Peterborough host Leeds United at Weston Homes Stadium in the Third Round of 2023-24 FA Cup.
Victory would see Peterborough advance beyond this stage for a third time in the last five occasions that they’ve featured in the Third Round.
Leeds meanwhile are looking to advance to the Fourth Round for a second consecutive season, having previously failed to escape this stage in the five previous seasons prior to their last campaign.
Team News
Jonson Clarke-Harris won’t feature for Peterborough after a deal was agreed for the striker to move to Charlton.
Malik Mothersille (heel) is set to return but Romoney Crichlow (back) is a doubt
Nicholas Bilokapic (knock), Will Blackmore (hip), Korey Smith, Jake Rooney (both knee), Elliot Embleton (quad), Martyn Waghorn (calf) and Conor Washington (ankle) remain absent.
Leeds will be without goalkeeper, Karl Darlow after he suffered a thumb injury in training.
Liam Cooper (muscle) is a doubt but Illan Meslier (suspension), Sam Byram (hamstring), Pascal Struijk (adductor) and Stuart Dallas (thigh) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Peterborough host Leeds in a 2pm GMT kick-off on Sunday 7 January at Weston Homes Stadium, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Peterborough have won one of their two previous FA Cup ties against Leeds (W1, L1).
- Leeds are playing Peterborough away from home for the third time in the FA Cup, having won 4-1 in January 1974 then lost 1-0 in January 1986.
- Peterborough have kept just two clean sheets in six home matches against Leeds in all competitions (W2, L4).
- Peterborough have won two of their four home ties against Second-tier opposition this season (W2, D1, L1).
- Leeds have lost three of their last six away ties to lower league opposition (W2, D1, L3).
Prediction
Currently League One’s top goalscoring team, Peterborough certainly can’t be underestimated especially after they mounted a gusty fightback to beat Derby on New Year’s Day, yet their defence can be very leaky at times so a solid defence could well be key here.
Leeds meanwhile have hit an away rut with one win in their last five matches on the road – including defeats in their three recent away trips, but this is a chance for fringe players like Charlie Cresswell, Joe Gelhardt and Wilfried Gnonto to impress with a rare start.
There is little doubt that there will be goals here but Leeds can’t afford to approach this game with a lax attitude given the Posh’s goalscoring form, so I do expect a tough competitive battle which could well go to a replay but I fancy Leeds to nick this given their quality available.
Prediction: Peterborough 1-2 Leeds
Result: Peterborough 0-3 Leeds
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