Liam Cooper’s involvement a key difference for Leeds from previous Cardiff clash

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Leeds United fans would have been forgiven for feeling a little shudder down their spines when they realised that Cardiff City were next up for Marcelo Bielsa’s side.

The Whites are in a fantastic position after winning five games in a row. They are top of the table and seven points clear of third place Fulham with nine games to go this season.

But given the events of last season, many Leeds fans will be choosing to not getting carried away until it is mathematically impossible for the Whites to be caught.

However, a positive result against the Bluebirds would send out a big statement – particularly what went on when the two sides previously met.

Leeds let 3-0 after 52 minutes against Cardiff at Elland Road. They looked to be cruising to their eighth win in a row that would have left them 12 points clear of the chasing pack.

However, Cardiff produced a stunning fightback. They scored twice before Leeds fans may have breathed a sigh of relief when Sean Morrison was sent off with four minutes remaining.

But the visitors were not down. They did find an equaliser. And – perhaps ominously – Leeds would go on to win one of their next eight games in all competitions.

With nine to go this time around, the parallels will be slightly concerning to a fanbase who have had to endure so much pain for the majority of the last two decades.

But there looks to be one crucial difference between the Leeds side that faced Cardiff in December and the one set to travel to Wales this Sunday.

The Whites were without Liam Cooper that day. It was Gaetano Berardi and Ben White at the heart of the defence, with youngster Pascal Struijk on the pitch for the final moments and Cardiff’s last goal.

In fairness, Berardi has been superb when called upon in recent times. And of course, White has been a revelation this season.

But Cooper looks to be a fantastic captain and leader. And he appears to have stepped up further this season.

It was fitting that it was Cooper who equalised at Brentford last month and sparked the turnaround that has seen Leeds pull away again.

It is tougher to imagine Cardiff coming from 3-0 down had Cooper been on the pitch back in December.

And if Leeds are able to get themselves in front this weekend, it will almost definitely be Cooper who is reminding his teammates of how much work they still to do to see the game out.