Cardiff vs Leeds Prediction & Betting Tips - FA Cup

Prediction published on 06/01/2023, 09:15  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 06/01/2023 at 10:39 in FA Cup Prediction

Cardiff City will welcome Premier League side Leeds United to the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday for a third-round tie in the FA Cup. Both sides sit perilously close to their respective league's drop zones and could have done without a cup fixture to add to the already jam-packed mid-season schedule. Nevertheless, the visitors will come to Wales with what's expected to be a significantly changed lineup, perhaps understandably when considering their current injury situation. Leeds is in 14th place in the Premier League, with 17 points in their 14 matches, just two points above the relegation zone. Their results haven't really told the full story of their performances of late. Leeds drew 2-2 in their last match against West Ham and were by far the more attacking side, especially in the closing stages, where West Ham was noticeably clinging on for the point. Before that, Leeds put on an excellent display to hold Newcastle to a draw and lost to Spurs and Manchester City in games that they more than held their own. The visitors have won four, drawn five, and lost eight matches this season and are unbeaten in their last two matches. They will fancy their chances against a team struggling for goals in the Championship.

Mark Hudson is under serious pressure at Cardiff City, who are currently in 20th place in the Championship, and like their opponents, just two points above the drop. Cardiff has been on a poor run of form on either side of the World Cup break, with just one win in their last nine games, along with four draws and four losses. The home side has one of the worst goals-per-game averages across all the leagues in England, scoring just 20 times in 26 matches and none in their last three matches. Their defensive record is much better, but they will find it difficult against a free-flowing side like Leeds, who likes playing on the front foot. However, Cardiff cannot be counted out entirely when we look at the historical outcomes of this fixture. In the last five meetings with Leeds, Cardiff is undefeated, with four wins and a draw. Leeds' last victory over Cardiff was over six years ago, in 2016.