Preview: Cardiff vs Leicester

Leicester travel to the Welsh capital in their crucial play-off clash with Cardiff tomorrow hoping to break their dismal run of three matches without victory.

The Foxes have picked up just one of their last nine points available, with Saturday’s disappointing defeat at Derby the latest in a poor run.

Cardiff on the other hand are unbeaten in their last four matches to steady their promotion bid, in a turn of form which has seen the Bluebirds pick up seven home victories in their last nine.

The game could go a long way to providing one of these two sides with a crucial step towards securing a play-off position, with both looking to extend the gap over 7th placed Blackpool.

A win for Nigel Pearson’s Foxes would see them take a seven point cushion over their Lancashire rivals, whilst three points for the home side would hand them an eight point gap.

Last time both sides met came earlier this month when Martyn Waghorn’s first-half goal proved decisive to hand Leicester all three points at the Walkers Stadium.

However, Cardiff were the victors in the FA Cup at the Cardiff City Stadium, as two late goals handed the Bluebirds a passage through to the next round to face Chelsea.

Vital Quotes:

Leicester assistant manager Craig Shakespeare: ‘After the Forest game, people were saying we were already up there but we knew we had to dig in. The Championship is the sort of league where you have to be ‘at it’ every game.

‘We have had a setback but the last time we had two defeats in a row we went on a good run, and we need to do that again.’

Cardiff City Team News:

Centre back Anthony Gerrard could return to the starting lineup after sitting out the last three matches with a calf injury.

Kevin McNaughton is definitely out with a thigh injury, whilst Jay Bothroyd remains suspended.

Player to watch: Chris Burke

Plucked from Rangers in the summer, Burke has been a revelation in Wales this season, scoring nine goals along the way to aid the Bluebirds in their play-off quest.

And with form like his at the moment, Leicester will certainly have their eye on the diminutive midfield maestro.

Leicester City Team News:

Bruno Berner looks set to miss out once again, so the 40-year-old Chris Powell should continue at left back.

On-loan Everton striker James Vaughan could return to provide competition up front should he shake off a hamstring injury picked up on his debut against Cardiff.

Player to watch: Dany N’Guessan

After making an impressive substitutes appearance against Derby on Saturday it would be harsh for Pearson to overlook the Frenchman once again.

One of City’s most prolific impact players so far this term, N’Guessan helped himself to a goal at the Cardiff City Stadium in the FA Cup earlier in the year from a starting position.

Match Facts & Stats

– Leicester are looking for a third consecutive league win against Cardiff.

– Only Newcastle in the Championship’s top 14 have beaten the Bluebirds at home.

– Nigel Pearson is looking for his 50th win as Leicester manager.

– Cardiff are the third highest goal-scorers in the division (65).

Match Prediction:

I’m sorry, I just can’t feel confident about this. It’s a massive game for both sides, but I just can’t help but feel a 2-0 Cardiff on the cards here.