Bluebirds must press their claims in search for victory over Leeds

CARDIFF City will go toe-to-toe against Leeds United in a crucial clash in the spectrum of their bid for promotion on Sunday.

They sit just two points outside of the play-off spots, but Leeds, following a mid-season blip, are in scintillating form.

The Bluebirds have shown glimpses, but not enough consistency, to really force themselves into the play-off places so far this term.

A result against Marcelo Bielsa’s table-topping Leeds United, however, could really prove to be the spark which ignites a play-off run.

So, what can we expect ahead of the weekend? Cardiff’s incredible comeback from three goals down up at Elland Road set Leeds off on a dreadful run – and the Yorkshire club have a woeful record against the Bluebirds.

Here, we ask Joe Mewis, the Leeds United editor at LeedsLive about their dip, their recovery and the weaknesses the Bluebirds might be able to exploit.

Q. You seem to have recovered from that mid-season wobble after the Cardiff game, were they worrying times at all? JM:

They were indeed, certainly among a fanbase that is still scarred from last year’s end-ofseason collapse.

For almost two months, Leeds were struggling to score and failing to keep clean sheets as their 11-point buffer over third place ebbed away.

Results were more akin to a side in a relegation battle and the complexion of the season was changing. But if you looked past the poor results, performances were still good – Leeds continued to press, dominate possession and create chances.

Q. That was all sparked by the Cardiff City result before Christmas, Marcelo Bielsa said it was still playing on his mind last month, how much of a bearing did that have, psychologically, on the players? JM:

It will certainly have been there, burrowing away in the back of their collective consciousness, but now that the dust has settled on that result and Leeds are back at the top of the table, it may have the effect of emboldening them.

Complacency is a real threat in this league where any side can get a result on any day and now that Leeds have come out of the other side of their blip, they looked completely focused.

Q. Leeds have won only three of the last 24 meetings with Cardiff, are they a bogey team? If so, why? JM:

The concept of the bogey team is a strange one, isn’t it?

Bielsa himself does not entertain the notion of such matters, but it’s hard to argue with Leeds’ record against the Bluebirds in recent years.

And there are certainly enough red flags here this weekend – December’s collapse, the long journey for an early Sunday match and the history Neil Harris has with Leeds United will all get supporters worried.

But Bielsa has seen off a fair few bogey teams over the past couple of years and fans will hope that Leeds’ current momentum will continue.

Q. How can Cardiff City get at Leeds, what are their weaknesses? JM:

The two main weaknesses this season have centred around defensive set-pieces and an ability to put their chances away.

If there was a blueprint for beating Leeds it would be to try and beat them at their own pressing game (which is much easier said than done), hope they miss their chances and look to punish them with a set-piece goal.

5. A score prediction? JM:

This looks like one of the tougher games left on Leeds’ schedule, but the club are flying at the moment. The swagger has really returned in the last two wins, so I’ll put my optimistic hat on and say a hard-fought 2-1 win for Leeds.