Fulham vs Leeds United

Fulham and Leeds United are set to trade tackles in a handsomely-looking FA Cup fifth-round encounter at Craven Cottage.

Fulham failed to take full advantage of Newcastle United’s League Cup commitments as a 1-1 home draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the weekend saw them reduce the gap on European placings to two points. However, unbeaten in their last six competitive outings (W3, D3), Marco Silva’s men will take the field in high spirits, looking to make their wins over Hull City and Sunderland in the opening two FA Cup rounds count. Having reached round five for the first time since 2016/17, the ‘Cottagers’ are now keen to go one better and advance into the quarter-finals for the first time since 2009/10. Fulham ousted Leeds 3-2 at Elland Road in the Premier League earlier this season and could beat them twice the same campaign for the first time since 1959/60.

On the other hand, new Leeds United boss Javi Garcia painted his touchline debut with flying colors, inspiring his side to a crucial 1-0 home win in last weekend’s Premier League relegation six-pointer against Southampton. While Leeds’ hopes of securing a fourth consecutive top-flight season remain up in the air, the ‘Whites’ are on the hunt for a first FA Cup quarter-final berth since 2002/03 after dispatching second-tier Cardiff City and League One outfit Accrington Stanley in the opening two rounds. However, they’ve not fared well against Premier League clubs, losing their last five FA Cup matches against fellow top-flight tenants without scoring a single goal. Moreover, they’ve lost three of their four most recent league travels against Premier League adversaries (D1).