Championship Preview: Cardiff Looking to Inflict Back-to-Back Defeats to Leeds

Burnley vs Blackpool

Burnley managed to arrest their two-match losing streak with a win over Coventry City during the weekend, but they could not keep up the same level of performance in the midweek League Cup match against Cardiff. Even though the team are healthy five points clear of the drop zone, things could change quickly in the Championship.

Blackpool have been decent enough recently without being spectacular, although the recent 4-0 defeat against West Ham stands clear above anything else. Still, Blackpool find themselves extremely close to the play-offs position and could get into the top half of the table this weekend should results go their way.

Burnley do not find themselves in such a luxury, but things could only improve. Their home form, however, does not make for good reading ahead of hosting Blackpool. Burnley have won just one match—against equally struggling Nottingham Forest—in the last five home games.

However, they can take heart from the fact that Blackpool are not doing well on the road themselves. In fact, their only away win of the season—on the opening day against Hull—looks something that happened a long time ago. Avoiding a thrashing like the previous 4-0 away defeat would be great for Blackpool.

Leeds vs Cardiff

Leeds United's unbeaten run in the Championship, which started at the beginning of September, finally came to an end against Birmingham on Thursday. Still, Leeds find themselves in the perfect position to take an automatic promotion spot should they keep up the good work from here on in. Leeds are just six points behind Southampton and it is a gap that amounts to nothing in the Championship.

The only problem for Simon Grayson's men might come in the form of the goal difference, which is slightly inferior in comparison with the other promotion chasing teams.

After going close to getting promoted to the Premier League many times in the last few years, Cardiff City seem to be taking a breather. Still, it does not seem to have prevented them from challenging for the play-offs position once again.

They are just one point off Leeds United and have a healthy goal difference as well. However, the major problem for Malky Mackay's men has come in the form of the inability to get results on the road. It has been five matches since Cardiff last tasted success on the road, but they could take advantage of Leeds' first Championship defeat for over two months.

Jann - Footybay.Com