Leeds United handed Queens Park Rangers clash in FA Cup 3rd round draw

This weekend’s Championship opponents, who come to Elland Road on Saturday, are set to host Leeds at Loftus Road over the weekend of January 5, the first of three meetings between the clubs in the space of two months.

United will attempt to maintain their pace near the top of the league against Steve McClaren’s side in five days’ time and the sides are scheduled to meet in the return fixture in west London on February 16.

An all-Championship match denied United head coach Marcelo Bielsa a tussle with the Premier League’s leading coaches, including the likes of Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola and Tottenham Hotspur’s Mauricio Pochettino who have both singled credited Bielsa with inspiring their managerial careers.

The Argentinian, however, also avoided the possibility of a clash with non-league sides Barnet, Woking, Solihull Moors, Southport, Wrexham and Guiseley, all of whom were in the hat for the third round draw which took place tonight.

Leeds were knocked out by lower league opposition in the FA Cup in both of the past two seasons, losing to Sutton United under Garry Monk in 2017 and at Newport County under Thomas Christiansen last January.

Their trip to QPR will fall between league games against Nottingham Forest on New Year’s Day and Derby County on January 11.

FA Cup holders Chelsea were drawn at home to Nottingham Forest.