Daniel Farke will be delighted with referee booking for Leeds vs Birmingham City
Leeds United are readying themselves for an old-school FA Cup clash with Birmingham City on Sunday.
Daniel Farke‘s side swept aside Derby County 3-1 at Pride Park in the third round on 11 January, and are now looking to keep their Wembley dreams alive this weekend.
Leeds haven’t lifted the FA Cup since 1972, but confidence among the Elland Road faithful will be high that this year could see them go all the way.
However, if they are to pull of a memorable cup run, then they will have to overcome a tough away test at St Andrew’s on Sunday, with Birmingham City sure to be in the mood for an upset.
- Read more: Dominic Calvert-Lewin latest as seven players set miss out in Birmingham City vs Leeds United
Simon Hooper booking is a major plus for Leeds
Birmingham have an excellent record at their iconic St Andrew’s home this season, losing just once in 16 Championship games there so far.
As such, 31 of their 46 league points have come on home soil for Blues, showcasing that if Leeds are to get themselves in the hat for the fifth round, they’re going to be made to work for it.
Chris Davies’ side are in strong form too, having not lost a game in any competition since New Year’s Day, but are coming into the game off the back of a frustrating 0-0 draw at home to West Brom on Tuesday night.
So, this is a fourth round tie that has the feel of being a scrappy, physical affair, that may well be decided simply by which set of players want it more than the other.
And, in cup ties such as those, it always pays to have an official in the middle who understands the nature of the beast, and is perhaps more willing to let certain things go than others would be.
That appears to be what Leeds have with referee Simon Hooper, who is in charge of Sunday’s game, as he’s only every shown one red card to a Whites player in the 21 Leeds games he’s commanded.
Hooper’s last Leeds match he officiated was the 1-1 draw away at Everton on 26 January this year.
Who is the only Leeds player Hooper has sent off?
The player who he sent for an early bath you ask? That was Junior Firpo in a 2-2 draw with Newcastle in May 2023.
Hooper awarded three penalties that day, one to Leeds – that Patrick Bamford missed – and two to Newcastle, both of which were scored by Callum Wilson.
Firpo was sent off in added time at the end of the game after bundling over Bruno Guimaraes just outside the penalty area, as he was the last man and denied a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
For even more Leeds United news and content, head over to Football Insider.