League One side Accrington Stanley play host to Premier League outfit Leeds United at the Wham Stadium in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday.
The hosts are looking to reach the fifth round for the first time in their history, while the visitors are seeking to advance to the same stage for the first time since the 2015-16 campaign under former boss Steve Evans.
Match preview
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After securing a slender 1-0 win over Barnet in the FA Cup second round, Accrington appeared to be heading for the same result in the third round against Boreham Wood, only for Lee Ndlovu to force a replay with a 78th-minute equaliser.
Stanley were then put through their paces by the National League side on home soil and required extra time to book their place in the fourth round, with top scorer Tommy Leigh converting a 97th-minute winner from the penalty spot to set up an intriguing tie with Leeds.
John Coleman has managed over 1,000 games during two managerial spells with Accrington, with his second stint beginning on September 18, 2014, 37 days after Stanley lost an EFL Cup tie 2-1 away against Leeds, which was their last meeting with the West Yorkshire side.
Accrington, who currently sit just one point and once place above the League One relegation zone, head into Saturday's contest unbeaten in each of their last five matches at the Wham Stadium.
However, they have lost each of their previous three FA Cup fourth-round ties, with each defeat coming against teams from a higher division.
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Leeds also required a third-round replay to defeat lower-league opposition after rescuing a 2-2 draw away against Cardiff City, but they had few problems in the reverse fixture, securing a dominant 5-2 victory at Elland Road just over a week ago.
Wilfried Gnonto and Patrick Bamford both scored a brace, while top scorer Rodrigo also found the net before Callum Robinson scored two consolation goals for the Bluebirds in the closing stages.
The goals then dried up in Leeds' next fixture, as they played out a goalless stalemate at home to Brentford in the Premier League last weekend, a result that extended their winless league streak to six matches and leaves them 15th in the table, just one point above the relegation zone.
Jesse Marsch will be hoping that a victory for his side against Accrington on Saturday can act as a springboard for a much-needed positive run of form as they bid to improve their fortunes in both the top flight and the FA Cup.
Leeds are competing in the FA Cup fourth round for the first time since 2017 when they suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Sutton United. The Whites have since been beaten by lower-league teams Newport County and Crawley Town in 2018 and 2021 respectively, and Whites supporters will be desperate to see their side avoid another disappointing exit on Saturday.
Team News
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Accrington trio Joe Pritchard, Jay Rich-Baghuelou and David Morgan are ruled out for the rest of the season due to injury, while Matt Lowe is set to remain sidelined for the next six weeks.
Mitchell Clark and Seamus Conneely are also nursing injuries and are still at least a few weeks away from returning, but Mohammed Sangare is closing in on a return, although Saturday's game will come too soon for the midfielder.
Michael Nottingham started his first game since April in the win over Boreham Wood after recovering from a long-term foot injury, but the defender came off in the 34th minute and he is now a doubt for Saturday.
Leigh is expected to lead the line once again, while the likes of Shaun Whalley, Ethan Hamilton, Sean McConville and Ryan Astley are all in line to keep their places in the first XI.
As for Leeds, Liam Cooper and Tyler Adams are both doubtful with knocks, while Adam Forshaw (groin), Stuart Dallas (leg), Crysencio Summerville and Archie Gray (both ankle) all remain sidelined for Saturday.
Marsch has confirmed that winger Luis Sinisterra "will play" after recovering from a foot problem, while there is a "high probability" that club-record signing Georginio Rutter will be handed his full debut in attack.
The likes of Joel Robles, Darko Gyabi, Sonny Perkins and Mateo Joseph Fernandez who were all given run-outs in the third round away at Cardiff, will all be pushing for a starting berth.
Accrington Stanley possible starting lineup:
Savin; Rodgers, Astley, Tharme; Whalley, Martin, Coyle, Hamilton, McConville; Pressley, Leigh
Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Robles; Ayling, Llorente, Wober, Firpo; Roca, Gyabi; Greenwood, Harrison, Sinisterra; Rutter
We say: Accrington Stanley 1-3 Leeds United
Coleman will be hoping that his Accrington side relish the opportunity of going toe-to-toe with Leeds as they bid to pull off a giant-killing in front of their home supporters and the TV cameras at the Wham Stadium.
However, Leeds will be confident of replicating their clinical showing against Cardiff when they travel to Lancashire, and they should have few problems progressing to the fifth round.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Oliver Thomas
