MATCH THREAD: “ CARDIFF CITY v LEICESTER CITY “ MATCH THREAD

CARDIFF CITY v LEICESTER CITY
Friday 29th December, 7.45pm
Sky Bet Championship
Cardiff City Stadium 



Leicester City have sold over 3,000 tickets for tonight’s game.



Cardiff City XI: Alnwick; Ng, McGuinness, Goutas, Collins; Siopis, Ralls, Wintle; Bowler, Etete, Grant.

Subs: Turner, Romeo, Adams, Meite, Panzo, Colwill, Tanner, Rinomhota, Robinson.


It’s pay on the night / Bluebirds


Erol Bulut:


“Aaron Ramsey hasn’t started training yet so hopefully he trains in January and fit for February , but Callum O’Dowda has started back with us. I hope he’ll be back playing maybe not next week, but the week after he can start to play a bit.”


“ Kion Etete had a hamstring problem from previous games, so I didn’t want to push him back. “




Leicester City are bringing 2,500 Fans for this Friday night’s match


TEAM NEWS:

Cardiff are without Ramsey & O’Dowda.

Ramsey and O’Dowda have played only 6 games this season out of 26 League and Cup games.




The Opposition's Manager

Enzo Maresca took his first management job when taking over at Leicester in the summer.

He has been an overwhelming success, with Leicester well clear at the top of the league.

Opposition Dangerous Players

There are plenty to choose from.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has seven goals and nine assists in the league this season.

Stephy Mavididi has seven goals and four assists.

Head To Head 

We lost 2-1 away at Leicester earlier in the season due to a late winner for them.

That was one of two wins for them in the last five meetings, we have also won two in that time - the last coming in 2018 in the Premier League.

Team News - Predicted Line-Ups

Cardiff City: Alnwick, Ng, McGuinness, Goutas, Collins, Wintle, Ralls, Colwill, Meite, Grant, Etete

Leicester City: Hermansen, Coady, Vestergaard, Faes, Pereira, Ndidi, Winks, Dewsbury-Hall, Fatawu, Mavididi, Daka

Last Game

We drew at home to Plymouth on Boxing Day.

On the same day, Leicester drew away at Ipswich.

Match Odds

Cardiff City - 7/2
Leicester City - 4/6
Draw - 3/1

Predictions

Post your predictions below 

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Sat watching Ipswich Vs Leicester, Mavadidi is clinically lethal, they’ve got pace all over the field. Dewsbury-Hall is a menace. Our lads need to up their game Friday night

Sat watching Ipswich Vs Leicester, Mavadidi is clinically lethal, they’ve got pace all over the field. Dewsbury-Hall is a menace. Our lads need to up their game Friday night

Went to the Leicester away games early in the season, when Ramsey scored that worldie.

We caused them problems that day and could have even won. But even then you could tell they were a side that would be competing for the top six.

They’ve improved a lot since then and are clearly the best team in the league.

Still premier league level players in that squad.

Let’s hope fans don’t expect too much and just get behind the team, especially post-match.

Championship:

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TEAM NEWS:

Cardiff are without Ramsey & O’Dowda,

Ramsey and O’Dowda have played only 6 games this season out of 26 League and Cup games.

Leicester City are bringing 2,500 Fans for this Friday night’s match

Sherry is kicking in 2-1 To The Bloooobirds

I’m expecting a hiding. 3 or 4 nil to Leicester

I’m expecting a hiding. 3 or 4 nil to Leicester

I think most are.

Personally I feel Leicester will get the early goal then close up shop.

Can see no result other than a convincing Leicester victory. About 0-3, possibly worse!
Our defence looked very dodgy against Plymouth when under pressure.
Leicester are top goal scorers with 48 and only conceded 17 to date.

1- 0 City ( dodgy pen decision)

We have always had good games against the Foxes and I feel we can give them a decent game at our place...

I'll be there and I'll try to enjoy it. The reality says the Foxes will win, so Erol Bulut has a 'free go' at showing how he can motivate his team...

Anything other than a heavy defeat would be a 'bonus' result against the most clinical side in the Championship...

Erol Bulut:


“Aaron Ramsey hasn’t started training yet so hopefully he trains in January and fit for February , but Callum O’Dowda has started back with us. I hope he’ll be back playing maybe not next week, but the week after he can start to play a bit.”


“ Kion Etete had a hamstring problem from previous games, so I didn’t want to push him back. “

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Tough one at home, but make it a battle for them to get anything. Bulut needs a better game plan than recently as we seem to be running with the same strategy recently. Hopefully Rubin is ok to start, be nice to see if his trickery can continue.

I'm going slightly optimistic. 1-1.

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 Ipswich Town at Portman Road and claimed a 1-1 draw.

I’m gonna go with a mad 2-1 win and no I haven’t been drinking , colwill n grant to score n Leicester have a red card

Question on everyone’s lips is do we pack the middle, and stop Leicester playing, or do we throw caution to the wind and just surprise and attack them from the first minute?

Pack the middle I reckon, cos we struggle to attack against a average side so would be suicidal to do it against Leicester

Pack the middle I reckon, cos we struggle to attack against a average side so would be suicidal to do it against Leicester

Agree.
But, nothing like springing a surprise and just hammering their goal from the first minute lol

I am not expecting a result here
Absolutely we need to pack the midfield, stop them getting the early goal, then who knows?
Truth be told, its a very big ask, even at home
maybe their goalkeeper gets a red , gives a way a penalty then a defender gets one too for arguing the decision

Pack the middle I reckon, cos we struggle to attack against a average side so would be suicidal to do it against Leicester

Agree.
But, nothing like springing a surprise and just hammering their goal from the first minute lol

In theory yeh , wud be nice wudnt it , not with this side though pmsl

I am not expecting a result here
Absolutely we need to pack the midfield, stop them getting the early goal, then who knows?
Truth be told, its a very big ask, even at home
maybe their goalkeeper gets a red , gives a way a penalty then a defender gets one too for arguing the decision

Sounds like a cracking prediction , better than mine that one

Praet, Vardy, McAteer, Albrighton – Leicester City injury update for Cardiff clash -

Enzo Maresca gives an update on the fitness of his squad ahead of their final match of 2023 in the Welsh capital, with Dennis Praet back in contention after missing Ipswich

Dennis Praet could come back into contention for Leicester City’s trip to Cardiff after another small knock kept him out of the draw with Ipswich.

Praet has missed most of the season with a back injury but has had trouble staying available since returning. He made substitute appearances against Plymouth and Millwall but then was ill for the trip to Birmingham. He came back in against Rotherham and had a hand in the third goal before missing out at Portman Road.

It was only a minor issue that kept him from featuring in the top-of-the-table clash, and Enzo Maresca believes he will be available again on Friday night. This time, City head to the Welsh capital.

No other senior players will be returning for City though. They have had Jamie Vardy (knee), Kasey McAteer (hamstring) and Marc Albrighton missing for a few games and the trio are not going to be fit to take on the Bluebirds. McAteer has been spotted in training ahead of the game, but Maresca said: "They are still out, all of them. They’re going to be out."

Leicester City have sold over 3,000 tickets for tonight’s game.

Leicester receive Praet boost

Dennis Praet could come back into contention for Leicester City’s trip to the Welsh capital.

The Belgian missed the recent clash with Ipswich Town due to a knock, but Foxes boss Enzo Maresca says he will be available on Friday night.

Latest Match Odds

Cardiff City - 7/2
Leicester City - 4/7
Draw - 3/1

Cardiff City XI: Alnwick; Ng, McGuinness, Goutas, Collins; Siopis, Ralls, Wintle; Bowler, Etete, Grant.

Subs: Turner, Romeo, Adams, Meite, Panzo, Colwill, Tanner, Rinomhota, Robinson.

Bluebirds

As expected, all Leicester early doors. Ng does a good job at keeping Mavididi out and Cardiff eventually get the throw-in.