Cardiff are struggling in the Championship with no wins since Bonfire Night and no goals scored over their last 270 minutes of action.
Leeds’ fortunes haven’t been much better of late, having gone five matches without a victory in all competitions.
Illness has struck the hosts with Cedric Kipre, Gavin Whyte and Callum Robinson all missing out. Kion Etete and Mahlon Romeo are sidelined through injuries.
Jesse Marsch is without long-term absentees Luis Sinisterra, Stuart Dallas, Adam Forshaw and Archie Gray, while Patrick Bamford is listed as a doubt.
Winner: Leeds
This match is a great opportunity to get back to winning ways for Leeds.
A victory will ease the pressure on Marsch, and give them something to build on ahead of a crucial Premier League encounter with Aston Villa next weekend.
Cardiff haven’t won at home in five matches, and have just two victories at home since mid August.
While Leeds haven’t exactly been formidable on the road, they have sufficient quality to win this tie inside 90 minutes.
Total Goals: Under 2.5
There has been a grand total of three goals across Cardiff’s last four matches.
The Welsh club have struggled to find the net, but have been relatively solid in defence. Only three of their 13 home matches in the Championship have provided over 2.5 goals.
Cup fixtures can free teams up. Plus, Leeds are no strangers to an open match.
The under still looks like the better value option at this price, however, with Cardiff keen to frustrate the visitors and aiming for a one-goal victory.
First Card Received: Leeds
Only four teams have received fewer bookings than Cardiff in the Championship, and the Bluebirds are well below average when it comes to fouls per match.
Leeds, in stark contrast, commit the most fouls per fixture in the Premier League and have an array of card candidates in their squad.
All odds are subject to change
