Accrington Stanley vs Leeds United
Leeds United have not reached the FA Cup fifth round in six seasons, but the Whites have a terrific opportunity to do this year as they take on League One side Accrington Stanley.
The ‘Owd Reds needed a late penalty to get past Boreham Wood in their third-round replay. Meanwhile, Leeds smashed Cardiff 5-2 in their replay, which is their only win in all competitions since early November.
With the FA Cup 2023 odds heavily favouring Leeds, can Jesse Marsch’s men make short work of Accrington Stanley and get build some positive momentum for the second half of the season?
Read on below as SBOTOP previews this upcoming FA Cup fourth-round tie.
Talking Points
Leeds looking to build positive momentum
Leeds United are in a spot of bother in the Premier League. Since getting back-to-back victories over Liverpool and Bournemouth, they have gone six games without a win and are only one point above the relegation zone.
But after coming from two goals down to force a replay, the Whites did get a morale-boosting 5-2 win over Cardiff. Rising star Wilfried Gnonto bagged a brace, including a stunning volley after just 26 seconds that will go down as one of the top FA Cup 2023 highlights. Patrick Bamford also scored two and now has three goals and an assist in his last four appearances as he continues to rediscover his old form.
Unfortunately, Leeds’ attack once again stalled out in their goalless draw at home against Brentford, but they will like their chances of putting a few more goals past Accrington Stanley.
Record signing Rutter may get run out
Jesse Marsch fielded a fairly strong squad for their replay against Cardiff, but he may choose to make a few more changes to his starting lineup similar to their first match against the Bluebirds.
Club-record signing Georginio Rutter could very well be handed his Leeds debut against Accrington Stanley. The 20-year-old, who cost £35.3m from Hoffenheim, was on the bench against Brentford and may get a run out in the cup.
Leading scorer Rodrigo Moreno, who has 12 goals in 21 appearances this season, scored in both matches against Cardiff coming off the bench, so he will be a valuable weapon as a substitute.
Leeds are still not done making signings this transfer window, with American international midfielder Weston McKennie and Moroccan World Cup star Azzedine Ounahi reportedly on their radar. But in the meantime, Marsch may once again turn to young midfielders Sam Greenwood and Darko Gyabi, who were both handed starts against Cardiff.
Accrington Stanley look to spring a surprise
After three straight first-round exits, Accrington Stanley find themselves in the FA Cup fourth round for the first time since 2019.
The ‘Owd Reds needed a late penalty from midfielder Tommy Leigh deep into stoppage time to finally put away Boreham Wood in their third-round replay.
Leigh is the team’s leading scorer with six league goals, although four of those have been from the penalty spot. Leigh has scored in each of his last three games.
Accrington are currently 20th in League One, just one point above the relegation zone. However, their home form, particularly in the FA Cup, has been quite good of late. They are undefeated in their last five games at Crown Ground, with wins in their two FA Cup ties.
History
This will be the first time Accrington Stanley and Leeds will face off in a competitive match since August 2014. The two sides met in a first-round League Cup tie, which the Whites won 2-1 at Elland Road. Prior to that, the two last met in the 2009 EFL Trophy semi-final, which Leeds also won, 2-0.
Leeds’ last trip to the FA Cup fourth round came in 2017, when they were knocked out by non-league Sutton United.
As for Accrington Stanley, aside from three-straight first-round exits, they have also lost three-straight fourth-round ties in the FA Cup, the most recent of which came in 2019.
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