Leeds United commence their bid to earn an immediate return to the Premier League with a home fixture against Cardiff City on Sunday.

While the home side are one of the favourites to win the Championship title, the Bluebirds are looking to build on narrowly avoiding relegation during 2022-23.

Match preview

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Throughout this summer, Leeds supporters have had to remain patient, both in terms of the club's takeover and acquiring a new head coach that could lead them to promotion.

Both are now in place with Daniel Farke - a two-time Championship title winner with Norwich City - the man at the helm and tasked with leading the charge for the second-tier crown.

As it stands, the focus has been on outgoings, Leeds parting with as many as nine players who featured in the first team last season, and just goalkeeper Karl Darlow and defender Ethan Ampadu have arrived thus far.

Nevertheless, there is an understanding that more players will soon follow to link up with what remains an exciting squad, with Leeds having a strong recent history of purchasing younger talent.

Although they have defeats to Manchester United and Monaco on their pre-season record, Leeds hit back with victories over Nottingham Forest and Hearts respectively.

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At a time when they have been restricted to loans and free agents in the transfer market, Cardiff fans will be quietly optimistic about the upcoming campaign.

The near-miss with relegation has been followed by the appointment of former Fenerbahce boss Erol Bulut, the anticipated return of Aaron Ramsey and an array of shrewd business in attack.

Cardiff signing the likes of Josh Bowler, Yakou Meite, Karlan Grant and Ike Ugbo to strengthen in the final third has not received the attention that it merits, and the Bluebirds could surprise a few this campaign.

That said, they ended pre-season with defeats to Braga and Porto without scoring and playing out a goalless draw at Wycombe Wanderers, hardly the confidence booster that they required ahead of the challenge that awaits them at Elland Road.

Team News

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While Farke is likely to line up with much of the Leeds XI that started against Hearts, a change will be required in attack.

Each of Georginio Rutter and Patrick Bamford sustained injuries in that fixture, leaving either Wilfried Gnonto or Joe Gelhardt in line to come into the side.

Although Archie Gray received 90 minutes of action during that game, Jamie Shackleton may replace the teenager in the centre of the pitch.

As well as several fresh faces that could make their debut, Ebou Adams could start in the Cardiff midfield after missing the entirety of last season through injury.

Grant and Ugbo could get the nod in the final third, while Ramsey will want to prove to be an influential figure in the engine room having returned to his boyhood club.

Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Meslier; Ayling, Cooper, Struijk, Hjelde; Ampadu, Shackleton; James, Summerville, Sinisterra; Gelhardt

Cardiff City possible starting lineup:
Allsop; Ng, Goutas, Simpson, O'Dowda; Wintle, Adams, Ramsey; Ojo, Grant, Ugbo

We say: Leeds United 2-1 Cardiff City

With Leeds still yet to conduct the majority of their business in terms of incomings, Cardiff have a realistic chance to cause the upset on Sunday. However, home advantage may prove key with the Yorkshire giants potentially edging this encounter in the closing stages.

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