FA Cup: Cardiff Seek Second Chance in Yorkshire

Leeds United vs Cardiff City

They love to dream in Wales.

And why not, for their sporting heroes have a proud history of going toe-to-toe with far larger nations and coming out on top.

The FA Cup is a fine example of that, including the 1927 final when Cardiff City saw off the mighty Arsenal at Wembley.

Just over a week ago the same proud club came within minutes of another special FA Cup moment to add to its collection.

It wasn’t quite to be as a 93^rd-minute equaliser rescued Leeds United against their 10-man hosts.

So, have the Bluebirds, sitting 21^st in the Championship and the league’s lowest scorers, missed their best chance of causing an upset?

Talking Points

Well certainly it would seem there is a lack of stability as Cardiff sacked their manager Mark Hudson on Saturday night after just four months in charge.

The former Bluebirds captain was relieved of his duties within hours of their 1-1 home draw against bottom-club Wigan Athletic when they conceded a 96^th-minute equaliser.

Winless in nine games, Hudson is the second manager Cardiff have parted company with this season after they dismissed Steve Morison in September.

Dean Whitehead has taken interim charge of the team, which is one place and three points above the relegation zone.

That said, while the SBOTOP FA Cup 2023 betting odds will be stacked against them, in many ways this is something of a free hit for the Welsh club.

The majority will feel their best chance of a shock has gone and, away from league action – it’s hoped top goalscorer Callum Robinson can return from illness – and with the pressure arguably off, just maybe they will have a chance of creating FA Cup 2023 highlights.

Leeds at Elland Road could be a different proposition, of course, and when their fans are behind them, there can be quite a hostile atmosphere for visiting teams – we saw that only recently when they shared the points in a four-goal thriller with West Ham.

Although they went down 2-1 to Aston Villa on Friday night, boss Jesse Marsch said it was his side’s ‘best performance’ during his 11 months in charge.

There was also the boost of another encouraging display from Wilfried Gnonto and a first goal since 2021 for Patrick Bamford, who was making his return after two and a half months out with a groin injury and has had a luckless 18 months on the injury front.

With Leeds also hovering closer to the drop zone than they would wish, perhaps the cup is a welcome distraction for both clubs.

With an away tie against Boreham Wood or Accrington Stanley waiting in the fourth round, the incentive to progress is clear.

History

Historically, this is a fixture in which Cardiff have held a clear upper hand.

They have tasted victory on 29 occasions compared to 17 Leeds successes and a further 15 draws.

Their most recent meeting, before last week’s tie which forced this replay, was in 2020 when Cardiff ran out 2-0 winners in the Championship, which Leeds won that season.

When they had met at Elland Road earlier in the 2019/20 campaign, the two played out a thrilling 3-3 draw – a match which produced an amazing comeback from the Bluebirds.

Trailing 3-0 inside 50 minutes to goals from Helder Costa and Bamford (two, one penalty), Cardiff pulled one back through Lee Tomlin before a frantic final eight minutes in which Sean Morrison scored – and was then sent off – and Robert Glatzel netted a late equaliser.

The last time they met in Yorkshire in the FA Cup was also at the third round stage in 1975 when Leeds were 4-1 winners.

Believe it or not, the very first meetings between these two clubs came in March 1921 in League Division Two when they faced up twice in the space of 24 hours

Cardiff won 1-0 at home and then went to Leeds the following day and recorded a 2-1 success.

Betting Tip 

It is hard to go against Leeds.

The Premier League outfit are priced 1X2 @ 1.30 and Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 1.94.

Cardiff, meanwhile, are on offer 1X2 @ 6.80 and Asian Handicap +1.25 @ 2.16.

Although this replay has to be settled, even if that means in extra-time or via penalties, another 2-2 in normal time would pay out @ 32.00 with Correct Score.

Goal options include over 3.00 @ 2.07, total goal 0-1 @ 3.90, 2-3 @ 1.93 and 4-6 @ 2.79.

Leeds have been thwarted by Cardiff on various occasions in recent decades.

They will go it and prevail this time though and that is why my three-star tip is Half Time Full Time Draw Home @ 3.60.

 

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