David Woods

Fri 8 January 2021 7:41, UK

Michael Owen has predicted an easy 3-0 away win for Leeds United on Sunday in their FA Cup clash against Crawley Town.

Leeds travel to Crawley for a 1.30pm kick-off that’s been picked by the BBC for broadcast.

Many Leeds fans are desperate for a cup run under Bielsa and Owen thinks they’ll kick this off and avoid a potential banana skin at the Broadfield Stadium.

Writing in his regular column on BetVictor Owen said, “Leeds are on their travels as they visit Crawley Town. These are the types of matches where you need to be on your toes.

“Any small mistakes early on and nerves can really make it difficult. That said, Leeds are a very good side.

“I don’t see Marcelo Bielsa deviating from his usual game plan, and if his players are in the mood, I think they’ll come away with an easy win.”

Easy will do us fine

We’re expecting to get a clue from Marcelo Bielsa today about who he’s going to play on Sunday.

He’s due to take his pre-match press conference from Thorp Arch this lunchtime.

He’s named his FA Cup team before after saying it’s important to respect the integrity of the competition and the fans.

The game on Sunday will be played behind closed doors but we still think the spine of the side will be made up of familiar faces.

We’re hoping to see a few Under-23s scattered through the side and we’re hoping to see Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood, even if it’s from the bench.

An easy win would give Bielsa more flexibility to introduce young players off the bench later on in the game.

The debate will then move on to whether a long cup run would be good for Leeds or whether it could hamper us in the Premier League.

It’s an odd season and there’s every chance that more postponements will see a really crowded fixture schedule.

Premier League survival comes first but with 23 points after just 17 games, things are looking good on that front.

In other Leeds United news, Graham Smyth ‘desperate’ for £900k Leeds ace to get first-team debut ahead of clash v Crawley