Pre Match Leicester v Cardiff

[Jeff]

Head-to-head

• Leicester, who were victorious in the reverse fixture this season, last won consecutive games against the Bluebirds in September 2010.
• However, the Foxes have won four consecutive top-flight matches against Cardiff by an aggregate score of 11-0.
• The Foxes could equal their longest top-flight winning streak against a single opponent of five against Aston Villa (1958-1961) and West Ham (1965-1966).
• The Bluebirds have only had longer losing runs in the top division versus Birmingham City (six, 1956-1961) and Aston Villa (five, 1928-1953).

Leicester City

• After just one win in eight matches in all competitions, the Foxes have now beaten Chelsea and Man City in back-to-back games.
• Two wins against opposition from the established top six is as many as they had enjoyed in their previous 19 attempts in the Premier league (D2, L15).
• Against City, Leicester scored more than one goal in a game for only the second time in their last 14 matches in all competitions.
• Leicester have won seven and lost just one of their last 10 Premier League games against newly-promoted teams.
• They have won 12 Premier League points from a losing position this campaign, a joint-league high with Arsenal.

Cardiff City

• Cardiff are three points clear of the relegation zone despite having led for just 93 minutes in the Premier League this season, the fewest of any club.
• Neil Warnock's side are the only team not to have led a top-flight fixture at half-time this campaign.
• They have been ahead at half-time in only three of their 56 Premier League matches.
• Their draw at Crystal Palace was only their second away point of the season.
• The Bluebirds have won only two of their 28 Premier League away matches - a 2-1 victory at Fulham in September 2013 and 1-0 win at Southampton in April 2014.

 

[Miles Away]

There’s a lot in those stats that expose the initial concern over Claude.

I really hope we kick on tomorrow.

 

[Skitzo]

Kasper

Ricardo Wes Maguire Chilwell

Iborra Hamza Maddison

Albrighton Vardy Gray
​

give Mendy and Wilf a breather before Everton on New Years day and get an extra creative player in the side against a team where we will need it

 

[City Fan]

Schmeichel

Ricardo
Morgan
Maguire
Chilwell

Mendy
Choudhury

Albrighton
Maddison
Gray

Vardy

 

[Brown Nose]

Will Puel give Matty James a place on the bench in a vain final opportunity of justifying his inclusion in the 25 man squad back in August? I have a sneaking feeling that he might.

We play Everton at lunchtime on Tuesday and our best line up for that game would be unchanged from the two wins as we need to be at our strongest against the most likely competitor for 7th. For Cardiff, if you can't make zero changes, which I agree doesn't make sense, I think we should make eleven:

Ward, Simpson, Soyuncu, Evans, Fuchs, Iborra, Silva, Ghezzal, Okazaki, Gray, Iheanacho,

I'd rather be weaker against a shite side than be knackered against a decent one. Our second team is significantly stronger than Cardiff's first team. Back them to win this game and then go again in the FA Cup next weekend. Win, win, win!

I'd also have sent all 11 starters from Boxing Day home until Monday. R&R boys, we need you at it for Everton.

 

[popillius]

Momentum is everything. I wouldn't be changing too much as there is no need. I'd go for:

Schmeichel
Ricardo
Morgan
Maguire
Chilwell
Albrighton
Choudhury
Mendy
Maddison
Gray
Vardy.

There's absolutely no need for wholesale changes when we are finally beginning to see some understanding between players. That way madness lies.

 

[H T B]

Palace beat Man City, then somehow, drew 0-0 with Cardiff. Despite having 31(!) attempts at goal.
Even though Cardiff, "parked the bus" they can still be got at.
They have a decent keeper, however, an early goal for us may just see them cave in.

Something of an acid test?

 

[homer]

Cardiff aren't terrible. Making too many changes is therefore a rather silly idea

We simply don't need three defensive midfielders, however - so Gray in for one of them and play a regulation 4-4-1-1

 

[City Fan]

I see two wins have made some people delirious at best and damn right arrogant at worst.

11 changes FFS.

 

[Skitzo]

I see two wins have made some people delirious at best and damn right arrogant at worst.

11 changes FFS.

you're taking that post from Brown Nose seriously?

 

[popillius]

you're taking that post from Brown Nose seriously?

Well, that's the way it was meant.

 

[H T B]

I see two wins have made some people delirious at best and damn right arrogant at worst.

11 changes FFS.

Also, if there is 1 manager that you shouldn't be so arrogant to, is Neil Warnock.

 

[H T B]

you're taking that post from Brown Nose seriously?

Humour doesnt always come through in the written word.

 

[City Fan]

you're taking that post from Brown Nose seriously?

Well no, no one in their right mind could take it seriously, but I think it was intended to be.

 

[Orifice]

We just have to be careful.

Careful and attacking.
Attacking and patient.
Pateint and composed.

That's all.
Just be careful, attacking, patient, and composed. How hard can it be?

 

[Orifice]

Oh, we need to be a bit lucky. Just in case.

 

[Miles Away]

Kasper

Ricardo
Morgan
H
Fuchs

Iborra
Mendy
Gray
Ghezzal

Shinji
Nacho

Or summat like it.

 

[Robin127]

Kasper

Ricardo
Morgan
H from Steps
Fuchs

Iborra
Mendy
Gray
Ghezzal

Shinji
Nacho

Or summat like it.

 

[Feriol]

Kasper

Simpson
Soyuncu
Maguire
Fuchs

Mendy
Iborra

Ghezzal
Gray

Okazaki

Iheanacho

 

[Joe_Fox]

Has anyone else warmed somewhat to Neil Warnock? I used to despise him but now I think he's genuinely a decent bloke.