Leeds United fans have one main expectation ahead of Derby County FA Cup clash
Leeds United are in FA Cup action this weekend and the YEP Jury have given their opinion on how it might go
As Leeds United prepare to set aside their fight for survival in the Premier League and turn their attention to an FA Cup tie with Derby County, the YEP’s Jury have been predicting how it could pan out against the Championship side.
NEIL GREWER
Six weeks ago the chances of Daniel Farke managing Leeds United in the FA Cup again were questionable.
How things have changed, however I suspect the attitude towards the Cup remains unchanged.
The current encouraging league position and demanding recent schedule exacerbated by the incredible game at Newcastle, would suggest Leeds will be happy to concentrate on the league.
Farke will use this game to rest and test. I expect rests for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Jayden Bogle, Gabi Gudmundsson, Joe Rodon, and Anton Stach with opportunities given to Willy Gnonto, Sam Bryam, Joel Piroe, Ao Tanaka, Ilia Gruev and possibly Jack Harrison, with Sean Longstaff maybe also getting minutes.
Gnonto and Piroe must make the most of any opportunities presented but the current team formation is not best suited to either player. Perhaps Gnonto’s role is as an impact substitute?
The squad depth is shallow, and all substitutions are likely to be utilised to save players for the challenges ahead.
A changed Leeds team should still have enough to beat Derby, but the quantity of changes may impact team fluidity.
Prediction: Derby County 2 Leeds United 3.
ANDY RHODES
After this week, I think we all need a break in the FA Cup, don’t we?
The Manchester United draw was absolutely the right result but Leeds will think themselves hard done by after losing at Newcastle United on Wednesday night.
In the end, that extra bit of quality, the strength of each side’s subs and an error from Lucas Perri cost Leeds a point.
The Whites were good value for the draw as well and gave as good as they got. It was just that one moment right at the death.
The FA Cup will give Daniel Farke an opportunity to rest some key players after a gruelling festive fixture list.
It would be good to see the likes of Joel Piroe, Sam Byram and maybe even Harry Gray get a decent run out.
Piroe in particular could be needed at any point later in the league season, so Farke will want to make sure he’s keeping sharp.
The league fixtures don’t get much easier from here but hopefully the players can come back rested next weekend.
Prediction: Derby County 1 Leeds United 2.
DAVID WATKINS
After the excitement but ultimate despair of losing 4-3 at Newcastle on Wednesday, Leeds turn their attentions to the FA Cup this weekend at old foes Derby County, with all the Revie–Clough and Bielsa–Lampard history.
For me, Leeds threw away at least two points at St James’ Park; we had the game won three times, yet, not for the first time, we showed a lack of game management at crucial moments and a defence that is always capable of conceding a soft goal.
Now it’s the age-old FA Cup third round dilemma. Do we give the first XI a rest, or do we go strong in the hope of a Cup run?
More often than not, we’ve opted for the former MO, bowing out at the first hurdle but then suffering a hangover in the following league games anyway!
Our record against the Rams has been good recently – one defeat in our last nine encounters… although that was a painful one in a play-off semi-final, second-leg game that delayed our return to the Premier League in 2019.
I expect Leeds will play fringe players in this one, just as we did at Hillsborough, and I expect the same disappointing outcome.
Prediction: Derby 2 Leeds United 1.
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KEITH INGHAM
Leeds United take a week’s break from the hussle and bussle of the Premier League with a trip to Derby County in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday.
The tournament hardly raises the pulses if you are a Leeds fan. We rarely get past the first two rounds we can play in but maybe this year it could be taken a little more seriously than of late.
Without doubt there will be changes to the team. Sean Longstaff – back from injury – should start as may Joel Piroe and Willy Gnonto.
There even might be places for Sam Chambers and Jack Harrison. Karl Darlow will also start in goal to give Lucas Perri a week off.
I’d like to see Leeds still stay as strong as possible to get through this tricky tie at Pride Park.
They are in the bottom half of the Championship and have only won two of their last six games. They were beaten 2-1 at home last Sunday by Wrexham.
We have a bit of ‘history’ with Derby that goes back to the Revie v Clough years in the 60s and 70s which was ignited again when Derby beat Leeds in the play-off semi-finals over two legs. Happily, for Leeds fans, they lost the final.
Even with a second string starting, I’d expect to get through to round four.
Prediction: Derby County1 Leeds United 3.
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MIKE GILL
After the thrilling but ultimately disappointing encounter at Newcastle United, Leeds United head to Derby County for some FA Cup therapy.
Throw the form books out of the window, the result against the Rams will be whatever Leeds want it to be and it’s impossible not to speculate that a huge amount of effort is unlikely to go into it.
Nevertheless, top teams do perform in this competition even with depleted sides.
Will Leeds join them?
The unjustified and ridiculous kick-off time of noon on Sunday will not help anyone and the atmosphere is unlikely to provoke anything other than boredom.
Maybe the early kick off is to ensure that everyone can stay awake!
But to fringe players this is an opportunity to show what they are made of, so it has to be taken seriously.
An opportunity for Karl Darlow to shine?
He should take it as he may get a chance to strut his stuff in the Premier League, the way things are going!
The tombola balls have been drawn from the drum and they say – narrow away win.
Prediction: Derby County 0 Leeds United 1.