Cardiff vs Leeds prediction: ENGLAND: FA Cup betting tips on match 2023-01-07 14:00.
However improbable, Cardiff City still harbour dreams of the FA Cup returning to Welsh soil after 96 years of hurt. They came close to glory back in 2008, but emulating that famous run to the final is a huge ask for the out-of-form Championship outfit, as they face Premier League (PL) opposition immediately this time around. Yet, that was also the case in 2002, when Cardiff won the most recent FA Cup H2H with opponents Leeds United, giving the current generation some inspiration.
Back then the duo were separated by two divisions, but more recently, the fates have been less kind to Cardiff in this age-old competition. Their last FA Cup victory over a PL side dates back to the FA Cup third round (FAC3) of 2014, while theyâve also suffered four eliminations at the first hurdle across the previous seven seasons.
Considered a fierce âterrace rivalâ of Cardiff in English football lore, a similarly out of sorts Leeds will also have much in the way of incentive, with the Whites now waiting 51 years and counting to lift this trophy. They also have a worse FAC3 record than even Cardiffâs recently, bowing out at this stage in each of the previous five years, though that is somewhat mitigated by the fact that this will be Leedsâ tenth straight FA Cup tie played away!
Amongst them is a 3-0 humiliation at Crawley two years ago, when Leeds allowed their hosts to settle into the game. As such, an early goal in their favour could be very important in turning a hostile atmosphere against Cardiff, and having scored inside the first ten minutes in three of their last five PL road trips, the Whites clearly have the appetite to get one and avoid another shock.
Key battle: In a clash of influential wingers who spent youth time at current FA Cup holders Liverpool, Sheyi Ojo (Cardiff) will vie with Jack Harrison (Leeds) for dominion in the wide areas. Ojo was the matchwinner with his only prior strike of 2022/23, while Harrison has closed the dayâs scoring with his last three goals.
Hot streak: The last five H2Hs at Cardiff have all separated the teams by a two-goal margin.