Leeds United’s fans have had their say on Sunday’s FA Cup clash at Birmingham City.
DAVID WATKINS
We get the chance to draw breath this weekend with a rare venture into the FA Cup fourth round.
Let’s be honest, though, we could have drawn a more interesting tie than a trip to St Andrew’s – we’ve been there far too often over the years.
It’s a free hit, and I’m sure Daniel Farke will once again give all of the regular substitutes match minutes to try to keep them in some sort of readiness, just in case, and I’m sure the absentees from the Chelsea game will be omitted from the squad for Sunday.
We did the same at Derby County, of course, and, after an early concession, we came through that comfortably enough, and Birmingham City, currently sitting one place and one point above Derby in the table, will probably offer a similar challenge.
The Blues are on a decent run of form, though – unbeaten in eight games in all competitions.
I’m guessing that Birmingham will also rest a few regular first-teamers; they are only a point outside the play-off places, and that must surely be their bigger prize this season.
I doubt there will be much in it, but I just have a feeling we might be on for a bit of an FA Cup run for once.
Prediction: Birmingham City 2 Leeds United 3.
“They would be foolish not to be interested in”
ANDY RHODES
With two positive league results in the past week, Leeds United now head to Birmingham City in the FA Cup.
Although the league is the clear priority, the Cup offers the Whites a chance at silverware which they would be foolish not to be interested in.
With their fourth round opponents being another Championship side following the victory at Derby in round three, Daniel Farke and his players will fancy their chances.
It remains to be seen what Farke will do with his team. Dominic Calvert-Lewin and other key players are unlikely to be risked, but Leeds put out a strong team at Derby.
It would be good to see some of the fringe players get more minutes.
Willy Gnonto and Joel Piroe could yet be important in the league, while it was positive seeing Dan James return last week.
Leeds are making positive strides on multiple fronts at the moment.
If we had to choose, many would pick league survival, but it’s good to keep the FA Cup fairytale alive, isn’t it?
Prediction: Birmingham City 2 Leeds United 3.
“Take this chance with both feet”
KEITH INGHAM
After trailing by two goals, Leeds staged a stunning turn-around with goals from Lukas Nmecha and Noah Okafor to send the away section into raptures at Chelsea on Tuesday.
Leeds had ‘Lady Luck’ on their side in injury time when Cole Palmer hit one over the bar from a yard out. The gap remains at six points to 18th and also Leeds moved above Spurs in the table, who lost at home to Newcastle.
Sunday brings a trip to Birmingham in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
It’s a nice change from the tough set of fixtures that they have faced and those to come in the coming weeks.
Daniel Farke changed nearly all his team for the previous round at Derby. I’d expect him to do the same again. Lucas Perri, Sean Longstaff, Willy Gnonto, Ao Tanaka, Lukas Nmecha, Joel Piroe and Facundo Bounanotte could come in.
City are 10th in the Championship and are unbeaten in their last six league and cup games. Last Saturday they beat relegation-threatened Leicester 2-1 at St Andrew’s.
I’d still love to give the FA Cup a good go, a positive result would hopefully give the players chosen an opportunity to show that they could be important in the games to come. Hopefully they take this chance with both feet.
Prediction: Birmingham 1 Leeds United 2.
“Noisily encouraged by 5,500 disciples”
NEIL GREWER
Following the absolutely mad game on Tuesday where ‘Lady Luck’ for once favoured Leeds United, confidence will be high for Sunday’s FA Cup game at Birmingham City.
The league position and points are such that we can enjoy this Cup distraction and Daniel Farke can use the opportunity to reward his squad players with minutes with no risks being taken.
So, noisily encouraged by 5,500 disciples, a changed Leeds team should still be too strong for the Blues – in the same vein as Leeds had too much class for Derby in the last round.
I would expect starts for Sam Bryam, Ao Tanaka, Sean Longstaff, Willy Gnonto, Dan James, Joel Piroe and Facundo Bounanotte but a formation change will be required to accommodate them.
Formation changes are something we are becoming accustomed to, both before and during games and Farke deserves credit for this approach which has clearly worked recently.
Those likely starters mentioned are predominantly of an attacking nature so some defensive stalwarts will still be required, although like the Derby game, it may well be a walk in the park for those required.
Prediction: Birmingham City 1 Leeds United 2.
“Likely to take this fixture very seriously”
After two excellent results in the Premier League against Nottingham Forest and Chelsea, our thoughts turn to the FA Cup and a trip to Birmingham for Sunday’s noon kick off.
It should be a good opportunity for a number of players to add some vital game-time with the dizzying prospect of progression to the fifth round on offer.
With the current mood of positivity that abounds in the club, United are likely to take this fixture very seriously.
Birmingham are a point shy of the Championship play-off places but they have played one more game than Wrexham who sit in sixth position.
The Blues started 2026 with a 3-0 defeat at Watford on New Year’s Day but they are unbeaten since then.
Cambridge United were their opponents in the third round of the Cup, so they will be pleased to show what they can do against a Premier League club.
Provided that Daniel Farke does not make too many changes, I’m expecting United to win this one!
Prediction: Birmingham City 2 Leeds United 3.
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