CARDIFF CITY v LEICESTER CITY (Championship)
Sunday 25th September 2011 – Kickoff: 1315 hrs
Perennial play-off bridesmaids Cardiff City entertain Sven’s men at the Cardiff City Stadium in the Sunday afternoon kickoff, with Cardiff looking to extend their unbeaten run to five games.
Manager Malky Mackay will be hoping to take his team one step further this season and gain automatic promotion, something former manager David Jones just couldn’t achieve even with the likes of Bothroyd and Bellamy in the squad.
Bellamy and Bothroyd have since departed but in their place come proven Championship goalscorer Robert Earnshaw (3 goals) and Scottish striker Kenny Miller (1 goal). In midfield they have the creativity of Peter Whittingham (1 goal,2 assists) who I can’t believe hasn’t been signed up by a bigger club particularly following a fantastic season before last where he scored 25 goals and 11 assists.
Also in the middle of the park they have former Watford creator Don Cowie (1 goal,1 assist) who provided 13 assists last season for the Hornets.
Cardiff’s home record stands at 2-0-1 6/4, and have secured wins over Bristol City and Doncaster Rovers so far, but lost to Brighton in between. Cardiff have always seemed to flatter to deceive, much to the frustrations of their vocal support.
Leicester City make the trip to Wales remaining unbeaten on the road to date. The Foxes’ away record stands at 1-2-0 4/3, and currently occupy 10th place.
They too are on an unbeaten run of four matches, but this run has also included impressive home wins over league leaders Southampton and Brighton which will no doubt give them confidence going into this fixture.
Up front they also have dangerous attacking potential in strikers Andy King, and experienced duo David Nugent and Darius Vassell, while in midfield they have creativity from former Man City man Gelson Fernandes and Richie Wellens.
I think Leicester have proven they’re slightly more solid this term, and away from home they’re difficult to break down. I’m tipping a draw but taking Leicester City with the +0.5 handicap in case they nick it.
Pick: Leicester City AH0,+0.5 @ 1.80 bet365
