Leeds United will be looking for an easy progress in the FA Cup fourth round when they visit fifth tier National League side Sutton United this Sunday. After their convincing win over Nottingham Forest, the Whites are now just seven points behind second-placed Newcastle United in the Championship League table.
Manager Gary Monk will definitely have an eye on the next Championship game against Blackburn Rovers while fielding his players for the FA Cup fixture. Although Blackburn are dwelling in the relegation zone of the Championship table, they have defeated Championship giants Newcastle United twice this season and Leeds are in no way going to take it lightly.
And to Monk’s dismay, Sutton United have progressed into the fourth round with a shock win over south London rivals AFC Wimbledon 3-1 and will definitely fancy another upset this time. Hence, we expect the English manager to have no choice but to field a strong side against them.
Defence
Robert Greene is expected to start under the bar. The former English international has started 28 times for the club now, conceding 27 goals and having 11 shutouts.
With Charlie Taylor and Liam Cooper not likely to feature in this fixture with Achilles tendon injury and knee injury respectively, we expect to see the same back line that played Nottingham Forest last weekend. Gaetano Berardi and Luke Ayling are likely to take the side-back roles with Kyle Bartley and Pontus Jansson playing as centre-halves.
Jansson returned from his suspension last weekend and is a huge boost for the side. Bartley has already scored four goals from the back this season and will be hoping to add to his tally in this match, although that’s not why he is on the team.
Midfield
Liam Bridcutt is expected to take his position in the central midfield alongside Ronaldo Viera. Viera played just 15 minutes of the game against Nottingham last weekend as Monk decided to start with Eunan O’Kane in the midfield, but we expect the boss to fall back to his main starter against Sutton weekend.
Pablo Hernandez should start in the number 10 position. The Spanish international has been quite impactful this season so far with 3 goals and five assists in 18 appearances. The flanks are likely to be taken by Kemar Roofe and Souleymane Doukara.
Roofe has started almost every game for Leeds this term so far, scoring three goals and five assists, and making the right wing pretty much his own. Doukara came off the bench to score the second and final goal against Nottingham, and we expect him to start this time.
Attack
Leeds are synonymous with one name right now, Chris Wood. The New Zealand forward has been in terrific form this season scoring 17 goals in 27 appearances for the club. He pretty much chooses himself up front.
