Leeds United: Chris Sutton predicts result of FA Cup clash v Peterborough for BBC Sport
Chris Sutton has shared his predictions as Leeds United travel to Peterborough in the FA Cup third round on Sunday afternoon (7 January).
The Whites make the trip to the Weston Homes Stadium on Sunday to take on the third-placed League One outfit looking to build on from their rampant 3-0 win over Birmingham City on New Year’s Day.
Both teams have hugely pivotal playoff aspirations in their respective divisions and will be using the FA Cup opportunity to boost confidence ahead of the crucial weeks ahead.
Sutton sharing his prediction for BBC Sport (3 January) believes Peterborough’s “exciting” crop of youngsters could prove a stern test for Daniel Farke’s men but the Whites should have too much quality for their opponents in the end.
He wrote: “Former Norwich boss Daniel Farke is having a great time of it with Leeds, who are flying at the moment. Peterborough have got some exciting young players and they will have a real go at home, but Leeds have the quality to get past them.
“Prediction: 2-3.”
Critical decision
Leeds United don’t play again for another six days after Sunday’s encounter in the FA Cup which certainly means Farke will be hoping to start plenty of his key stars and kill Peterborough from the off.
However, The Posh are on a tremendous unbeaten run of ten games and have only lost once at home all season which came back in August so they will certainly be no pushovers for Farke and his team.
Also, the German coach can ill-afford to be complacent or arrogant with his selection decision on Sunday and must go for it in front of his own fans who will be demanding a fairytale cup run to go along with their playoff aspirations in the Championship.
The FA Cup is so rich and prestigious because of games like these and it would be a real kick in the teeth for the Whites to suffer a damaging loss on Sunday, even if the excuse will be the extra games aren’t needed.
Leeds United are a side blessed with quality and youthfulness but so are Peterborough which makes this tie an intriguing one but the way the Whites approach this one will be hugely determined by Farke’s selection for the game. Critical.
In other Leeds United news, an international player linked with a move to Elland Road is unhappy at his current club and could be on his way out in the January transfer window.