Leedsvs.Harrogate

Leeds are accustomed to facing local rivals in the form of Bradford City and Huddersfield Town, but this will be a new experience for everybody at Elland Road this weekend.

Match preview

For 1972 winners Leeds, this should be a routine afternoon given the margin between the sides in the pyramid, with the home side top of the Championship, and Harrogate scrapping near the bottom of League Two.

Daniel Farke's side are unbeaten in eight matches - winning five - moving to the Championship summit in recent weeks, and staying there despite dropping two points late on at Hull City last weekend.

Promotion matters will be shelved for the time being though, with attention turning to cup matters, and Leeds seeking to advance past the third round for the third season running.

After going out at this stage five years running between 2018 and 2022, Leeds have now reached the fifth round in back-to-back seasons, and they have been handed a favourable draw in the hope of an even better run this time around.

Harrogate's rise up the divisions in recent years has seen them become regulars in the FA Cup proper, and they will not make the short trip without hope, given that Leeds have only won one of the last five ties they have played against fourth-tier opponents in this competition.

However, the Whites are unbeaten at home in the FA Cup since a defeat to Arsenal in the 2010-11 season, winning three and drawing two of the games here.

The hosts have also progressed from four of their last five FA Cup ties against fellow Yorkshire sides, with the most recent coming against Rotherham United in 2016.

For Harrogate, this will be just the second third-round tie in their history, with the only other ending in a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Luton Town in 2022.

Keeping things tighter at the back could be possible for the Sulphurites here, considering they are yet to concede in the FA Cup so far this season.

A hugely impressive 1-0 win over Wrexham got them through round one, before they made little fuss in beating Gainsborough Trinity to get this far.

The visitors have suffered some bruising defeats in the competition in recent years though, with that Luton result coming a year after Blackpool also beat them 4-0, while Bolton Wanderers thumped them 5-1 last season.

Simon Weaver's men will enter the tie with confidence though after returning to winning ways last weekend, securing a 2-0 success over Barrow to move five points clear of the relegation zone in League Two, and above Swindon Town in 21st.

Given that there is only a three-point gap to 15th, Harrogate know a few good results will lift them a long way clear of trouble, meaning that those worries can be shelved for the time being, allowing them to enjoy this potentially great cup tie.

Leeds United form (all competitions):

D

W

W

W

D

D

Harrogate Town FA Cup form:

W

W

Harrogate Town form (all competitions):

L

L

L

D

L

W

Team News

The quality of the opposition and the importance of winning promotion this season means Leeds are set to make many changes for this clash.

Joe Gelhardt could be given minutes if he is fit enough to return, but Ilia Gruev and Junior Firpo will miss out due to injury.

Leeds have a healthy squad and Farke is set to use it here, with the likes of Mateo Joseph, Josuha Guilavogui and Largie Ramazani in contention to start, while Karl Darlow may also replace Illan Meslier in goal.

Harrogate are without top scorer Ellis Taylor due to injury, along with fellow midfielders George Thomson and Josh Falkingham.

The visitors are also missing some defensive options for the time being, with Liam Gibson and James Moorby both sidelined, but after some excellent performances from Anthony O'Connor and Jasper Moon last weekend, they may fancy their chances of frustrating Leeds.

Leeds United possible starting lineup:

Darlow; Byram, Debayo, Ampadu, Wober; Guilavogui, Tanaka; Ramazani, Schmidt, Joseph; Bamford

Harrogate Town possible starting lineup:

Belshaw; Moon, O'Connor, Burrell; Sims, Cornelius, Sutton, Morris, Daly; Muldoon, March

We say: Leeds United 4-1 Harrogate Town

The depth of Leeds' squad suggests that, even with heavy rotation, they will field an XI with internationals and plenty of players with top-flight experience, and that should be too much for Harrogate.

Written by

Andrew Delaney

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