Leeds United vs Cardiff City – Betting Preview
Leeds went into halftime with a 2-0 deficit to make up after Jaden Philogene and Sheyi Ojo gave the Bluebirds the upper hand in their FA Cup debut. Leeds was staring down defeat at the Cardiff City Stadium until the third minute of second-half injury time!
After Rodrigo pulled a goal back in the 65th minute, Jesse Marsch made two brilliant substitutions that saved Leeds from being eliminated right away. Sonny Perkins then levelled the score right before time expired to add another game to the busy winter schedule.
Leeds United Preview
The Leeds supporters would warmly welcome a cup run, but Marsch is focused on the Premier League, where the Whites are currently 14th in the standings and just two points above the relegation zone following their 2-1 loss to Aston Villa on Friday.
Leeds’ winless streak in all competitions now stands at an appalling seven games since their dramatic 4-3 victory over Bournemouth on November 5, and goal-filled matches have been the norm at Elland Road recently.
Leeds has conceded nine goals while scoring 11 in their last four competitive home games, but they are now in danger of losing in the third round of the FA Cup for the sixth consecutive year after losing to Sutton United in the fourth-round in 2016–17.
Cardiff Preview
Before being fired, former Cardiff manager Mark Hudson would have been lamenting the red card Joel Bagan received in the 80th minute of their four-goal draw with Leeds. Bagan was sent off with 10 minutes remaining as the Bluebirds failed to hold on.
That was the most recent in a string of draws for Cardiff, who also earned a point from their weekend Championship match against Wigan Athletic. In that game, they were once again dealt a sucker punch in stoppage time when Will Keane’s goal was cancelled out Callum O’Dowda’s effort six minutes into extra time.
After overseeing a nine-game losing streak, Saturday’s draw with the Latics served as Hudson’s breaking point. Hudson has since been fired.
The Bluebirds, who currently hold the 21st spot in the Championship table and have six draws in their last seven games across all competitions under the temporary leadership of Dean Whitehead, have a history of losing in the third and then fourth rounds of the FA Cup since 2016!
1×2 Betting Odds
Leeds and Cardiff don’t currently have what it takes to be successful, but if Whitehead can bring the new manager’s energy to Elland Road, a porous Whites team could be in for a difficult evening.
However, Marsch’s team often hits their stride in front of their own fans, and with some excellent attacking players ready to contribute off the bench, Leeds should guarantee their place in round four!
The betting market too believes that Leeds are the favourite to advance with odds @ 1.36.
Cardiff City, who are struggling in the Championship are not the favourites to win here with odds @ 10.00.
The possibility of a stalemate after the 90 mins are played, stands @ 5.80.
Total goals over/under
The odds that the total number of goals scored will be over 2.5, stands @ 1.65.
While the odds that the total number of goals will be under 2.5, stands @ 2.43.
It has become a pattern that home games at Leeds have plenty goals in them, mainly due to how Leeds attack and fail to defend!
As the over/under odds paint a picture, do expect a few goals in this one, with the home side coming out on top!
