Preview: Leeds United v Millwall – Team news, how to watch, prediction
Leeds United avert their attention back to the FA Cup this Saturday, as Millwall make the trip to Elland Road.
Daniel Farke’s side have been in inspired attacking form, following up their 7-0 rout of Cardiff City with a well-earned 2-0 victory at Coventry City on Wednesday night (5 February), as Joel Piroe and Jayden Bogle got on the scoresheet in the first half.
As league focus turns to cup fever, familiar opposition in Millwall arrive at Elland Road on Saturday (8 February, 12:15pm) as the Whites can book a place in the last 16 of the competition.
Preview – Leeds United v Millwall
Leeds United did what they had to do upon entering the cup at the third round stage last month, overcoming neighbours Harrogate Town 1-0 at Elland Road (11 January).
Millwall easily swept aside Dagenham & Redbridge, who were the last non-league representatives left in the competition when they were beaten 3-0 at The Den.
Farke’s men have exhibited superb attacking qualities in recent outings, now having mustered 62 goals from half as many Championship games.
The mission is loud and clear for non-negotiable promotion this term, and 66-point Leeds are well on course while recognising there is plenty still to do.
While momentum is high in the league, the FA Cup can still provide a welcome distraction and another cylinder to fire on. Should Leeds win the tie, they will be one step away from the quarter-finals.
The Whites have reached the last 16 in each of the last two seasons, having only progressed as far as the fifth round three times the past 22 years prior.
Form Guide
Leeds: WWDWW
Millwall: WWWDL
Head-to-Head
Millwall 1-0 Leeds (6 November 2024)
Leeds 2-0 Millwall (17 March 2024)
Millwall 0-3 Leeds (17 September 2023)
Leeds 3-2 Millwall (28 January 2020)
Millwall 2-1 Leeds (5 October 2019)
Team News for Leeds United v Millwall
Leeds United are in a good place fitness-wise heading into the weekend cup tie, with Pascal Struijk now having returned with his late cameo against Cardiff.
Patrick Bamford remains out, as Farke said in his press conference (5 February) that the experienced striker will be the only absentee. A sprinkling of rotations will be expected to be made to allow players a rest from the rigours of the league, making the starting XI trickier to predict.
As for Millwall, Alex Neil is expected to be able to welcome back winger Femi Azeez from injury with his last outing coming in the previous round. Josh Coburn and Aidomo Emakhu could see the weekend come a little too soon (Yorkshire Evening Post, 6 February). Aaron Connolly is cup-tied having featured for Sunderland in the previous round.
Shaun Hutchinson, Danny McNamara and Ryan Leonard remain sidelined and Calum Scanlon is a doubt for the Lions, who have been underwhelming in recent FA Cup journeys but famously reached the final as a Championship club in 2004.
Predicted Lineups
Leeds: Darlow, Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Byram, Ampadu, Rothwell, Gnonto, Solomon, Ramazani, Joseph.
Millwall: Jensen, Crama, Tanganga, Cooper, Bryan, Saville, De Norre, Watmore, Bangura-Williams, Cundle, Ivanovic.
Where to watch
Leeds’ encounter with Millwall will not be broadcast anywhere in the UK, but supporters can tune in to BBC Radio Leeds for match coverage.
Viewers based in the Republic of Ireland can watch the encounter live on Premier Sports.
Prediction: Leeds United 2-1 Millwall
While Leeds have been in supreme attacking form of late, Millwall still caused them issues in their last league meeting and Neil’s men will be eager to spring a surprise.
The atmosphere will be tense as usual between the two sets of supporters and should Farke look to rotate, it could take a degree of momentum out of the sails which could provide the in-form visitors with opportunities.
While Millwall have won their last three, it is still anticipated that Leeds will have too much for them going forward and should at least edge this game to seal a place in round five.