled against poor opposition (cup game). We are stacked at left cb.

Aarronsson is great, really like him but against teams who sit back and defend in numbers he struggles as that Hernandez type unlocking of a defence isn't in his locker. Gnonto the same and Piroe had a go there early season which didn't work. Ramazani is the only one who I think has that awareness and ability to create centrally for me and I suppose Gnonto on the left ain't bad.

As for left back..... Farke has trusted Byram a right footed player to fill in for Firpo instead of Schmidt. Byrams done well but we looked a different side on the left with that natural passing/crossing angle of Firpo. He got 2 assists vs Cardiff? Byram can't really cross with his left.

Would we still be competitive? Sure, but its such a tight race/run in that it just surprises me that Burnley, Sunderland and Sheff Utd can make some high quality signings but we can't. We'll see but Marcus Edwards at Burnley..... He will get them points.
I share your concerns about Guilivogi but it was his first start for a long time - he'd probably do better if needed and playing regularly. At present he is more useful just to give a midfielder a breather by coming on for the last few minutes and that in itself can be helpful as a lot of muscle injuries either happen early, due to not warming up properly, or late on in games through tiredness.

I think we need to forget about comparing Aaronsen to a Pablo type. Whilst someone could have come in on loan and been more creative it might mean we lose having the intense, non-stop, pressing that Aaronsen does. That could have really had a significant knock on effect elsewhere as space and time would open up for the opposition. An example would be that Arnold Trent fella that plays for Liverpool. Give him time and space and he can knock crossfield balls and pick out players but someone like Aaronsen chasing him down relentlessly would really disrupt him. If we do lose Aaronsen though I would be excited to see what Solomon, Gnonto, Ramizanni or Romford could bring to the table - or even Piroe so that we had Piroe and Joseph both starting. For me I'd rather go with any of those options than bring someone else in unless it had been someone like Buendia that Farke knew would fit in.

I think it was interesting that we saw less of Bogle attacking last week. I do think that Byram at left back gives license for Bogle to be the main attacking full back. So it balances out a bit but yes definitely better having Firpo bak in for the left foot. A hard sell though for any loan signing as they'd be coming in to probably just be back up.

I think it was easier for Burnley, Sheff U and Sunderland to sign players as they can offer them starts. I don't think we could.

ElKapitan wrote on 04 Feb 2025 11:25 am

weasel wrote: Tue Feb 04, 2025 9:45 am The squad depth is far better and the variety. Last year we had the 3 midfielders (4 if Gray is included), Ampadu, Gruev and Kamara who were all far more defensive than attacking, at leats in terms of a goal/assist threat. This year we have 5 and as shown with the signing of Guilivogi we were able to find someone when we needed insurance. Last year we had just Rodon, Sturyjk and Cooper as our centrebacks (given that Farke didn't seem to rate Cresswell) this season it is Rodon, Struyjk and Wober and if Ampadu has to play there in some ways it makes us more of an attacking side given the choice of midfielders. We have depth at full back with Bogle, Byram, Firpo, Schmidt, Wober. Out wide we have 4 wingers. Up front we have Piroe and Joseph and whilst yes Joseph's goal came against a demoralised Cardiff at least it takes the pressure off him and confidence can do wonders for a player. i don't worry about depth there as I see Ramizanni and Gnonto as good options there too. No.10 and we have Aaronsen, yep not as pleasing on the eye as Rutter but his numbers stack up better than Rutter and he does so much off the ball as well. If he gets injured then again we have options that might make us even more threatening, Piroe into their so we have Piroe and Joseph, Gnoto, Ramazani or Solomon, Rothwell etc.
Definitely a greater depth in "some" positions but Guilivogui when playing as Rodons replacement really has struggled against poor opposition (cup game). We are stacked at left cb.

Aarronsson is great, really like him but against teams who sit back and defend in numbers he struggles as that Hernandez type unlocking of a defence isn't in his locker. Gnonto the same and Piroe had a go there early season which didn't work. Ramazani is the only one who I think has that awareness and ability to create centrally for me and I suppose Gnonto on the left ain't bad.

As for left back..... Farke has trusted Byram a right footed player to fill in for Firpo instead of Schmidt. Byrams done well but we looked a different side on the left with that natural passing/crossing angle of Firpo. He got 2 assists vs Cardiff? Byram can't really cross with his left.

Would we still be competitive? Sure, but its such a tight race/run in that it just surprises me that Burnley, Sunderland and Sheff Utd can make some high quality signings but we can't. We'll see but Marcus Edwards at Burnley..... He will get them points.