Fulham vs Leeds United – Tuesday 7:45pm
Fulham have already beaten Leeds 3-2 this season and will be confident of keeping their six-match unbeaten record going at Craven Cottage.
The Cottagers defeated Jesse Marsch’s Leeds in October, but the Whites are under new management now after Javi Gracia arrived and steered them to victory over Southampton.
That victory was crucial for Leeds who had been on a nine-match winless run in the league.
Junior Firpo grabbed the all-important goal with an effort which bobbled under goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu. It was a far from convincing win, but Leeds did dominate possession and did try to get on the front foot without creating too many chances.
Gracia made just one change to the side with Brenden Aaronson coming into the team as the former Watford coach kept faith with the side that lost narrowly at Everton.
Gracia acknowledged the importance of the win and he may well make some changes for the FA Cup tie.
Leeds face an out-of-form Chelsea in the league on Saturday and that could well be seen as a chance to pick up points rather than the free hit it might have been previously.
Chelsea cannot buy a win and Gracia may just save back some of his key players for Stamford Bridge.
Marc Roca, Crysencio Summerville and Rasmus Kristensen could all get run-outs with Gracia most likely to be focused on the Chelsea game.
Gracia’s brief will undoubtedly be to keep Leeds up and the FA Cup may just be a hindrance to him.
Fulham drew with Wolves on Friday night and are on a six-match unbeaten run. They have lost just three times at home in the league and won six times from 13 games, scoring 21 times.
They will present Leeds with a tough task and look a decent price at odds against.
Leeds have lost eight of their 12 away games and just how they will set up away from home remains to be seen.
Fulham are unlikely to risk Aleksandar Mitrovic, but Joao Palhinha will start before he begins a two-match Premier League suspension.
Winger Manor Solomon scored off the bench for the third game running on Friday night and he could start.
While the hosts have seen over 2.5 goals in five of their last six games against Leeds, the recent form suggests otherwise.
Fulham have seen under 2.5 goals in last seven league games, while Leeds have seen the unders register in their last five.
It could be a night of few goals, but back the hosts to get the one or two they need to get into the sixth round.
Key stats
- Fulham have seen over 2.5 goals in five of their last six matches vs Leeds in all competitions
- Leeds have won four of their last five games vs Fulham in all competitions
- Fulham won the last meeting between the sides 3-2 in October
- Leeds have seen under 2.5 goals in their last five PL games
- Leeds have scored once in last five PL games, but that was last time out vs Southampton
- Fulham have seen under 2.5 goals in last seven PL games
- Fulham are unbeaten in six games in all competitions
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