Leeds United will look to go 13 games unbeaten today when they welcome Cardiff City to Elland Road. The team are currently on a run of four straight clean sheets across all competitions, having recorded their 17th Championship blank slate in Monday’s goalless draw with Burnley at Turf Moor.

Daniel Farke revealed that he urged his players to switch focus to Cardiff in the changing rooms following that shutout against the Clarets.

He has outlined how it is the games against those outside of the promotion race that are matches that will determine his side’s fate this season. Here are a number of talking points for Leeds ahead of kick-off.

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Aaronson end product

No-one can accuse Brenden Aaronson of not working hard. The American's pressing and running is a part of his game-style, and something that any manager would admire - but it also seems to be contributing to his lack of end product of late.

Aaronson has begun the last 27 Championship matches, but has visibly waned towards the end of games in recent weeks. The no.10 has failed to score or assist in his last five matches, and has recorded just a single goal in his last seven fixtures.

Cardiff have kept just one clean sheet in their last 17 league games. This is a prime opportunity, then, for Aaronson to break his barren streak and provide a goal contribution this weekend - but he might need to manage his energy levels a little more efficiently.

Struggling strikers

The same need for a goal contribution also applies for Joel Piroe. The striker is indeed United’s top scorer with 10 strikes but has netted just once in his past six matches and his last goal at Elland Road came back in November against Luton Town - some seven home matches ago.

Farke said in his press conference on Thursday that confidence is an important part of a striker’s game, so it does not sound like Piroe will be getting dropped any time soon. Not that there are many suitable alternatives.

Patrick Bamford is still sidelined having yet to start a Championship game this season, while Mateo Joseph has played in all but one league match but has not found the net since mid-October.

Another game without a goal for the strikers would intensify the push from fans for a new face before Monday’s transfer deadline.

Struijk decision

Pascal Struijk is back in team training once again, having returned to group sessions on Tuesday following his hamstring injury. He is in contention to feature against Cardiff but it is unclear whether he is ready enough to start the match.

United have a midweek trip to Coventry City on Wednesday, arguably a tougher test than the one facing Leeds on Saturday. Meanwhile, ‘Welsh wall’ centre-back duo Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon have kept three clean sheets in Struijk’s absence, including against Burnley.

Farke is mindful that Cardiff have scored two or more goals in their last three matches so will be feeling confident in attack. Whether that pushes him to start Struijk and place Ampadu back in midfield, or not, will be an interesting call.

Final transfer warning

This match will be the final fixture before the January transfer deadline on Monday. The club have always maintained that they expected a quiet month and, so far, that has been the case.

That is not to say something might not happen in the final days of the window, with the manager open to making acquisitions at centre-back, no.10 and centre-forward. There has been a push from some fans for Leeds to reinforce the central attacking areas amid the recent subdued output of Aaronson and Piroe.

Should a gaping issue become more apparent against Cardiff this weekend, it could be the final domino that sees Farke make a move in the market. But given his press conference comments and the current form of the team, don’t hold your breath.