It?s off to the Walkers Stadium tomorrow where Leicester and Cardiff will battle it out for the three points each club needs for two very different reasons.
Cardiff need the points to keep up their play off challenge while Leicester are at the other end of the table looking for the points to get out of the relegation zone
Vital Quotes:
Dave Jones
‘We’ve put ourselves in contention and strengthened the squad. Our aim is to go up this season – if not, it will be next season.
‘To achieve that we must go out to win every game and now it’s not about performances, it’s about winning and points.
‘I want a winning team, not a side able to play football that is pretty on the eye and loses. If we get on a roll and grind out results to maintain our challenge, we will be very happy.’
Matty Fryatt
‘I’ve been in similar positions when I was at Carlisle on loan and also during my time at Walsall.
‘If I can help turn around Leicester’s fortunes then that would be great.
‘After being here for just over a week I can’t see any reason why we can’t go up the league and away from the relegation zone. I can see things turning around.’
Leicester Team News:
Defender Richard Stearman is expected to return to full fitness in time for Saturday’s game after suffering a dead leg in last weekend?s clash with Sheffield United.
Midfielder James Wesolowski is pushing to play some part as he has recovered from a broken shin and new signing Matty Fryatt will be looking to be given his debut.
Winger Momo Sylla is away on African Nations Cup duty with Guinea, and Danny Tiatto is struggling for fitness because of a hamstring problem.
Player to watch: Mark de Vries
Experienced Dutchman with eight goals so far this season.
Cardiff Team News:
Midfielder Riccardo Scimeca will make his full debut for the Bluebirds at the Walkers Stadium against one of his former clubs. He will take the place of Willie Bolland.
Glenn Loovens is of course missing and so is Jeff Whitley who completes his suspension. Neil Cox and Darren Purse will pair up in defence.
Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu looks set to take his place on the bench.
Starting up front should be Steve Thompson and Cameron Jerome.
Player to watch: Steve Thompson
After last week?s explosive start, Thompson will be out to hit more
Match Facts & Stats
Cardiff have played Leicester twice this season and so far its honours even, in September Michael Ricketts gave Cardiff the points in a Championship match and then in October Nils-Eric Johansson scored the goal that sent Cardiff out of the Carling Cup.
Hen you look at the current form, Leicester City have two wins, three draws and one defeat in their last six at home while Cardiff have five defeats and just one win in six away games.
As far as points go, Leicester have 26 from 28 games while the Bluebirds have 41 points from playing one game more.
Ref Watch:
Neil Swarbrick
This is Swarbricks first season of refereeing league games.
He has been in charge of 18 games so far, giving out 37 yellow cards and 2 red.
Match Prediction:
I see this game ending in a tight win for Cardiff, say 2-1
Next Fixtures:
Championship Cardiff vs Millwall 31-01-2006
Championship C Palace vs Cardiff 04-02-2006
