Cardiff City travel to face Leicester City tonight looking to keep up the momentum which has seen the Bluebirds climb to the summit of the Championship. Meanwhile the Foxes are bidding for their first win of the season after re-building under new boss Paulo Sousa. This should be an intriguing encounter with Cardiff City full of goals so far, but away from home against a Leicester City outfit coming together as a group and improving every game. Many feel they will soon click into gear and start racking up the wins.
Indeed, a look at the Leicester City squad suggests they are likely to challenge for a play-off spot once again, if only Sousa can get them playing to their potential. A number of contenders were in consideration for ‘dangerman-in-chief` – not least star striker Matty Fryatt, who Vital Leicester today tipped as ready to shine. He`s a proven goalscorer and a powerful runner up-front, capable of causing serious problems for any defence at this level.
Jack Hobbs is an excellent player and a calming influence at the back for the Foxes, while Richie Wellens is an established and effective Championship player – an ‘all-round` midfielder who can contribute all over the pitch. There are few with Matt Oakley`s experience around while the likes of Martyn Waghorn, Danny N`Guessan and Lloyd Dyer can provide spark, flair and unpredictability. No-one need warn Cardiff City fans about the dangers of burly forward Steve Howard – he has netted against us all too frequently over the seasons. All are worthy of special attention.
However, Vital Cardiff has selected Welsh midfielder Andy King as the one to watch tonight. Not always the most eyecatching of performers, King can go about his business and hurt teams without effort. He was named young player of the year in 08/09 before picking up the senior award last season.
King is exactly the sort of player Cardiff City have historically struggled against. He is clever and pops up in un-expected positions, often left un-marked and he has contributed an impressive 21 goals from midfield in 104 appearances for the Foxes – better than some strikers. That haul includes 11 goals in the last campaign while he has also netted twice this year. King scored against us in the home play-off semi-final defeat last season, belying his diminutive stature to score a headed goal from a standing jump. That goal, just after the break, saw the Foxes take a 3-1 aggregate lead and would have seen them through to Wembley if not for Whittingham`s penalty equaliser.
If fit, Seyi Olofinjana is likely to be given the task of watching King`s runs from midfield. The impressive Nigerian has been in imperious form of late and certainly has the physical edge on King. If we can keep Leicester City subdued, it would take a brave man to bet against the Bluebirds carving out a few decent chances for the likes of Bellamy (if fit), Keogh, Burke, Whittingham and co.
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