FA Cup | Third Round

Jan 11, 2025 at 5.45pm UK

Elland Road

Leeds vs Harrogate

Match preview

It should be a routine afternoon for 1972 winners Leeds, given the gap between the sides in the Pyramid, with the home side at the top of the Championship and Harrogate struggling at the bottom of League Two.

Daniel Farke's side are unbeaten in eight games, winning five, and have moved to the top of the Championship in recent weeks, where they remain despite dropping two points at Hull City last weekend.

However, promotion matters will be put on the backburner for the time being as attention turns to the cup as Leeds look to progress beyond the third round for the third successive season.

Having been knocked out at this stage five years in a row between 2018 and 2022, Leeds have now reached the fifth round in successive seasons, and have been handed a favourable draw in the hope of an even better run this time around.

Harrogate's rise through the divisions in recent years has seen them become regulars in the FA Cup proper, and they will not be making the short trip without hope, with Leeds having won just one of their last five matches against fourth-tier opposition in the competition.

However, the Whites are unbeaten at home in the FA Cup since losing to Arsenal in the 2010-11 season, winning three and drawing two of those games.

The hosts have also progressed from four of their last five FA Cup ties against fellow Yorkshire clubs, most recently against Rotherham United in 2016.

For Harrogate, this will be only the second third-round tie in their history, the only other ending in a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Luton Town in 2022.

The Sulphurites may be able to keep things tight at the back, having not conceded in the FA Cup so far this season.

A hugely impressive 1-0 win over Wrexham got them through the first round, before they made little fuss over Gainsborough Trinity to get this far.

However, the visitors have suffered some painful defeats in the competition in recent years, with the Luton result coming a year after they were also beaten 4-0 by Blackpool, while Bolton Wanderers thrashed them 5-1 last season.

However, Simon Weaver's men will go into the game full of confidence after getting back to winning ways last weekend, when they beat Barrow 2-0 to move five points clear of the relegation zone in League Two and above Swindon Town in 21st.

With only three points separating them from 15th, Harrogate know that a couple of good results will keep them out of trouble, so those worries can be put to one side for the time being and they can enjoy this potentially big cup tie.

Recent Performance

Leeds United form (all competitions):DWWWDD

Harrogate Town FA Cup form:WW

Harrogate Town form (all competitions):LLLDLW

Team News

The quality of the opposition and the importance of winning promotion this season means that Leeds are likely to make a number of changes for this clash.

Joe Gelhardt could get a run in the side if he is fit enough to return, but Ilia Gruev and Junior Firpo will miss out through injury.

Leeds have a healthy squad and Farke will look to make the most of it, with Mateo Joseph, Josuha Guilavogui and Largie Ramazani all in contention to start, while Karl Darlow could also replace Illan Meslier in goal.

Harrogate will be without top scorer Ellis Taylor through injury, as well as fellow midfielders George Thomson and Josh Falkingham.

The visitors will also be without a number of defensive options with Liam Gibson and James Moorby both sidelined, but after some excellent performances from Anthony O'Connor and Jasper Moon last weekend, they will be hoping to frustrate Leeds.

Possible starting lineup

Leeds United possible starting lineup:

Darlow; Byram, Debayo, Ampadu, Wober; Guilavogui, Tanaka; Ramazani, Schmidt, Joseph; Bamford

Harrogate Town possible starting lineup:

Belshaw; Moon, O'Connor, Burrell; Sims, Cornelius, Sutton, Morris, Daly; Muldoon, March