Preview: Cardiff vs Leicester

Leicester travel to Cardiff with it all to do after Peter Whittingham's first leg goal hands the Bluebirds the advantage going into the second leg in the Welsh capital.

Whittingham's goal on Saturday with just twelve minutes of the match remaining, a superb free-kick, is the one that seperates the two sides ahead of Wednesday evening's crucial clash.

Going to Cardiff on level terms would have been difficult enough for Nigel Pearson's side, but defeat on Saturday means that Leicester must record victory to stand any chance of making it through to the Wembley final on May 22nd.

Whichever way you look at it from here on it remains Cardiff's tie to lose, with the aggregate score now setting up a potentially open game with the Foxes requiring at least a goal.

Pearson could ring the changes in Cardiff, with his approach not yet clear. A 4-4-2 is likely from the beginning to test the water, with City moving to their favoured 4-3-3 later in the game should they still require a goal.

Leicester assistant manager Craig Shakespeare: 'We've been 1-0 down at half-time before, but we've got to be positive. It was a close game, both sides had chances although ours were only half chances and we'd like to have tested the goalkeeper a bit more.'

Cardiff are likely to stick with the same side which recorded victory over the Foxes in the first leg on Saturday.

The big striker was a constant thorn in the Leicester backline on Saturday, his physical approach proving testing for centre back pairing Jack Hobbs and Alex Bruce.

Alongside Michael Chopra Bothroyd excels, and the Foxes will certainly once again be wary of the agile forward.

Leicester will asses the fitness of both Wayne Brown and James Vaughan are both missed Saturday's defeat.

Steve Howard returns from suspension and is likely to start up front to give the Foxes a different approach against a strong Cardiff defence.

Cardiff fans seem afraid of the prospect of Howard lining up against their side, his goal-scoring record against the club seemingly healthy.

Howard has much to prove with the summer looming, and could be the difference for City with his aerial presence up front.

- Saturday was the first time Leicester had ever lost a single match in a two-legged match.

- Peter Whittingham has found the net in each of his three meetings with City this season.

- His goal at the weekend was his 24th of the season in all competitions - from the left wing.

- Leicester have already lost twice this season at the Cardiff City Stadium - 4-2 in the League Cup & 2-1 in the Championship.

Howard Webb

It's going to be extremely tough but we have to go for it. Positivity... Cardiff 0-1 Leicester.

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