Leeds v Harrogate Town preview: Team news, where to watch, prediction, lineups
Leeds United will be hoping for an easy progression in the FA Cup when they host Harrogate Town in the third round.
Daniel Farke is expected to rotate heavily for the clash against the League Two outfit on Saturday (11 January), with many first-team regulars due for a much-needed rest.
The Whites remain on track to secure the Championship title heading into the second half of the season, but will be hoping for a much easier afternoon in West Yorkshire after squandering a two-goal lead in the final 10 minutes during the 3-3 draw against Hull City last time out.
Preview
Although Hull halted Leeds’ momentum by cutting their Championship lead to a single point, the East Yorkshire outfit will soon complete the loan signing of Joe Gelhardt [Baz Cooper].
With one less transfer dilemma to worry about at Elland Road, Farke can immediately focus on what appears to be an easy passage to the FA Cup fourth round.
Harrogate are fighting for survival in the fourth tier of English football, with only a five-point buffer to the relegation zone.
Furthermore, Simon Weaver has managed only one win in his last five league outings, and despite coming off the back of a 2-0 win against Barrow, they are about to face one of the most in-form sides in the Championship.
Even with heavy squad rotation, Farke boasts a side capable of dispatching the League Two strugglers at Elland Road, but with the magic of the FA Cup, nothing is guaranteed.
Form Guide [league competitions]
Leeds United: DDWWW
Harrogate Town: WLDLL
Head-to-Head [all competitions]
Harrogate Town 0-3 Leeds United (19 July, 2024)
Harrogate Town 1-1 Leeds United (10 July, 2015)
Team News for Leeds United v Harrogate Town
The Whites will be without forward duo Joel Piroe and Patrick Bamford for the FA Cup clash, with the latter expected to be on the sidelines for a month.
Max Wober will also miss the weekend’s action due to a knee issue, whereas Ilia Gruev and Junior Firpo remain in recovery from their respective injury issues.
Weaver will be without several first-team stars for the trip to Elland Road, with George Thomson, Liam Gibson, Ellis Taylor, James Moorby, Eno Nto, Josh Falkingham and Matty Foulds all ruled out.
Predicted lineups for Leeds United v Harrogate Town
Leeds United: Darlow, Bogle, Debayo, Ampadu, Byram, Rothwell, Guilavogui, Gnonto, Aaronson, Ramazani, Joseph
Harrogate Town: Belshaw, Sims, O’Connor, Moon, Burrell, Cornelius, Sutton, Morris, Dooley, Muldoon, March
Where to watch?
The match at the Elland Road kicks off at 5:45pm GMT on 9 January and will be available for live television coverage on BBC iPlayer.
Alternatively, supporters can also listen to commentary on BBC Radio Leeds.
Prediction: Harrogate Town 0-3 Leeds United
The Whites should ease back into winning ways comfortably at Elland Road against a depleted Harrogate Town.
While the gulf in class between the sides would remain if the visitors boasted a fully-fit squad, the injuries have dampened any hope of a miracle result in the FA Cup.
In other Leeds news, a major update emerges after Patrick Bamford developments at the Whites.
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