Leeds United will lock horns with Cardiff City at the Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday hoping to pick up maximum points so that they can consolidate their position at the top of the English Championship table. The Whites will come into this match on the back of five consecutive wins without conceding a goal. Hence, the West Yorkshire giants will be quietly confident about their chances of securing another positive result on the road.
Marcelo Bielsa will opt for a 4-1-4-1 formation and will be inclined to make one change to his side for this showdown versus the Bluebirds.
4-1-4-1 Leeds United Predicted Lineup Vs Cardiff City
Defence
Kiko Casilla will once again miss out on this game this weekend after the FA decided to ban him for eight matches for racially abusing Charlton Athletic’s Jonathan Leko. Therefore, Illan Meslier will be a nailed-on starter in goal for the Whites after he kept back to back clean sheets against Hull City and Huddersfield Town respectively.
Liam Cooper will assume his defensive duties alongside Ben White at the heart of the Leeds backline as they look to keep Callum Patterson quiet on Sunday. Luke Ayling is expected to operate as the right-back while Stuart Dallas focuses on being productive on the other side in the left-back position.
The Yorkshire outfit currently have the best defensive record in the English second division after shipping in 30 goals in 37 league matches so far. Hence, Bielsa will be demand another dominant performance from his defenders this weekend.
Domenico Berardi might have to be content with a place on the bench despite his impressive display versus the Terriers last weekend.
Midfield
Kalvin Phillips might return to Bielsa’s first-team and take up the responsibilities of the deep-lying, defensive midfield role. His main job would be to protect the back four, especially when his teammates are left exposed on the break. Just ahead of the English talent, the talented duo of Mateusz Klich and Pablo Hernandez will play as the box to box midfielders. They will hope to create some decent openings in and around the Cardiff penalty box.
Jack Harrison could be a threat for the Cardiff defenders down the left flank while Helder Costa tries to put his pace to good use on the right. We can expect to see Ezgjan Alioski and Jamie Shackleton make up the numbers on the Leeds bench.
Attack
Patrick Bamford will get another chance to lead the charge for the Whites up top. He managed to get a goal against Huddersfield last Saturday which should do his confidence a world of good.
Tyler Roberts will be available for selection on Bielsa’s bench and might come on to make an impact in this game if required.
