Predicted Cardiff City starting XI vs Leeds United as one change likely

Cardiff City face Leeds United on Saturday, hoping to continue their strong record against their old rivals. The Bluebirds won their last league game, against QPR, to move within three points of the top six, but Leeds are a team with Automatic promotion hopes, currently seven points adrift.

City have a few injuries heading into this one, with Karlan Grant working his way back from a hamstring injury, although it is not as bad as first feared. Aaron Ramsey is 10 days away from returning from his long-term layoff, while Callum O’Dowda has suffered a setback and will remain out for a further six weeks. Cardiff are also without Ebou Adams, who has left for the African Cup of Nations with Gambia.

Fortunately, Leeds also have some injury issues between Joe Gelhardt, Stuart Dallas and Junior Firpo, while Sam Byram is also a doubt after a recent muscular strain.

As far as Cardiff are concerned, Jak Alnwick is likely to start in goal, with reliable centre-back pairing Mark McGuinness and Dimitrios Goutas set to start, with Perry NG and Jamilu Collins likely to be the full-backs.

Joe Ralls, Emmanouil Siopis and Ryan Wintle have been the midfield trio over recent weeks, and it seems unlikely that will change given the injury situation. The change may well come in the front three, with Kion Etete and Rubin Colwill likely to start, but Ollie Tanner could well start ahead of Yakou Meite. Callum Robinson is also an option should Bulut go more attacking.